scholarly journals Nutraceutical and Medicinal Property of Mulberry Fruits: A Review on Its Pharmacological Potential

Author(s):  
Amit Mandal

Mulberry (Morus) cultivated worldwide in diverse agro-ecological conditions recognized as the fodder of silkworms (Bombyx mori). In India, ranging from high altitude Himalayan region to coastal region, the farmers generally cultivate these four species of mulberry (Morus alba, M. indica, M. serrata, and M. laevigata). Mulberry fruit is used in traditional medicine for several years in China and also consumed as food material in different countries of Asia and Africa. Mulberry fruit, along with high nutritious value, contains many bioactive phytochemicals that are30 of health benefits and can fight against many diseases. Many researchers attracted to this property of mulberry fruit, and they isolated bioactive polysaccharides, anthocyanins, flavonols, flavonols, phenolic acids, alkaloids, and melatonins. These compounds have antioxidant property and due to this, either in synergistically or in the pure form, these components have direct or indirect curative activity on diabetes, inflammation, tumor, hepatic diseases, immunomodulation, hyperlipidemia, neural damage, and chronic diseases. This tremendous bioactivity of mulberry fruit extract may open up a new dimension in the food and medicine industry. The present review provides recent findings of the phytochemical foundation and their bioactivities, which may encourage many researchers to explore the molecular mechanism of the biological activities which can be used for human welfare.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lijun Bao ◽  
Hongpeng Gao ◽  
Zelin Zheng ◽  
Xiaoxiao Zhao ◽  
Minjuan Zhang ◽  
...  

Mulberry sclerotiniose caused by Ciboria shiraiana is a devastating disease of mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit in Northwest China. At present, no disease-resistant varieties are used in production, as the molecular mechanisms of this disease are not well understood. In this study, to explore new prevention methods and provide direction for molecular breeding, transcriptomic sequencing and un-targeted metabolomics were performed on healthy (CK), early-stage diseased (HB1), and middle-stage diseased (HB2) mulberry fruits. Functional annotation, gene ontology, a Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis, and a Mapman analysis of the differentially expressed genes revealed differential regulation of genes related to plant hormone signal transduction, transcription factors, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. A correspondence between the transcript pattern and metabolite profile was observed in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway. It should be noted that the log2 ratio of eugenol (isoeugenol) in HB1 and HB2 are 85 times and 23 times higher than CK, respectively. Our study shows that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis may play an essential role in response to sclerotiniose pathogen infection and eugenol(isoeugenol) enrichment in mulberry fruit, which may provide a novel method for mulberry sclerotiniose control.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3093
Author(s):  
Jae Hyung Lee ◽  
Won-Chan Lee ◽  
Hyung Chul Kim ◽  
Naeun Jo ◽  
Kwanwoo Kim ◽  
...  

Food material (FM) derived from biochemical components (e.g., proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates) of phytoplankton can provide important quantitative and qualitative information of the food available to filter-feeding animals. The main objective of this study was to observe the seasonal and spatial variations of the biochemical compositions of phytoplankton and to identify the major controlling factors of FM as a primary food source in Jaran Bay, a large shellfish aquaculture site in South Korea. Based on monthly sampling conducted during 2016, significant monthly variations in the depth-integrated concentrations of major inorganic nutrients and chlorophyll a within the euphotic water column and a predominance (49.9 ± 18.7%) of micro-sized phytoplankton (>20 μm) were observed in Jaran Bay. Carbohydrates were the dominant biochemical component (51.8 ± 8.7%), followed by lipids (27.3 ± 3.8%) and proteins (20.9 ± 7.4%), during the study period. The biochemical compositions and average monthly FM levels (411.7 ± 93.0 mg m−3) in Jaran Bay were not consistent among different bays in the southern coastal region of South Korea, possibly due to differences in controlling factors, such as environmental and biological factors. According to the results from multiple linear regression, the variations in FM could be explained by the relatively large phytoplankton and the P* (PO43− − 1/16 × NO3−) and NH4+ concentrations in Jaran Bay. The macromolecular compositions and FM, as alternatives food source materials, should be monitored in Jaran Bay due to recent changes in nutrient concentrations and phytoplankton communities.


