Mulberry Twigs Research Articles

Oxyresveratrol: A Potential Pharmacological Prospective Against Neurodegenerative Diseases

Oxyresveratrol (OXY) is a polyphenolic compound found in various plants, including the heartwood of Artocarpus lakoocha, mulberry wood, mulberry twigs, and Smilacis chinae rhizome. Numerous reports have highlighted its pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. In this review, we specifically focus on the neuroprotective effects of oxyresveratrol in both in vitro and in vivo models. To conduct this review, we adopted a systematic approach and utilized search engines to explore online databases, covering publications from 2000 to 2021. We carefully analyzed the data and synthesized the findings into a comprehensive table and figure. Our review underscores the application of oxyresveratrol in the context of neurodegenerative diseases, with particular emphasis on conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), ischemic strokes, and traumatic brain injury. The findings of our review suggest that oxyresveratrol holds significant promise as a natural compound for the prevention and management of neurodegenerative diseases. However, it is important to note that the clinical application of oxyresveratrol is still limited. Consequently, further research is warranted to explore the potential development of innovative health-promoting products utilizing oxyresveratrol, particularly in the context of protecting against neurodegenerative diseases in ageing populations.

Pretreatment of Mulberry Twig using Nonionic Surfactant-assisted Ionic Liquid for Zymolysis and Subsequent Bioethanol Production

A natural cellulosic biomass pretreatment process was established to use ionic liquid (IL) for efficient zymolysis and subsequent bioethanol production, the IL 1, 3-Dimethylimidazolium dimethyl phosphate/Tween-80 ([Mmim][DMP]/T80) was selected in view of its high pretreatment function. The productivity of reducing sugars from mulberry twigs pretreated with the IL at 130°C for 0.33 h reached 74.72% after zymolysis for 48 h, while only a 14.62% conversion rate for the sample pretreated by water. The fermentability character of the hydrolyzate, witdrawn from zymolysis, was fermented into bioethanol using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This kind of microbe could efficiently utilize glucose to produce ethanol with the yield of 0.382 g/g glucose in 30 h fermentation. In conclusion, the ionic liquid pretreatment at low temperatures shows promise as a pretreatment reagent for natural lignocellulosic biomass.

Bioactivities and physicochemical properties of crude polysaccharides from mulberry twigs, agricultural by-products

Bioactivities and physicochemical properties of crude polysaccharides from mulberry twigs, agricultural by-products

New butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor derived from mulberry twigs, a kind of agricultural byproducts

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common diseases in the elderly, imposing a significant financial and emotional burden on patients and their families. Inhibiting the enzyme cholinesterase is currently one of the main methods of delaying the symptoms of AD. The mulberry extract has good butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity, but its main active ingredients and the mechanism of action are unknown. In this study, three potential BChE inhibitors, Kuwanon G, kuwanon H, and morusin, were isolated and identified from mulberry twigs by magnetic nanoparticles Fe 3 O 4 @BChE coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry-solid-phase extraction-nuclear magnetic resonance (HPLC-HRMS-SPE NMR). Kuwanon G, kuwanon H, and morusin displayed potential inhibition activity, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 values) were 71.0 ± 2.62 μM, 10.9 ± 0.39 μM and 78.7 ± 2.61 μM, respectively, and the positive control, Galanthaminel was 60.4 ± 6.88 μM. It was found for the first time that Kuwanon H had butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. The results of molecular docking revealed that Kuwanon H interacted primarily with the amino acid residues (Asp70, Ser72, Thr284, Leu286, and Ser287) of the BChE via hydrogen bonding, and interacted with Pro285 to produce hydrogen bonds via water molecular bridge bond, thereby exerting inhibitory activity. This research is critical in explaining the material basis and mechanism of mulberry twigs inhibiting or alleviating Alzheimer's disease as well as contributing to the development and utilization of mulberry twigs as an agricultural by-product. • A new highly selective ChEs inhibitor was found and its action mode was elucidated. • A screening technology was used to find activity compounds quickly and accurately. • A new biological activity of non-food active compound Kuwanon H was discovered. • Industrial crop mulberry may be used to produce new non-food active products. • Non-food active products against Alzheimer's disease may be produced by Mulberry.

Rapid Screening of Nonalkaloid α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from a Mulberry Twig Extract Using Enzyme-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles Coupled with UPLC-MS/MS.

