Mulberry leaf attenuates atherosclerotic lesions in patients with coronary heart disease possibly via 1-Deoxynojirimycin: A placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial

Mulberry Leaf Supplements Effecting Anti-Inflammatory Genes and Improving Obesity in Elderly Overweight Dogs

Overweight and obesity, associated with various health complications, refer to abnormal or excessive fat accumulation conditions that harm health. Like humans, obesity is a growing problem in dogs, which may increase the risk of serious diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Mulberry leaf has shown potential anti-obesity and anti-diabetes effects in several studies. Our research studied the impact of mulberry leaf supplements in healthy old overweight dogs for 12 weeks. Blood and fecal samples were collected from the dogs before and after treatment for different analyses, including whole transcriptome and gut microbiome analysis. The Body Condition Score (BCS) and blood glucose levels were significantly decreased in all mulberry treatment groups, which justifies the anti-obesity effect of mulberry leaf in dogs. Throughout the whole transcriptome study, the downregulation of PTX3 and upregulation of PDCD-1, TNFRSF1B, RUNX3, and TICAM1 genes in the high mulberry group were found, which have been associated with anti-inflammatory effects in the literature. It may be an essential gene expression mechanism responsible for the anti-inflammatory and, subsequently, anti-obesity effects associated with mulberry leaf treatment, as confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. In microbiome analysis, Papillibacter cinnamivorans, related to the Mediterranean diet, which may cause anti-inflammatory effects, were abundant in the same treatment group. Further studies may be required to establish the gene expression mechanism and role of abundant bacteria in the anti-obesity effect of mulberry supplements in dogs. Overall, we propose mulberry leaves as a portion of food supplements for improving blood glucose levels and the anti-inflammation of blood in companion dogs.

Impact of mulberry consumption on cardiometabolic risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the potential effects of mulberry consumption on cardiometabolic risk factors in adults.

METHODS

Relevant articles published up to January 2021 were systematically retrieved from SCOPUS, PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the impact of mulberry consumption on various cardiometabolic risk factors.

RESULTS

The quantitative meta-analysis of 12 eligible RCTs demonstrated a significant reducing effect of mulberry consumption on haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -0. 55, 95% CI: -1.08, -0.02, p = 0.044), serum total cholesterol (TC) (WMD: -13.13 mg/dl, 95% CI: -19.06, -7.20, p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein levels (LDL-C) (WMD: -8.84 mg/dl, 95% CI: -13.26, -4.42, p < 0.001), triglycerides (TG) (WMD: -19.67 mg/dl, 95% CI: -30.13, -9.22, p < 0.001) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD: -1.60, mg/L, 95% CI: -3.07, -0.12, p = 0.034). Also, >300 mg daily intake of mulberry exhibited a favourable effect on serum high-density lipoprotein levels (HDL-C). However, there were no significant differences between mulberry intervention and control groups for other factors.

CONCLUSION

The current systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that incorporating mulberry into the diet may favourably affect several cardiometabolic risk factors.

Mulberry plant as a source of functional food with therapeutic and nutritional applications: A review

Medicinal plants from the family Moraceae have diverse applications in agriculture, cosmetics, food, and the pharmaceutical industry. Their extensive spectrum of pharmacological activity for treating numerous inflammatory illnesses, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal problems reflects their biological and therapeutic value. This article summarizes the molecular mechanisms related to the biological implications of mulberry extracts, fractions, and isolated bioactive compounds from different parts in various health-related ailments. Additionally, the food industry and animal nutrition applications are summarized. Phytochemicals such as steroids, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, polysaccharides, and phenolic compounds including terpenoids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and tannins are found in this medicinal plant. The aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic extracts, as well as bioactive compounds, have anti-oxidative, hypoglycemic, nephroprotective, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, anti-mutagenic, hepatoprotective, anthelmintic, immune-modulatory, cardioprotective, and skin protecting activities. Mulberry supplementation in food products improves the stability of phenolics, sensory properties, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties. Mulberry leaves in animal feed increase the nutrient digestibility, growth parameters, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This review summarized the in vivo and in vitro biological activities of the mulberry and isolated constituents in various health conditions. In addition, the food uses such as antioxidant potential, antimicrobial, and physicochemical properties were discussed. Furthermore, in vivo studies revealed mulberry as a significant protein source and its flavonoids as potential animal foliage.

Phytochemical characterization of Morus nigra fruit ultrasound-assisted ethanolic extract for its cardioprotective potential

The current work investigated the phytochemical profile of ultrasound-assisted ethanolic extract of Morus nigra (M. nigra) fruit. FTIR analysis of M. nigra fruit extract revealed the presence of alcohols (O-H), alkanes (C-H stretch), alkenes (C=C), and alkynes (C≡C). The HPLC analysis quantified the quercetin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, cinnamic acid, sinapic acid, and kaempferol. Furthermore, the cardioprotective activity of ethanolic extract of M. nigra fruit was investigated. Cholesterol supplementation (2%) in the daily diet and exposure to cigarette smoke (2 cigarettes twice a day) were to induce hypertension in rats. The experimental animals were categorized into four groups: G0 (negative control), G1 (positive control), G2 (standard drug), and G3 (M. nigra fruit). The fruit extract administration at 300 mg/kg BW/day orally for 2 months significantly (p < .001) enhanced the activities of serum and cardiac tissue antioxidants in hypertensive rats. Meanwhile, the fruit extract reduced the elevated serum lipid profile while significantly increasing the high-density lipoproteins in G3 than G1 and G2. The increase in blood pressure, liver transaminases, and serum lactate dehydrogenase also reduced significantly in M. nigra fruit extract-treated rats. Histopathological findings revealed mild normalization of cardiac myocytes with central nuclei, branching, and cross-striations. Consequently, the M. nigra fruit extract exerted the cardioprotective potential via increasing the antioxidant enzymes and reducing the lipids, lactate dehydrogenase, liver transaminases, and blood pressure. The therapeutic potential of M. nigra fruit can be due to flavonols and phenolic acids. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The present work quantified the Morus nigra fruit phytochemicals and its significant role in reducing lipid markers and blood pressure and improving antioxidant status in rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet and exposed to cigarette smoke. Conclusively, the inclusion of M. nigra fruit in daily diet could improve the cardiac health of the individuals. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of M. nigra fruit and its isolated constituents in modulating the gene expression against cardiac problems can explore after clinical trials and standardization in higher animals.