Current anti-diabetes mechanisms and clinical trials using Morus alba L

Fortification of yogurt with mulberry leaf extract: Effects on physicochemical, antioxidant, microbiological and sensory properties during 21-days of storage

Mulberry leaves are medicinal and edible, with many physiological functions. To improve the potential function of yogurt, the effects of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) incorporation on the fermentation kinetics, physicochemical, antioxidant properties, and sensory parameters of yogurt were evaluated. The results showed that 0.1-0.3 % MLE improved the acidification rate and shortened the fermentation process. The addition of MLE significantly increased the values of total titratable acids, water holding capacity (WHC), total phenolic content and antioxidant capacities of the yogurt (p＜0.05). Specifically, the WHC values of 0.1 % MLE added yogurt were 1.33-1.41 times that of the control over 21 days of storage. In addition, MLE changed the texture and sensory quality of yogurt, resulting in light green, more stable products. Compared to the control, the yogurt with an appropriate concentration of MLE (0.1 % and 0.2 %) showed stable microbiological properties, and the survival of lactic acid bacteria in the yogurt was able to maintain a stable probiotic count of 108 CFU/g over 21 days of shelf life. The yogurt containing 0.1 % MLE achieved a good balance between the physicochemical and sensory qualities of the yogurt, and the use of MLE as an ingredient in yogurt production was a step towards the development of healthier dairy products.

Mining and functional characterization of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductases of the DNJ biosynthetic pathway in mulberry leaves

BACKGROUND

1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), the main active ingredient in mulberry leaves, with wide applications in the medicine and food industries due to its significant functions in lowering blood sugar, and lipids, and combating viral infections. Cytochrome P450 is a key enzyme for DNJ biosynthesis, its activity depends on the electron supply of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductases (CPRs). However, the gene for MaCPRs in mulberry leaves remains unknown.

RESULTS

In this study, we successfully cloned and functionally characterized two key genes, MaCPR1 and MaCPR2, based on the transcriptional profile of mulberry leaves. The MaCPR1 gene comprised 2064 bp, with its open reading frame (ORF) encoding 687 amino acids. The MaCPR2 gene comprised 2148 bp, and its ORF encoding 715 amino acids. The phylogenetic tree indicates that MaCPR1 and MaCPR2 belong to Class I and Class II, respectively. In vitro, we found that the recombinant enzymes MaCPR2 protein could reduce cytochrome c and ferricyanide using NADPH as an electron donor, while MaCPR1 did not. In yeast, heterologous co-expression indicates that MaCPR2 delivers electrons to MaC3'H hydroxylase, a key enzyme catalyzing the production of chlorogenic acid from 3-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the orchestration of hydroxylation process mediated by MaCPR2 during the biosynthesis of secondary metabolite biosynthesis in mulberry leaves. These results provided a foundational understanding for fully elucidating the DNJ biosynthetic pathway within mulberry leaves.

Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl.: An updated review of pharmacological effects, toxicity studies, and separation techniques

Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl. is geographically distributed around Papua Island, Indonesia. Traditionally, P. macrocarpa is exercised to reduce pain, stomachache, diarrhea, tumor problems, blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure. A growing interest in the medicinal values of P. macrocarpa especially in Asia reflects the usage of diverse extraction techniques, particularly modern approaches. In this review article, the extraction methods and solvents relevant to P. macrocarpa were discussed, with the extent of its pharmacological activities. Recent bibliographic databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and Elsevier between 2010 and 2022 were assessed. Based on the findings, the pharmacological studies of P. macrocarpa are still pertinent to its traditional uses but primarily emphasise anti-proliferative activity especially colon and breast cancer cells with low toxicity and fruit as the most studied plant part. The utilization of modern separation techniques has predominantly been aimed at extracting mangiferin and phenolic-rich compounds and evaluating their antioxidant capacity. However, the isolation of bioactive compounds remains a challenge, leading to the extensive utilization of the extracts in in vivo studies. This review endeavors to highlight modern extraction methods that could potentially be used as a point of reference in the future for exploring novel bioactive compounds and drug discovery on a multi-scale extraction level.

The phenolic components extracted from mulberry fruits as bioactive compounds against cancer: A review

In Asia, mulberry has long been used to treat various infectious and internal ailments as a traditional medication. The compounds found in it have the potential to improve human health. Because there is no approved and defined evaluation procedure, it has not been formally or scientifically recognized. As a result of these investigations, a new frontier in traditional Chinese medicine has opened up, with the possibility of modernization, for the interaction between active components of mulberry and their biological activities. These studies have used current biotechnological technologies. For ages, mulberry has been used as an herbal remedy in Asia to cure various diseases and internal disorders. It has a high concentration of bioactive chemicals that benefit human health. The most abundant phenolic components extracted from white mulberry leaves are flavonoids (Kuwanons, Moracinflavans, Moragrols, and Morkotins), phenolic acids, alkaloids, and so forth. Flavonoids, benzofurans, chalcones, and alkaloids have been discovered to have cytotoxic effects on human cancer cell lines. There is growing evidence that mulberry fruits can potentially prevent cancer and other aging-related disorders due to their high concentration of bioactive polyphenolic-rich compounds and macro and micronutrients. Anthocyanins are rapidly absorbed after eating, arriving in the plasmalemma within 15-50 min and entirely removed after 6-8 hr. Due to a lack of an approved and consistent technique for its examination, it has yet to be formally or scientifically recognized. The mulberry plant is commercially grown for silkworm rearing, and less attention is paid to its bioactive molecules, which have a lot of applications in human health. This review paper discusses the phenolic compounds of white mulberry and black mulberry in detail concerning their role in cancer prevention.

Antidiabetic Phytochemicals From Medicinal Plants: Prospective Candidates for New Drug Discovery and Development

Diabetes, a chronic physiological dysfunction affecting people of different age groups and severely impairs the harmony of peoples' normal life worldwide. Despite the availability of insulin preparations and several synthetic oral antidiabetic drugs, there is a crucial need for the discovery and development of novel antidiabetic drugs because of the development of resistance and side effects of those drugs in long-term use. On the contrary, plants or herbal sources are getting popular day by day to the scientists, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies all over the world to search for potential bioactive compound(s) for the discovery and development of targeted novel antidiabetic drugs that may control diabetes with the least unwanted effects of conventional antidiabetic drugs. In this review, we have presented the prospective candidates comprised of either isolated phytochemical(s) and/or extract(s) containing bioactive phytoconstituents which have been reported in several in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies possessing noteworthy antidiabetic potential. The mode of actions, attributed to antidiabetic activities of the reported phytochemicals and/or plant extracts have also been described to focus on the prospective phytochemicals and phytosources for further studies in the discovery and development of novel antidiabetic therapeutics.

Submerged fermentation improves bioactivity of mulberry fruits and leaves

Objective

Mulberry (Morus spp.) fruits and leaves have been proven to possess nutraceutical properties. Due to its fast and easy growing characteristics, mulberry fruits (MF) and leaves (ML) potentially emerge as a great source of functional foods. This study aims to enhance bioactivities (antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and hypoglycemic activity) of MF and ML via submerged fermentation using bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum TAR 4), yeast (Baker’s yeast and red yeast) and fungi (Tempeh and Tapai starter).

Methods

In this study, 25% (mass to volume ratio) of MF and ML were fermented (48 h) with 1% (mass to volume ratio) of different microbial cultures, respectively. Effects of different fermentations on MF and ML were determined based on the changes of total phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), anthocyanins, total sugar, DPPH activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), albumin denaturation inhibition activity (ADI), anti-lipoxygenase activity and α-amylase inhibition activity (AI).

Results

Generally, ML had higher AI than MF. However, MF exhibited higher DPPH, FRAP and anti-lipoxygenase activity than ML. After all forms of fermentation, DPPH and AI activity of MF and ML were increased significantly (P < 0.05). However, the effects of fermentation on TPC, FRAP, ADI and anti-lipoxygenase activity of MF were in contrast with ML. TPC, FRAP and anti-lipoxygenase activity of ML were enhanced, but reduced in MF after fermentation. Although the effects exerted by different microorganisms in MF and ML fermentation were different, the bioactivities of MF and ML were generally improved after fermentation. Fermentation by Tempeh starter enhanced TPC (by 2-fold), FRAP (by 2.3-fold), AI (at 10% increment) and anti-lipoxygenase activity (by 5-fold) of ML, whereas Tapai fermentation effectively enhanced the DPPH (at 17% increment) and ADI (by 2-fold) activity of MF.

Conclusion

Findings of this study provide an insight into the future process design of MF and ML processing into novel functional foods.

Binding Insight of Anti-HIV Phytocompounds with Prime Targets of HIV: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite intense efforts, AIDS is difficult to tackle by current anti-retroviral therapy (ART) due to its side effects; therefore, there is an urgent need to discover potential, multitarget and low-cost anti-HIV compounds.

OBJECTIVE

We have shown that few phytocompounds can potentially inhibit the prime targets of HIV namely GP120 envelope protein, reverse transcriptase, protease, integrase and ribonulcease. In this study, top ranked prioritized compounds were subjected to Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation in order to study the conformational dynamics and integrity of crucial interaction in the receptor sites.

METHODS

The system was built for selected protein-ligand complex using TIP3P water model and OPLS_2005 force field. Trajectories were recorded up to 20 ns simulation time in Desmond module of Schrödinger software.

RESULTS

As a result of a comprehensive analysis of molecular properties and dynamics of the complexes, it has been concluded that Chebulic acid, Curcumin and Mulberroside C could be developed as envelope glycoprotein GP120 inhibitor, reverse transcriptase inhibitor and protease inhibitor respectively. However, the fluctuation of Chebulic acid with respect to integrase and ribonuclease protein was higher during the simulation.

CONCLUSION

These findings can aid in the designing of the structural properties for more effective anti-HIV compounds against the given targets.