Mulberry twigs are an important source of α-glucosidase inhibitors. To date, research studies on α-glucosidase in mulberry twigs have mainly focused on alkaloids such as 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ). Preliminary studies have shown that there may be more active nonalkaloid α-glucosidase inhibitors in mulberry twigs. In this study, we immobilized α-glucosidase on Fe3O4@SiO2 for the first time and rapidly screened four nonalkaloid α-glucosidase inhibitors (kuwanon G, kuwanon C, kuwanon H, and morusin) using ligand fishing technology with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) from the mulberry twig extract of Jialing 20, the excellent artificial triploid variety of mulberry cultivated extensively in Southwest China. The half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of kuwanon H and kuwanon G were 2.82 ± 0.68 and 2.83 ± 0.31 μM, respectively, with better inhibition activity than that of DNJ (with an IC50 of 7.04 ± 0.82 μM). Meanwhile, the molecular docking results showed that the action sites of these two isopentenyl flavonoids on α-glucosidase were different from that of DNJ. In brief, this work is beneficial to discovering new α-glucosidase inhibitors from mulberry twigs quickly and accurately and provides a theoretical basis for the mulberry twig extract as a functional food or a natural hypoglycemic drug source, as well as a reference for directional breeding of mulberry, which greatly improves the exploitation and utilization value of mulberry twigs as an agricultural byproduct in the fields of agricultural production, functional food, and natural medicine.

Oxyresveratrol Reduces the Migration of Human Osteosarcoma Cell U2OS via Attenuating STAT3 Activation

Objective: Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor with high metastatic properties that are associated with increased mortality and poor prognosis. Therefore, it is crucial to develop an effective treatment for metastatic osteosarcoma. Oxyresveratrol (ORES), derived from mulberry twigs and fruits, has antitumor effects. However, it remains unknown whether ORES inhibits osteosarcoma metastasis. In this study, we determined the inhibitory effect of ORES on osteosarcoma metastasis. Key Findings: ORES attenuated the migration of U2OS cells, dose-dependently increased E-cadherin expression, and reduced N-cadherin expression in U2OS cells, indicating that ORES can inhibit epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in osteosarcoma cells. Furthermore, ORES inhibited the expression of Twist, which is associated with the downregulation of STAT3 phosphorylation. IL-6-induced STAT3 phosphorylation rescues the inhibitory effect of ORES on U2OS metastasis. Summary: Our results indicate that ORES is a potential therapeutic agent for metastatic osteosarcoma. ORES inhibits osteosarcoma cell migration by reducing EMT formation.

Genome-wide analysis of the lignin toolbox for morus and the roles of lignin related genes in response to zinc stress.

Mulberry (Morus, Moraceae) is an important economic plant with nutritional, medicinal, and ecological values. Lignin in mulberry can affect the quality of forage and the saccharification efficiency of mulberry twigs. The availability of the Morus notabilis genome makes it possible to perform a systematic analysis of the genes encoding the 11 protein families specific to the lignin branch of the phenylpropanoid pathway, providing the core genes for the lignin toolbox in mulberry. We performed genome-wide screening, which was combined with de novo transcriptome data for Morus notabilis and Morus alba variety Fengchi, to identify putative members of the lignin gene families followed by phylogenetic and expression profile analyses. We focused on bona fide clade genes and their response to zinc stress were further distinguished based on expression profiles using RNA-seq and RT-qPCR. We finally identified 31 bona fide genes in Morus notabilis and 25 bona fide genes in Fengchi. The putative function of these bona fide genes was proposed, and a lignin toolbox that comprised 19 genes in mulberry was provided, which will be convenient for researchers to explore and modify the monolignol biosynthesis pathway in mulberry. We also observed changes in the expression of some of these lignin biosynthetic genes in response to stress caused by excess zinc in Fengchi and proposed that the enhanced lignin biosynthesis in lignified organs and inhibition of lignin biosynthesis in leaf is an important response to zinc stress in mulberry.

