Morus Bombycis Research Articles

Morusin Inhibits RANKL-induced Osteoclastogenesis and Ovariectomized Osteoporosis.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a classic type of osteoporosis that has gradually become a significant health problem worldwide. There is an urgent need for a safe alternative therapeutic agent considering the poor therapeutic strategies currently available for this disease. The roots and bark of the Morus australis tree (Moraceae) are used to make a traditional Chinese medicine known as "Morusin", and accumulating evidence has demonstrated its multiple activities, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. In this study, we aim to explore the effect of Morusin on mouse osteoclasts and its mechanism. In this study, we explored the inhibitory effects of Morusin on murine osteoclasts in vitro and its mechanism, and the protective effect of Morusin on an ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis model in vivo. The results showed that Morusin prevented OVX-induced bone loss and dramatically decreased RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Morusin interfered with RANKL-activated NF- κB, MAPK, and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. The expression of three master factors that control osteoclast differentiation, c-Fos, NFATc1, and c-Jun, was reduced by Morusin treatment. Collectively, in vitro results indicated that Morusin has a protective effect on OVX-induced bone loss in a mouse model. Our data provide encouraging evidence that Morusin may be an effective treatment for PMOP.

Variation in reproductive traits associated with different host plants in the subsocial bug Elasmucha putoni (Hemiptera: Acanthosomatidae)

ABSTRACTHost plants are an important selective factor for the evolution of reproductive traits in herbivorous insects. Among different host plants, offspring will be exposed to different environmental conditions, and parents are expected to allocate reproductive resources adaptively to their offspring according to such environmental heterogeneity. Elasmucha putoni Scott (Hemiptera: Acanthosomatidae) is a bivoltine shield bug showing maternal care. We examined the variation in reproductive traits, that is, egg size, clutch size and the trade‐off between them, between two generations of a population and two populations of the same (later) generation, which differ in their host plants. Controlling for female body size, a significant difference was detected in egg size, but not in clutch size between the earlier generation on Morus australis and the later one on Euptelea polyandra or Rosa multiflora. Moreover, there was no difference in the two traits between the populations (one using E. polyandra and another using R. multiflora) of the same generation. A significant trade‐off between egg size and clutch size was detected in the earlier generation on M. australis but not in the later generation on E. polyandra or R. multiflora. This is the first study indicating variable reproductive allocation according to different host plants in herbivorous insects with maternal care.

New indole alkaloid Morucolletotricin from endophytic fungus Colletotrichum queenslandicum associated with Morus australis Poir. Leaf

Six compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of endophytic fungus Colletotrichum queenslandicum derived from Morus australis Poir. leaf. Based on NMR and MS data led to characterised of these compounds including one new indole alkaloid Morucolletotricin (1) along with two other indole alkaloids; tryptopol (2) and indole-3-acetic acid (3), phomopyronol (4), 2-(3-aminophenyl)acetic acid (5) and ergosterol (6). phomopyronol (4) and 2-(3-aminophenyl)acetic acid (5) were first reported from Colletotrichum fungi. The cytotoxic activity of compounds 1-6 was evaluated against murine leukaemia P-388 cells and showed that all compounds were moderate cytotoxic. phomopyronol (4) was the most active among the five other compounds with IC50 = 37.17 μg/mL.

An Arylbenzofuran, Stilbene Dimers, and Prenylated Diels-Alder Adducts as Potent Diabetic Inhibitors from Morus bombycis Leaves.