2012 ◽  
Vol 506 ◽  
pp. 587-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Yamdech ◽  
Pornanong Aramwit ◽  
Sorada Kanokpanont

The aim of this study was to investigate stabilities of anthocyanins from mulberry fruits extracts in alginate microspheres. The total anthocyanins contents measured from water extracts of mulberry fruits (Chiangmai/Jul cultivars) were at 10.46±0.51 mg/g DW and 15.31±0.86 mg/g DW (Chiangmai/Korat cultivars). At high temperature the extracts lost their anthocyanin contents to 52%wt (at 100°C for 5 hour) and 73%wt (at 121°C for 20 min). Alginate microspheres were prepared using external gelation methods. Sodium alginate solution (2.5%w/v) was sprayed into CaCl2solution (0.1M) through a nozzle at N2flow rates of 20 L/min. The average bead sizes were at 342.03±3.21µm. Anthocyanins loading on alginate microspheres were at 2.283±0.15 mg/g dry weight. At 80(10h), 100(5h) and 121°C(20min), Anthocyanins retention were at 91%wt, 82%wt and 89%wt, respectively. Adsorption of anthocyanins from mulberry fruit extracts on alginate microspheres resulted in a greater stability at high temperature than that of the free anthocyanins.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Olha Mykhailenko ◽  
Vilma Petrikaite ◽  
Michal Korinek ◽  
Fang-Rong Chang ◽  
Mohamed El-Shazly ◽  
...  

Crocus sativus L. (saffron) has been traditionally used as a food coloring or flavoring agent, but recent research has shown its potent pharmacological activity to tackle several health-related conditions. Crocus sp. leaves, and petals are the by-products of saffron production and are not usually used in the medicine or food industries. The present study was designed to determine the chemical composition of the water and ethanolic extracts of C. sativus leaves and test their cytotoxic activity against melanoma (IGR39) and triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines by MTT assay. We also determined their anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral activities. HPLC fingerprint analysis showed the presence of 16 compounds, including hydroxycinnamic acids, xanthones, flavonoids, and isoflavonoids, which could contribute to the extracts’ biological activities. For the first time, compounds such as tectoridin, iristectorigenin B, nigricin, and irigenin were identified in Crocus leaf extracts. The results showed that mangiferin (up to 2 mg/g dry weight) and isoorientin (8.5 mg/g dry weight) were the major active ingredients in the leaf extracts. The ethanolic extract reduced the viability of IGR39 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells with EC50 = 410 ± 100 and 330 ± 40 µg/mL, respectively. It was more active than the aqueous extract. Kaempferol and quercetin were identified as the most active compounds. Our results showed that Crocus leaves contain secondary metabolites with potent cytotoxic and antioxidant activities.


Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Scudiero ◽  
Mariarita Brancaccio ◽  
Cristina Mennitti ◽  
Sonia Laneri ◽  
Barbara Lombardo ◽  
...  

Staphylococcus aureus is a microorganism capable of causing numerous diseases of the human skin. The incidence of S. aureus skin infections reflects the conflict between the host skin′s immune defenses and the S. aureus’ virulence elements. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small protein molecules involved in numerous biological activities, playing a very important role in the innate immunity. They constitute the defense of the host′s skin, which prevents harmful microorganisms from entering the epithelial barrier, including S. aureus. However, S. aureus uses ambiguous mechanisms against host defenses by promoting colonization and skin infections. Our review aims to provide a reference collection on host-pathogen interactions in skin disorders, including S. aureus infections and its resistance to methicillin (MRSA). In addition to these, we discuss the involvement of defensins and other innate immunity mediators (i.e., toll receptors, interleukin-1, and interleukin-17), involved in the defense of the host against the skin disorders caused by S. aureus, and then focus on the evasion mechanisms developed by the pathogenic microorganism under analysis. This review provides the “state of the art” on molecular mechanisms underlying S. aureus skin infection and the pharmacological potential of AMPs as a new therapeutic strategy, in order to define alternative directions in the fight against cutaneous disease.