Hypovirulence-associated mycovirus in Fusarium sp. isolated from apple orchards of Himachal Pradesh, India

Infection of fungi with mycoviruses can lead to hypovirulence and control the pathogenicity of fungus causing diseases in crops. In the present study, ten Fusarium isolates with reduced mycelia growth were obtained from mulberry twigs buried in the rhizosphere of apple trees in Himachal Pradesh. All isolates except isolate 2 of Fusarium led to complete fruit rotting after 12 days of spore inoculation. After curing of Fusarium isolate 2, culture exhibited normal morphology, pigmentation, and growth rate. Fusarium strain cured for mycovirus was found to be more pathogenic as compared to uncured strain. The growth and pathogenicity phenotype were not fully restored in comparison to wild type. This study thus documents the presence of hypovirulence associated mycoviruses in Fusarium sp. isolated from apple rhizosphere of Himachal Pradesh. Recently, mycovirus induced hypovirulence has gained a lot of attention worldwide.

STUDY ON THE GRINDING TIME DURATION IMPACT ON THE PROPERTIES OF PAPER FROM ALTERNATIVE RAW MATERIALS

Both raw and recycled fiber materials are used for paper production. The increase in percentage use of the latter is due to their paper-forming properties, availability and low cost. The article explores the possibility of using pulp from the inner layer of mulberry twig bark. Mulberry twigs, after removing leaves, which are the main raw material in silk production, have no practical industrial application. Recycling waste - mulberry branches - for the production of pulp is therefore relevant as it is aimed at solving raw material and environmental problems. The purpose of this work is to use local raw materials for paper production, study the impact of processing method of the grinding process on paper forming properties. During grinding the mechanical processes of changes of fibers determine mainly structure of a paper sheet, and colloidal-physical processes - bind and ability of fibers to form strong, homogenous and smooth structure of paper. The structure of the sheet of paper facilitates excessive or "selective" ink absorption into the pores of the paper and thus predetermines the quality of reproduction during the printing process. Methods for determining the physical and mechanical properties of papers were used in this work, and changes in the surface structure of samples cast at various technological modes of the milling process were studied. The results of the study revealed that the addition of cellulose mass from the inner layer of mulberry twig bark helps to obtain a strong paper. The optical properties of the paper, which contains cotton and cellulose from the inner layer of mulberry branch bark, are explained by the whiteness of the added fibers themselves. The strength properties of the paper at a weight grinding degree of 300 CWR are explained by the bond between the split and strongly interwoven fibers of the cellulose fibers. It has been established that the addition of more than 30% cellulose from the inner layer of the mulberry branch bark to the paper pulp mass is undesirable, as this adversely affects the whiteness of the paper

Importance of silkworm and its wastes to enhance socioeconomic status in India

Mulberry sericulture always been recognized only for commercial production of silk from silkworm. Its quiet true also that at present this sericulture industry is looked as an important source by countries such as China and India to generate global currencies. But several resources regarding mulberry sericulture are still utilized properly. The sericulture waste can be emanated into three kinds i.e., first is beds refuse after silkworm rearing, second mulberry twigs, surplus leaves along with fruits, third waste from coccon reeling such as pupae. Also silkworm excreta and different by products can offer diverse utility either by direct or indirect way in agriculture and rural cottage industries. Hence helping to generate note worthy economic for the sericulture farmers.

Application of Tween 80 and Tween 20 for microwave-assisted extraction of oxyresveratrol from mulberry (Morus alba L.) twigs

Application of Tween 80 and Tween 20 for microwave-assisted extraction of oxyresveratrol from mulberry (Morus alba L.) twigs

Sixty years of plant cryopreservation: from freezing hardy mulberry twigs to establishing reference crop collections for future generations

Sixty years of plant cryopreservation: from freezing hardy mulberry twigs to establishing reference crop collections for future generations

Maclurin exerts anti-cancer effects on PC3 human prostate cancer cells via activation of p38 and inhibitions of JNK, FAK, AKT, and c-Myc signaling pathways