Morus bombycis has a long history of usage as a treatment for metabolic diseases, especially, diabetes mellitus (DM). Thus, we aimed to isolate and evaluate bioactive constituents derived from M. bombycis leaves for the treatment of DM. According to bioassay-guided isolation by column chromatography, eight compounds were obtained from M. bombycis leaves: two phenolic compounds, p-coumaric acid (1) and chlorogenic acid methyl ester (2), one stilbene, oxyresveratrol (3), two stilbene dimers, macrourin B (4) and austrafuran C (6), one 2-arylbenzofuran, moracin M (5), and two Diels-Alder type adducts, mulberrofuran F (7) and chalcomoracin (8). Among the eight isolated compounds, the anti-DM activity of 3-8 (which possess chemotaxonomic significance in Morus species) was evaluated by inhibition of α-glucosidase, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), human recombinant aldose reductase (HRAR), and advanced glycation end-product (AGE) formation as well as by scavenging peroxynitrite (ONOO-), which are crucial therapeutic targets of DM and its complications. Compounds 4 and 6-8 significantly inhibited α-glucosidase, PTP1B, and HRAR enzymes with mixed-type and non-competitive-type inhibition modes. Furthermore, the four compounds had low negative binding energies in both enzymes according to molecular docking simulation, and compounds 3-8 exhibited strong antioxidant capacity by inhibiting AGE formation and ONOO- scavenging. Overall results suggested that the most active stilbene-dimer-type compounds (4 and 6) along with Diels-Alder type adducts (7 and 8) could be promising therapeutic and preventive resources against DM and have the potential to be used as antioxidants, anti-diabetic agents, and anti-diabetic complication agents.

Nutrient types for explants in in-vitro propagation of mulberries and microcloning indicators of mother material

Uzbek hybrid (♀Oshima I2N2 (Morus bombycis Koidz.)× ♂SANIIsh-25 (Morus multicaulis Perr.)) obtained by crossing the mulberry tree, obtained by selection in vitro from Jarariq-9 variety Murasige Skug (MS), Woody Plant Medium (WPM) and Driver and Kuniyuki (DKW) medium were used to obtain and develop explants. The average germination time of the explant in the WPM (standard) main nutrient medium in Uzbekistan hybrid, day-7.3 MS-6.6 days, DKW-7.6 days, but opening from the explant in WPM-56.8, MS-51.06%; DKW was observed to be 73.13%. It was observed that total shoot germination was MS-74.73 %; WPM-71.46%; DKW-78.86 %. It is determined that the indicators of Jarariq-9 variety compared to the indicators of the Uzbekistan hybrid, the average germination time of the explant in the WPM (standard) main nutrient medium is 7.6 days, MS-8.33 days, DKW-8 days, bud opening from the explant is 76.2% in WPM, MS-53.5%; and, DKW-74.4%

Inhibition of α-glucosidase activity by Morus australis fruit food

Inhibition of α-glucosidase activity by Morus australis fruit food

Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase by Morus australis fruit extract and its components iminosugar, anthocyanin, and glucose.

The inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase are important for the maintenance of blood glucose level. Mammalian α-glucosidase includes maltase-glucoamylase and sucrase-isomaltase complexes. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of Morus australis fruit extract and its components, that is, three iminosugars (1-deoxynojirimycin [1-DNJ], fagomine, and 2-O-α-D-galactopyranosyl deoxynojirimycin), two anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside), and glucose, against α-amylase and α-glucosidase. We also quantified the concentration of each component in M. australis fruit extract. The IC50 values of the fruit extracts of four M. australis subspecies were >10 mg/ml for α-amylase, 1.1-1.7 mg/ml for maltase, 6.9-8.6 mg/ml for glucoamylase, 0.13-1.0 mg/ml for sucrase, and 0.46-1.4 mg/ml for isomaltase. When the IC50 value of each component and the concentration of each component in the fruit extract were taken into consideration, our results indicated that glucose are involved in the inhibition of α-amylase, and 1-DNJ and glucose are involved in the inhibition of α-glucosidase. This is in contrast to that in M. australis leaf, neither anthocyanin nor glucose are contained, and 1-DNJ is a main inhibitor. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: It is widely accepted that inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase is one of the strategies to treat type-2 diabetes. Today, acarbose, miglitol, and voglibose are clinically used for this purpose. Our results that 1-DNJ and anthocyanin are present in Morus australis fruit and are involved in the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase suggest that M. australis fruit is a healthy sweetener.