Ethanol extract of mulberry leaves partially restores the composition of intestinal microbiota and strengthens liver glycogen fragility in type 2 diabetic rats

BACKGROUND

Mulberry leaf as a traditional Chinese medicine is able to treat obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. It is well known that diabetes leads to intestinal microbiota dysbiosis. It is also recently discovered that liver glycogen structure is impaired in diabetic animals. Since mulberry leaves are able to improve the diabetic conditions through reducing blood glucose level, it would be interesting to investigate whether they have any positive effects on intestinal microbiota and liver glycogen structure.

METHODS

In this study, we first determined the bioactive components of ethanol extract of mulberry leaves via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Murine animal models were divided into three groups, normal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 2 diabetic rats, and HFD/STZ-induced rats administered with ethanol extract of mulberry leaves (200 mg/kg/day). Composition of intestinal microbiota was analyzed via metagenomics by sequencing the V3-V4 region of 16S rDNAs. Liver glycogen structure was characterized through size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Both Student's t-test and Tukey's test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A group of type 2 diabetic rat models were successfully established. Intestinal microbiota analysis showed that ethanol extract of mulberry leaves could partially change intestinal microbiota back to normal conditions. In addition, liver glycogen was restored from fragile state to stable state through administration of ethanol extract of mulberry leaves.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that the ethanol extract of mulberry leaves (MLE) ameliorates intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and strengthens liver glycogen fragility in diabetic rats. These finding can be helpful in discovering the novel therapeutic targets with the help of further investigations.

Aqueous Extract of Mori Folium Exerts Bone Protective Effect Through Regulation of Calcium and Redox Homeostasis via PTH/VDR/CaBP and AGEs/RAGE/Nox4/NF-κB Signaling in Diabetic Rats

Purpose: The present study is aimed to explore whether the aqueous extract of Mori Folium (MF) exhibits bone protective effect by regulating calcium and redox homeostasis in diabetic rats, and to identify the signaling pathways involved in this process. Methods: Diabetic rats were established using high-sugar and high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) (30 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days). The serum levels of osteocalcin (OC), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], parathormone (PTH), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were determined by ELISA or biochemical assays. Histopathological alterations in the femurs were evaluated by the stainings of hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and alizarin red S. In addition, femoral strength was detected by a three-point bending assay, bone microstructure was detected with micro-computer tomography. Bone material properties were examined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, the expressions of IGF-1, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), cathepsin K, AGEs, receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE), NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in the femurs and tibias, and the alterations in the levels of calcium-binding protein-28k (CaBP-28k), transient receptor potential V6 (TRPV6), and vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the kidneys and duodenums were determined by western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. Results: Treatment of diabetic rats with MF aqueous extract induces an increase in the levels of OC and IGF-1 as well as a decrease in TRAP level in serum. MF treatment also upregulates the expression of OPG, downregulates the expressions of AGEs, RAGE, Nox4, NF-κB, and RANKL, which leads to improve bone microstructure and strength exhibited by an increase in cortical area ratio, cortical thickness, and trabecular area ratio as well as ultimate load, elastic modulus, and bending stress in the femurs and tibias of diabetic rats. In addition, MF aqueous extract preserves bone material properties by decreasing the ratio of fatty acid/collagen and increasing the ratio of mineral/matrix in the femurs of diabetic rats. Moreover, MF treatment increases the levels of P, Ca, and 1,25(OH)2D3, and decreases the level of PTH in the serum, as well as upregulates the expressions of TRPV6 and VDR in the duodenums and CaBP-28k in the kidneys of diabetic rats. Additionally, MF has ability of rebuilding redox homeostasis and eliminating inflammatory stress by increasing the levels of SOD and TAC as well as decreasing the levels of IL-6, AGEs, MDA, and 8-OH-dG. Conclusions: MF treatment may improve bone quality through maintenance of calcium homeostasis via regulating the PTH/VDR/CaBP signaling, and elimination of oxidative stress via regulating the AGEs/RAGE/Nox4/NF-κB signaling. These results may suggest the potential of MF in preventing the development of diabetic osteoporosis.

Seasonal variations of iminosugars in mulberry leaves detected by hydrophilic interaction chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive, and validated method was developed for the simultaneous determination of four iminosugars, 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), d-fagomine (FAG), 2-O-a-d-galactopyranosyl-DNJ (Gal-DNJ), and 4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-fagomine (Glu-FAG), in mulberry leaves. The method used hydrophilic interaction chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Based on this method, the seasonal variations of iminosugars in the leaves of different mulberry species (Morus alba, Morus multicaulis Perr, Morus atropurpurea Roxb. and Morus wittiorum Hand-Mazz.) collected in Guangzhou, China, during 10 consecutive months in 2013 were investigated. The results indicated that the maximum content of DNJ in the leaves of all four species occurred in summer (June or July). The highest FAG level was found in spring (April or May). The highest levels of Gal-DNJ and Glu-FAG were recorded in autumn (September or October).