Chan Eric Wei-Chiang, Lye Phui-Yan, Wong Siu-Kuin
Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Chin J Nat Med. 2016 Jan;14(1):17-30. doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1009.2016.00017.
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.
本综述旨在全面总结桑树（Morus alba）的植物学、用途、植物化学、药理学及临床试验情况。几个世纪以来，桑叶一直是家蚕的主要食物。其叶子还被用作家畜的饲料，其果实被制成了各种食品。以黄酮类化合物为主要成分，桑叶具有多种生物活性，包括抗氧化、抗菌、美白、细胞毒性、抗糖尿病、抑制葡萄糖苷酶、抗高血脂、抗动脉粥样硬化、抗肥胖、心脏保护和认知增强活性。桑椹富含花青素和生物碱，具有抗氧化、抗糖尿病、抗动脉粥样硬化、抗肥胖和保肝等药理特性。桑根皮含有黄酮类化合物、生物碱和芪类化合物，具有抗菌、美白、细胞毒性、抗炎和抗高血脂特性。桑树的其他药理特性包括抗血小板、抗焦虑、抗哮喘、驱虫、抗抑郁、心脏保护和免疫调节活性。已开展了关于桑树提取物降低血糖和胆固醇水平以及增强认知能力功效的临床试验。桑树不同部位的植物化学和药理学特性赋予了其作为饲料、食品、化妆品和药物的传统及当前用途。总体而言，桑树是一种具有良好药用特性的多功能植物。