Microsatellite markers reveal genetic differentiation of an invasive mulberry, Morus australis Poir. (Moraceae), among the island groups in Japan and its introduction to the Ogasawara Islands

Microsatellite markers reveal genetic differentiation of an invasive mulberry, <i>Morus australis</i> Poir. (Moraceae), among the island groups in Japan and its introduction to the Ogasawara Islands

Microsatellite Markers Reveal Genetic Differentiation of an Invasive Mulberry, Morus australis Poir. (Moraceae), among the Island Groups in Japan and its Introduction to the Ogasawara Islands

Microsatellite Markers Reveal Genetic Differentiation of an Invasive Mulberry, <i>Morus australis </i>Poir. (Moraceae), among the Island Groups in Japan and its Introduction to the Ogasawara Islands

ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC EFFECT OF THE ETHANOL EXTRACT FRACTION FROM MULBERRY (MORUS AUSTRALIS POIR.) LEAVES ON RATS INDUCED HIGH FAT-DIET (HFD) AND PROPYLTHIOURACIL (PTU)

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of extract and its fraction (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and water) of the mulberry leaf (Morus australis Poir.) in reducing triglyceride and total cholesterol levels on HFD and PTU induced rats.&#x0D; Methods: In this study, mulberry leaves were collected from East Nusa Tenggara-Indonesia, extracted using maceration method, and fractionated with various solvents. The thin layer chromatography with silica gel 60 F254 was utilized to identify the active compound on both extract and fraction. Furthermore, using a quasi-experimental with control group design, this study employed 40 healthy male Wistar rats and divided into 8 groups, namely: normal and negative control, positive controls (simvastatin and gemfibrozil), ethanolic extract, and fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and water). All groups were fed with a high cholesterol diet and 0.01% PTU, except for the normal group. During the study, the blood was drawn at day 0, 28, 35, and 42. The triglyceride level was observed using Glycerophosphate-Oxidase Phenol Aminoantipyrine (GPO-PAP) method, while the total cholesterol was measured by Cholesterol Oxidase Phenol Aminoantipyrine (CHOD-PAP).&#x0D; Results: On the 42nd day, ethyl fraction of mulberry leaf (Morus australis Poir.) showed the most significant result of reducing the level of triglyceride and total cholesterol compared to the high-fat diet and PTU induced rat on day 0: triglyceride of 104.89±2.70 mg/dl vs 64.76±1.97 mg/dl and total cholesterol of 96.70±2.45 vs 88.02±1.38 mg/dl. Ethyl acetate fraction was similar to simvastatin in lowering the level of total cholesterol. TLC identification also showed that mulberry leaf contains flavonoids and polyphenols that act as anti-hyperlipidemic.&#x0D; Conclusion: Ethyl acetate fraction of mulberry leaf (Morus australis Poir.) showed best activity on lowering both triglyceride and total cholesterol.

The effect of feeding various species of mulberry (Morus spp.) on the growth of silkworm and quality of cocoon hybrid BS 09

Hybrid silkworm varieties, mulberry species, environmental factors, and rearing factors are essential for the cocoons’ quality. The species of silkworm feeding is a key factor in the sericulture industry, so the suitability of mulberry species for each silkworm hybrid species needs to be known. This study aimed to determine the effect of mulberry species on silkworm growth and quality of cocoons BS 09. The research method used was a randomized block design with four species of mulberry: Morus bombycis var Lembang, M. cathayana, M. multicaulis, and M. alba var Kanva 2 and one control species (mixed mulberry species). The research was carried out at Dramaga Research Forest, Bogor Regency. The determined parameters were the percentage of rearing, larva weight, cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, and percentage of cocoon shell. The experiment results showed that the percentage of rearing was 97.5%-100% for all species of mulberry. The best result of the cocoon weight was feed treatment of M. multicaulis (1.89 g), but it was not significant with feed treatment of M. bombycis var Lembang or M. cathayana or M. alba var Kanva 2. M. cathayana feed treatments give the best results for the cocoon shell weight (0.44 gram) and percentage of cocoon shell (22.82%).

