Morus alba, Morus nigra, Mulberry tree -Western-

Morus alba, Morus nigra Mulberry tree Family: Moraceae
M. alba = white mulberry. M. nigra = black or purple mulberry.

[1] Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations R.C. Wren Revised by Elizabeth M. Williamson and Fred J Evans. First published in Great Britain in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1994 by the C. W. Daniel Company Limited. 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden Essex. Published 1988 Printed and bound by Biddles, Guildford ISBN 085207 1973.
Images
1. commons.wikimedia.org by Jean-Pol GRANDMONT CC SA 3.0 Unported
2. Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 1: 631.
3 . en.wikipedia.org Ben3john CC BY-SA 3.0

Leaf: Flavonoids; rutin, moracetin.^[3] Anthocyanins; cyanidin and delphinidin glucosides.^[3] Artocarpin, cycloartocarpin and analogues.^[4]
Ecdeysterone, inokosterone, lupeol, b-sitosterol, rutin, moracetin, isoquercetin, scopoletin, scopolin, z-hexenal, a-hexenal, cis-b-hexenol, cis-g-hexenol, benzaldehyde, eugenol, linalool, benzyl alcohol, butylamine, acetone, trigonelline, choline, adenine, amino acids, chlorogenic acid, fumaric acid, folic acid, formyltetrahydrofolic acid, myoinositol, copper, zinc.
Twig: Mulberrin, mulberrochromene, cyclomulberrin, cyclomulberrochromene, morin, cudranin, maclurin, tetrahydroxystilbene, dihydromorin, dihydrokaempferol, fructose, glucose, arabinose, xylose, stachyose, sucrose.^[1]
Root bark: Flavonoids; kuwanons, sangennons, mulberrosides, mulberrofurans.^[5,6]
M. nigra: Fruit: Invert sugar. Pectin. Fruit acids. Vitamin C.^[2]
References
[1] Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica- Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble- Eastland Press 1986 Seattle Washington ISBN 0-939616-15-7
[2] Drogenkunde, 8th Ed. Heinz, A., Hoppe. Pub. W. de Gruyter (1975) Berlin
[3] Medicinal Plants of Tropical West Africa, B. Oliver-Bever. Pub. Cambridge University Press (1986) UK
[4] Deshpande, V. H. (1968) Tet. Lett. 1715
[5] Nomura, T. et al. (1983) Planta Med. 47, 151
[6] Kimura, Y. et al. (1986) J. Nat. Prod. 94 (4), 639

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves and their major flavonol quercetin 3-(6-malonylglucoside) attenuate atherosclerotic lesion development in LDL receptor-deficient mice.
Enkhmaa B, Shiwaku K, Katsube T, Kitajima K, Anuurad E, Yamasaki M, Yamane Y.
Abstract
The effects of dietary consumption of mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves and their major flavonol glycoside, quercetin 3-(6-malonylglucoside) (Q3MG), on the development of atherosclerotic lesions, in relation to the susceptibility of plasma LDL to oxidative modification, was studied in LDL receptor-deficient (LDLR-/-) mice. Male mice aged 8 wk were randomly assigned to 4 groups (control, quercetin, Q3MG, and mulberry). The control group was fed an atherogenic-diet containing 3 g cholesterol and 15 g cocoa butter/100 g. The other experimental groups were fed the same atherogenic diet supplemented with 0.05 g quercetin/100 g for the quercetin group, 0.05 g Q3MG/100 g for the Q3MG group, and 3 g dried mulberry-leaf powder/100 g for the mulberry group. The mice were fed their respective diets for 8 wk. The susceptibility of LDL to oxidative modification was significantly decreased in the Q3MG- and mulberry-treated mice, as evidenced by the 44.3 and 42.2% prolongation of the lag phase for conjugated diene formation compared with that of the control mice. The atherosclerotic lesion area in both the Q3MG- and mulberry-treated mice was significantly reduced by 52% compared with that of the controls. However, in the quercetin group, no protective effects were observed against LDL oxidation or atherosclerotic lesion formation. In conclusion, mulberry leaves attenuated the atherosclerotic lesion development in LDLR-/- mice through enhancement of LDL resistance to oxidative modification, and these antioxidative and antiatherogenic protective effects were attributed mainly to Q3MG, the quantitatively major flavonol glycoside in mulberry leaves.
PMID: 15795425 J Nutr. 2005 Apr;135(4):729-34. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical trials of Morus alba.
Chan EW, Lye PY, Wong SK.
Abstract
The present review is aimed at providing a comprehensive summary on the botany, utility, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical trials of Morus alba (mulberry or sang shu). The mulberry foliage has remained the primary food for silkworms for centuries. Its leaves have also been used as animal feed for livestock and its fruits have been made into a variety of food products. With flavonoids as major constituents, mulberry leaves possess various biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, skin-whitening, cytotoxic, anti-diabetic, glucosidase inhibition, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, and cognitive enhancement activities. Rich in anthocyanins and alkaloids, mulberry fruits have pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-obesity, and hepatoprotective activities. The root bark of mulberry, containing flavonoids, alkaloids and stilbenoids, has antimicrobial, skin-whitening, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. Other pharmacological properties of M. alba include anti-platelet, anxiolytic, anti-asthmatic, anthelmintic, antidepressant, cardioprotective, and immunomodulatory activities. Clinical trials on the efficiency of M. alba extracts in reducing blood glucose and cholesterol levels and enhancing cognitive ability have been conducted. The phytochemistry and pharmacology of the different parts of the mulberry tree confer its traditional and current uses as fodder, food, cosmetics, and medicine. Overall, M. alba is a multi-functional plant with promising medicinal properties.
Chin J Nat Med. 2016 Jan;14(1):17-30. doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1009.2016.00017. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Morus alba extract modulates blood pressure homeostasis through eNOS signaling.
Carrizzo A, Ambrosio M, Damato A, Madonna M, Storto M, Capocci L, Campiglia P, Sommella E, Trimarco V, Rozza F, Izzo R, Puca AA, Vecchione C.
Abstract
SCOPE:
Morus alba is a promising phytomedicine cultivated in oriental countries that is extensively used to prevent and treat various cardiovascular problems. To date, despite its beneficial effects, the molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. Thus, we investigate the vascular and haemodynamic effects of Morus alba extract in an experimental model focusing our attention on the molecular mechanisms involved.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Through vascular reactivity studies, we demonstrate that Morus alba extract evokes endothelial vasorelaxation through a nitric oxide-dependent pathway. Our molecular analysis highlights an increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation. In vivo administration of Morus alba extract reduces blood pressure levels exclusively in wild-type mice, whereas it fails to evoke any haemodynamic effects in eNOS-deficient mice. Molecular analyses revealed that its beneficial action on vasculature is mediated by the activation of two important proteins that act as stress sensors and chaperones: PERK and heat shock protein 90. Finally, Morus alba extract exerts antihypertensive action in an experimental model of arterial hypertension.
CONCLUSION:
Through its action on eNOS signaling, Morus alba extract could act as a food supplement for the regulation of cardiovascular system, mainly in clinical conditions characterized by eNOS dysfunction, such as arterial hypertension.
Mol Nutr Food Res. 2016 May 28. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201600233. [Epub ahead of print] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov