Phytochemicals, Pharmacological Effects and Molecular Mechanisms of Mulberry
Junyu Hao,
Yufang Gao,
Jiabao Xue,
Yunyun Yang,
Jinjin Yin,
Tao Wu,
Min Zhang
Affiliations
Junyu Hao
State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Food Biotechnology Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
Yufang Gao
National Engineering Laboratory of Intelligent Food Technology and Equipment, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Jiabao Xue
State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Food Biotechnology Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
Yunyun Yang
College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Jinjin Yin
State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Food Biotechnology Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
Tao Wu
State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Food Biotechnology Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
Min Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Food Biotechnology Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
There are numerous varieties of mulberry, and each has high medicinal value and is regarded as a promising source of traditional medicines and functional foods. Nevertheless, the nutrients and uses of mulberry differ from species (Morus alba L., Morus nigra L. and Morus rubra L.). Phenolic compounds are prominent among the biologically active ingredients in mulberry, especially flavonoids, anthocyanins and phenolic acids. Epidemiologic studies suggest that mulberry contains a rich, effective chemical composition and a wide range of biological activity, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and so on. However, compared with other berries, there has been a lack of systematic research on mulberry, and this hinders its further expansion as a functional fruit. The main purpose of this review is to provide the latest data regarding the effective chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of mulberry to support its further therapeutic potential and health functions.