Fisetin, a major component derived from mulberry (Morus australis Poir.) leaves, prevents vascular abnormal contraction.

Mulberry (Morus australis Poir.) leaves have long been consumed in the form of tea or tincture especially in Asia, owing to their high antioxidant and blood pressure‐regulating properties. Although it is thought that vascular abnormal contraction may be involved in the blood pressure‐suppressing effect, the effect of mulberry on vascular abnormal contraction is still unknown. Therefore, we investigated mulberry leaves as a potential source of bioactive compounds that prevent vascular abnormal contraction. Mulberry leaves were divided into fresh leaves and tea leaves and further classified according to the age of the tree: more or less than 20 years old, into roasted and unroasted. Mulberry fruits were also evaluated. We assessed the preventive effect of mulberry extracts on vascular abnormal contraction. Extracts from mulberry leaves of trees more than 20 years old showed a strong preventive effect on vascular abnormal contraction of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells. Therefore, to identify the active components in mulberry leaves, we fractionated the active fractions by gel filtration chromatography and reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. The active fraction was further analyzed by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance; an active component of the mulberry leaf extract was fisetin. In addition, our results indicated that the hydroxyl group at the C‐3 position of fisetin is crucial for its activity. These results prove that fisetin is effective in preventing vascular abnormal contraction. Overall, mulberry leaves and fisetin are expected to be used in a wide range of fields such as functional foods, nutraceuticals, and drug targets.

Plant-insect communication in urban forests: Similarities of plant volatile compositions among tree species (host vs. non-host trees) for alder leaf beetle Agelastica coerulea

Behavior of insects, such as pollination and grazing, is usually determined by biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). However, particularly in O3-polluted urban forests, the BVOCs-based plant-insect communication can be disrupted by the reaction of O3 with leaf-emitted BVOCs, such as between Japanese white birch (Betula platyphylla var. japonica) and a leaf beetle (Agelastica coerulea). To understand plant-insect communication in O3-polluted environments, it is necessary to identify chemical species of BVOCs that contribute to attractiveness toward insects but are diminished by elevated O3. In this study, we conducted olfactory response tests and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses to clarify whether there is a similarity of BVOC components among Betulaceae host trees that can explain the attraction of the stenophagous insect A. coerulea. The olfactory response tests indicated that Betulaceae host trees attract A. coerulea via leaf-emitted BVOCs, while there was no preference of the leaf beetles to non-host trees (Sorbus commixta and Morus bombycis). However, GC-MS analyses indicated that the composition of BVOC blends considerably differed among Betulaceae host trees, although alders (Alnus hirsuta and A. japonica) had a similar composition of BVOC blend in each season (June and September) during which the adult leaf beetle is active. A distinct characteristic of the emission from B. platyphylla was that 2-carene and limonene, which are O3-reactive species, were emitted with a high monoterpene ratio irrespective of the season. Thus, these volatiles and the blend could be expected to lead the disrupted communication found between B. platyphylla and A. coerulea under elevated O3 in previous field studies. In addition, our results indicated that A. coerulea is attracted to more than one blend within Betulaceae host trees, suggesting that grazing damages can be affected by different host preferences and O3 reactivity with specific BVOCs in the field. BVOCs-based plant-insect interactions should be further studied in multi-species communities to better understand plant-insect communication in O3-polluted environments.