Maclurin is a phenolic compound extracted from purple mangosteen and mulberry twigs. Earlier reports indicated that it exerts antioxidant activity. We hypothesized that maclurin exerts antioxidant activity and anti-cancer effects in small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (SCNCs), a very aggressive type of human prostate cancer. To verify our hypothesis, we selected PC3 cells as a model system and investigated the antioxidant activity and anti-cancer effects of maclurin. In the reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection assay for the verification of antioxidant activity, we observed the unexpected prooxidant activity of maclurin in PC3 cells. For the anti-cancer activities, we investigated the effects of maclurin on induction of apoptosis and inhibition of metastatic characteristics of PC3 cells. In the apoptosis assay, maclurin significantly induced apoptosis of PC3 cells. Maclurin also showed significant anti-metastatic effects. Maclurin inhibited cell migration in a dosage-dependent manner. In addition, the gelatin zymography assay indicated that maclurin inhibited activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) that affect cell migration and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Then, we investigated the effects of maclurin on the cancer-related signaling molecules. Maclurin activated p38 signaling and inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), focal-adhesion kinase (FAK), AKT, and c-Myc signalings in PC3 cells. Finally, we observed prooxidant activity and anti-SCNC effects of maclurin in DU145 cells. This suggests that the effects of maclurin may not be specifically limited to PC3 cells. Our findings suggest that maclurin exerts anti-cancer effects on SCNC cells via activation of p38 and inhibitions of JNK, FAK, AKT and c-Myc signalings.

Isolation and profiling of coumarin glycosides from the anti-hyperuricemic ethanol extract of mulberry (Morus alba L.) twigs (Chin.Ph.)

Isolation and profiling of coumarin glycosides from the anti-hyperuricemic ethanol extract of mulberry (Morus alba L.) twigs (Chin.Ph.)

Postprandial hypoglycemic effects of mulberry twig and root bark in vivo and in vitro

Purpose: Our previous study demonstrated the hypoglycemic effects of mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf and the underlying mechanisms. Here we explored the potency of mulberry twigs (TW) and root barks (RB) in postprandial hypoglycemic effects in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The major components of TW and RB were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Alpha-glucosidase inhibition and glucose/fructose uptake inhibition in Caco-2 cells were determined for TW, RB, and their major components, followed by an oral sugar tolerance test (OSTT) in streptozotocininduced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat diet for 2 weeks and then a single dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg B.W) was administered by intraperitoneal injection. Rats with fasting blood glucose levels above 126 mg/dL were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 8/group) for the following treatments by gavage for 4 weeks: vehicle (normal control and diabetic control), 200 mg/kg B.W of TW or RB or 100 mg/kg B.W of oxyresveratrol (OXY). Results: OXY and mulberroside A were identified as the major components of TW and OXY, mongolicin, and kuwanon H for RB. A significant inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase was found for TW, RB, and OXY (p = 0.0099). There was a dose-dependent inhibition of TW and RB on the intestinal sugar uptakes in Caco-2 cells, showing a greater impact on fructose compared to glucose. The OSTT showed that TW and RB significantly delayed time to maximal concentration (p = 0.0088) and decreased maximal concentration (p = 0.0043) compared to the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that TW and RB may have a postprandial hypoglycemic effect, particularly in the case of high fructose or sucrose intake. OXY was suggested as a contributor to the hypoglycemic effect of TW and RB. Further studies are needed for the systemic effect of TW and RB in circulation.

Maclurin suppresses migration and invasion of human non-small-cell lung cancer cells via anti-oxidative activity and inhibition of the Src/FAK-ERK-β-catenin pathway.

Recent reports indicated that ROS is closely related with cancer metastasis. ROS targets major signaling molecules which are known to be involved in migration and invasion of cancer cells. Here we report that maclurin, a major phenolic component of ethanol extracted mulberry twigs, exerts anti-metastatic effect in A549 human non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Maclurin suppresses intracellular ROS level in A549 human non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Also, maclurin down-regulates Src and ERK, which are well known to be regulated with redox state. Suppressed Src/FAK and ERK signalings activate GSK3-β, thus inhibiting nuclear accumulation of β-catenin. As a result, transcriptional expressions of two major gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) were significantly down-regulated. Consequently, migration and invasion of A549 human non-small-cell lung cancer cells were attenuated. Anti-metastatic effect of maclurin on A549 human non-small-cell lung cancer cells were diminished by the treatment of hydrogen peroxide, thus further implicating that the effect of maclurin may be strongly related with its anti-oxidative activity. Thus, our data indicate that the anti-metastatic effect of maclurin is exerted by anti-oxidative activity and inhibition of Src/FAK-ERK-β-catenin signaling pathway.

