INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE & BIOLOGY White Mulberry (Morus alba): A Brief Phytochemical and Pharmacological Evaluations Account

Abstract Different plants are rich source of medicines. Since old days, Ayurveda and other disciplines reported the various pharmacological properties of naturally occurring plants against certain specific diseases. Currently, increasing health concern urged the researchers to revitalize the natural products and to alleviate the diseases without harming the body. In spite of medicinal uses of natural products, health supplements from natural products and their use in diet are gaining importance. Several bioactive constituents in natural products have the ability to protect from degenerative diseases and free radical production. The objective of this review is to unveil the phytochemistry, nutritional profile and pharmacologically active constituents of Morus alba L. The bioactive constituents isolated from M. alba such as leachianone and kuwanon G showed antibacterial activities and 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) showed α-glycosidase inhibitors activity. Likewise, M. alba extract and its other compounds usually flavonoids have antioxidant properties by scavenging free radicals and protect many organs from oxidative stress. Anti HIV and chemo-protective activities have also been reported but further research may reveal their exact mode of actions