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (23) ◽  
pp. 4244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dosoky ◽  
Satyal ◽  
Barata ◽  
da Silva ◽  
Setzer

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is historically one of the most important spices and herbal medicines, and is now cultivated in tropical regions worldwide. The essential oil of black pepper fruits has shown a myriad of biological activities and is a commercially important commodity. In this work, five black pepper essential oils from eastern coastal region of Madagascar and six black pepper essential oils from the Amazon region of Brazil were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major components of the essential oils were α-pinene, sabinene, β-pinene, δ-3-carene, limonene, and β-caryophyllene. A comparison of the Madagascar and Brazilian essential oils with black pepper essential oils from various geographical regions reported in the literature was carried out. A hierarchical cluster analysis using the data obtained in this study and those reported in the literature revealed four clearly defined clusters based on the relative concentrations of the major components.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 2886-2897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun Chen ◽  
Bin Zhang ◽  
Xiong Fu ◽  
Rui Hai Liu

A novel polysaccharide (MFP3P) was isolated from Murus alba L. through the hot water extraction method followed by chromatographic purification.


2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 117-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Qin ◽  
Y. Li ◽  
W. Niu ◽  
Y. Ding ◽  
R. Zhang ◽  
...  

The fruit of mulberry (<I>Morus alba</I> L., Moraceae) has been used as medicinal food in China for a long history. The pigment from the fruit extract is a kind of natural colourant for food processing and has potential medical and commercial values. This study focuses on the analysis and characterisation of anthocyanins from mulberry pigment. The fresh mulberry fruits were extracted with the solvent of 95% alcohol/0.1% HC l (1:1, ratio) at room temperature for 4 h in the dark. After the isolation using C-18 column, the pigment was identified with UV-Visible Spectroscopy, HPLC-PAD, LC-MS, and <SUP>1</SUP>HNMR. The results showed that the abundant anthocyanins in mulberry pigment are cyanidin 3-<I>O</I>-rutinoside (60%) and cyanidin 3-<I>O</I>-glucoside (38%). The minor anthocyanins (totally 2%) are pelargonidin 3-<I>O</I>-glucoside and pelargonidin 3-<I>O</I>-rutinoside.


Scientifica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evgeny A. Kurashov ◽  
Elena V. Fedorova ◽  
Julia V. Krylova ◽  
Galina G. Mitrukova

The paper focuses on the assessment of the spectrum of biological activities (antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial) with PASS (Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances) for the major components of three macrophytes widespread in the Holarctic species of freshwater, emergent macrophyte with floating leaves,Nuphar lutea(L.) Sm., and two species of submergent macrophyte groups,Ceratophyllum demersumL. andPotamogeton obtusifolius(Mert. et Koch), for the discovery of their ecological and pharmacological potential. The predicted probability of anti-inflammatory or antineoplastic activities above 0.8 was observed for twenty compounds. The same compounds were also characterized by high probability of antifungal and antibacterial activity. Six metabolites, namely, hexanal, pentadecanal, tetradecanoic acid, dibutyl phthalate, hexadecanoic acid, and manool, were a part of the major components of all three studied plants, indicating their high ecological significance and a certain universalism in their use by various species of water plants for the implementation of ecological and biochemical functions. This report underlines the role of identified compounds not only as important components in regulation of biochemical and metabolic pathways and processes in aquatic ecological systems, but also as potential pharmacological agents in the fight against different diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e363101220409
Author(s):  
Mayara Zagoto ◽  
Gabriel Fernando Esteves Cardia ◽  
Edvalkia Magna Teobaldo da Rocha ◽  
Kathia Socorro Mathias Mourão ◽  
Vanderly Janeiro ◽  
...  

Currently, natural products are being used as a therapeutic alternative in the treatment and prevention of several diseases due to their low toxicity and relevant pharmacological potential. Thus, we can highlight basil (Ocimum basilicum L), one of the most used aromatic plants worldwide. Therefore, we provide some current evidence and insight into the potential therapeutic effect of basil essential oil to expand the available knowledge. A narrative review was carried out by searching electronic databases, providing a comprehensive analysis of the literature, where it was possible to identify existing problems and gaps to facilitate future research on basil essential oil. The available literature on basil essential oil presents us with several important pharmacological activities, such as: antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic and diuretic properties, among others. However, further research must be carried out to increase knowledge about this plant with enormous potential and determine its effectiveness and use in clinical conditions.


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