Evaluation of Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Selected Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants are important reservoirs of bioactive compounds that need to be explored systematically. Because of their chemical diversity, natural products provide limitless possibilities for new drug discovery. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical properties of crude extracts from fifteen Nepalese medicinal plants. The total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), and antioxidant activity were evaluated through a colorimetric approach while the antibacterial activities were studied through the measurement of the zone of inhibition (ZoI) by agar well diffusion method along with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) by broth dilution method. The methanolic extracts of Acacia catechu and Eupoterium adenophorum showed the highest TPC (55.21 ± 11.09 mg GAE/gm) and TFC (10.23 ± 1.07 mg QE/gm) among the studied plant extracts. Acacia catechu showed effective antioxidant properties with an IC50 value of 1.3 μg/mL, followed by extracts of Myrica esculenta, Syzygium cumini, and Mangifera indica. Morus australis exhibited antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (ZoI: 25mm, MIC: 0.012 mg/mL), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (ZoI: 22 mm, MIC: 0.012 mg/mL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ZoI; 20 mm, MIC: 0.05 mg/mL), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (ZoI: 19 mm, MIC: 0.19 mg/mL). Morus australis extract showed a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, followed by Eclipta prostrata, and Hypericum cordifolium. Future study is recommended to explore secondary metabolites of those medicinal plants to uncover further clinical efficacy.

Anti-Cholesterolemic Activity of Mulberry (Morus australis Poir) Ethanol Extract in Increasing HDL Levels and Inhibiting Formation of Foam Cells on Rat

Mulberry leaves are one of the medicinal plants empirically used by people to reduce cholesterol levels. Previous study found that mulberry leaves contain flavonoids, act as cholesterol-lowering and tannins function to inhibit the absorption of food, including fat in the GI tract. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of mulberry leaf ethanol extract on increased HDL levels and to determine the inhibition of the formation of foam cells in male Wistar strain rats given the atherogenic diet. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into six groups, which were normal group, negative control, positive control, and three groups of mulberry leaf extract at a dose of 25, 50, and 100 mg/200g BW rats, respectively. The HDL levels were measured pre- and post- treatment on days 0, 28, 35 and 42. The results showed that the most effective dose augmenting the HDL as well as inhibited the formation of aortic wall foam cell was the ethanol extract at a dose of 100 mg/200 g BW. In conclusion, mulberry leaves ethanolic extract have the potency to be developed as a natural cholesterol-lowering agent.

Inhibitory effect of Morus australis leaf extract and its component iminosugars on intestinal carbohydrate-digesting enzymes

α-Amylase and α-glucosidase are central enzymes involved in the digestion of carbohydrates. α-Glucosidase includes maltase-glucoamylase and sucrase-isomaltase. We have previously performed the kinetic analysis of the inhibitory effects of powdered or roasted Morus australis leaf extract and its component iminosugars, such as 1-deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ), fagomine, and 2-O-α-d-galactopyranosyl deoxynojirimycin (GAL-DNJ) on the activity of maltase. In this study, we analyzed the inhibitory effects of the aforementioned compounds against α-amylase, glucoamylase, sucrase, and isomaltase. At pH 6.0 and 37°C, each leaf extract sample inhibited glucoamylase, sucrase, and isomaltase but not α-amylase. 1-DNJ and fagomine showed weak α-amylase inhibitory activity while GAL-DNJ exhibited none. 1-DNJ showed a strong glucoamylase, sucrase, and isomaltase inhibitory potential. The inhibitory potential against these three enzymes was 18-500 and 1500-3000-fold higher in the case of 1-DNJ than that observed in the case of fagomine and GAL-DNJ, respectively. We also observed that the indigestible dextrin could considerably inhibit α-amylase. When the powdered M.australis leaf extract was blended with indigestible dextrin, the mixture inhibited α-amylase, as well as maltase, glucoamylase, sucrase, and isomaltase. These results suggest that the ingestion of the leaf extract blended with indigestible dextrin might have the potential to efficiently suppress the postprandial blood glucose level increase.

Micropropagation of Mountain Mulberry (Morus bombycis Koidz.) 'Kenmochi' on Cytokinin-Free Medium.

The aim of the study was to compare two methods of micropropagation of mulberry: single-node culture (“SNC”), and axillary-branching (“AxB”). The experiments were carried out on in vitro cultures for 6 successive passages. The “AxB” cultures were propagated on modified MS medium (+ 25% Ca2+ and Mg2+), supplemented with WPM vitamins, sucrose (30 g L−1), and BA (1.5 mg l-1). The “SNC” cultures were grown on cytokinin-free 1/2 MS (macro- and micronutrients) medium supplemented with WPM vitamins, IBA (0.05 mg l-1), and sucrose (15 g l-1). Both media (pH 5.8) were solidified with agar (7.0 g l-1). Initiation of in vitro cultures from explants taken from adult trees and young, potted plants was feasible on both media. Cultures were established from about 1 cm long nodal explants. Generally “SNC” cultures formed one well rooted, significantly longer axillary shoot with bigger leaves than “AxB” cultures, which developed significantly more shoots and big callus at the explant base. All shoots collected from “SNC” and “AxB” cultures rooted in vivo in peat mixture and developed into similar plantlets. The single-node method based on application of cytokinin-free medium is a good alternative for the axillary-branching method for micropropagation of mountain mulberry (Morus bombycis) ‘Kenmochi”’.

Kinetic analysis of inhibition of α-glucosidase by leaf powder from Morus australis and its component iminosugars.

1-DNJ: 1-deoxynojirimycin; GAL-DNJ: 2-O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-DNJ.

Evaluation of the Biological Activities of Berries as an Inner Beauty Ingredient

Purpose: It has investigated the applicability of berries, which are significantly used in Korea, such as aronia (Aronia melanocarpa , AM), blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum, VC), raspberry (Rubus coreanus Miquel, RCM), blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L, RFL), mulberry (Morus bombycis Koidz, MBK), and cherry (Prunus avium L, PA) as Inner Beauty Ingredients. Methods: After freeze-drying of these six berries, we measured the contents of Vitamin C and β-Carotene. We also measured MTT assay, NO (nitric oxide) assay, total polyphenol assay, and 2,2-diphenyl-1- picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free radical-scavenging activities to evaluate safety and biological activity (anti-inflammatory and antioxidation) using freeze-dried hotwater extracts from the berries. Besides, we obtained the correlation between active ingredients from the berries and biological activities. Results: It showed the highest results: mulberry for Vitamin C, aronia for β-carotene, and raspberry for total polyphenol assay, raspberry followed by aronia for DPPH free radical-scavenging activities; and aronia, blueberry, followed by raspberry for NO inhibitory effect. From these results, we confirmed that total polyphenol was highly associated with biological activities such as NO inhibition and antioxidant activity. Conclusion: Berry compounds will bring a synergistic effect as a tea or mist type, and we anticipate seeing future studies about antibacterial, whitening, and anti-wrinkle effects.

Nutritional Effects of Three Mulberry Varieties on Silkworms in Torbat Heydarieh

This research was conducted to evaluate and compare the performance of the silkworm hybrid p31×p32 reared with three varieties of mulberry leaves. In this study, the silkworms were fed with leaves from Kenmochi (Morus bombycis), native mulberry (Morus alba L.), and black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) trees and their influence on the leaf ingested, leaf digested, cocoon weight, efficiency of feed consumption to cocoon shell, efficiency of digested feed to cocoon shell weight, efficiency of digested feed to cocoon weight, and efficiency of feed consumption to cocoon weight was studied in the Torbat Heydarieh region. The results showed that silkworms that consumed leaves of Kenmochi had better performance. Also, they had better performance for traits of cocoon shell weight, feed efficiency to cocoon shell weight, and feed efficiency to cocoon weight. Therefore, Kenmochi tree is suggested for development of sericulture in the region.