Analysis of Functional Constituents in Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Twigs by Different Cultivars, Producing Areas, and Heat Processings

Four functional constituents, oxyresveratrol 3′-O-β-D-glucoside (ORTG), oxyresveratrol (ORT), t-resveratrol (RT), and moracin (MC) were isolated from the ethanolic extract of mulberry (Morus alba L.) twigs by a series of isolation procedures, including solvent fractionation, and silica-gel, ODS-A, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. Their chemical structures were identified by NMR and FABMS spectral analysis. Quantitative changes of four phytochemicals in mulberry twigs were determined by HPLC according to cultivar, producing area, and heat processing. ORTG was a major abundant compound in the mulberry twigs, and its levels ranged from 23.7 to 105.5 mg% in six different mulberry cultivars. Three other compounds were present in trace amounts (<1 mg/100 g) or were not detected. Among mulberry cultivars examined, “Yongcheon” showed the highest level of ORTG, whereas “Somok” had the least ORTG content. Levels of four phytochemicals in the mulberry twigs harvested in early September were higher than those harvested in early July. Levels of ORTG and ORT in the “Cheongil” mulberry twigs produced in the Uljin area were higher than those produced in other areas. Generally, levels of ORTG and ORT in mulberry twigs decreased with heat processing, such as steaming, and microwaving except roasting, whereas those of RT and MC did not considerably vary according to heat processing. These results suggest that the roasted mulberry twigs may be useful as potential sources of functional ingredients and foods.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Diplodia seriata, the causal agent of canker and twig dieback disease on mulberry in Iran

Mulberries are cultivated for different purposes: for feeding larvae of silkworm, Bombyx mori, as fresh and dry food resources, in wood instrument industry, in pharmaceutical industry and as outdoor ornamental trees in Iran. In recent years, twig and branch canker disease symptoms have been noticed on mulberry trees in northwestern parts of Iran. Diplodia isolates were repeatedly recovered from symptomatic tissues. Based on cultural and morphological features, the isolates were identified as Diplodia seriata. The identity of the isolates was further confirmed using sequence data from internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-rDNA and ef-1α gene. A phylogenetic analysis using ITS sequence data clustered the isolates obtained in this study together with known Diplodia seriata isolates of other woody hosts from GenBank. Inoculation studies carried out on white mulberry twigs using an excised shoot method revealed that the isolates are pathogenic on this host. D. seriata have been reported from other woody host plant species such as Juglans nigra and Vitis vinifera in Iran, however, to the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of D. seriata on mulberry trees is new for Iran. The distribution and reaction of different Morus spp. to D. seriata remain to be studied.

Comparative inhibitory activity of the stilbenes resveratrol and oxyresveratrol on African swine fever virus replication

Stilbenols are polyphenolic phytoalexins produced by plants in response to biotic or abiotic stress. These compounds have received much attention because of their significant biological effects. One of these is their antiviral action, which has previously been documented for two members of this class, namely resveratrol and oxyresveratrol. Here we tested the antiviral effect of these two compounds on African swine fever virus, the only member of the newly created family Asfarviridae and a serious limitation to porcine production worldwide. Our results show a potent, dose-dependent antiviral effect of resveratrol and oxyresveratrol in vitro. Interestingly, this antiviral activity was found for these synthetic compounds and also for oxyresveratrol extracted from new natural sources (mulberry twigs). The antiviral effect of these two drugs was demonstrated at concentrations that do not induce cytotoxicity in cultured cells. Moreover, these antivirals achieved a 98–100% reduction in viral titers. Both compounds allowed early protein synthesis but inhibited viral DNA replication, late viral protein synthesis and viral factory formation.

Antioxidant and antityrosinase activity of mulberry ( Morus alba L.) twigs and root bark

The antioxidant and antityrosinase activities of the ethanolic extract of mulberry twigs (EEMT) were investigated. The results showed that EEMT exhibited radical scavenging and reducing activity, as well as ferrous ion-chelating activity. In addition, EEMT also protected phospholipids against free radicals, indicating that EEMT could protect biomolecules from oxidative damage. Meanwhile, in the range of 0–60 μg/ml, the tyrosinase inhibitory activity of EEMT increased with increase in sample concentration, and was superior to that of the ethanolic extract of mulberry root bark (EEMR). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was employed to determine the phenolic components, revealing that maclurin, rutin, isoquercitrin, resveratrol, and morin were present in EEMT. Acting as an antioxidant and a tyrosinase inhibitor, these bioactive constituents could contribute to the protective effects of EEMT. Overall, the results showed that EEMT might serve as a natural antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitor.