ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Morus nigra L. (Moraceae) is a tree known as black mulberry and the leaves are used in folk medicine in the treatment of diabetes, high cholesterol and menopause symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the M. nigra leaves phytochemical profile in different extractions and the hypolipidemic effect of the infusion comparing to the fenofibrate. Morus nigra infusion (MN) showed higher amounts of phenolics and flavonoids (83.85 mg/g and 79.96 µg/g, respectively), as well as antioxidant activity (83.85%) than decoction or hydromethanolic extracts. Although, decoction showed the best result for ascorbic acid (4.35 mg/100 g) than hydromethanolic or infusion (2.51 or 2.13 mg/100 g, respectively). The phenolic acids gallic, chlorogenic and caffeic and the flavonoids quercetin, rutin and catechin were found in the M. nigra extracts. Hyperlipidemic rats treated with 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg of MN decreased serum cholesterol, triglycerides and normalized lipoproteins. Furthermore, MN inhibited lipid peroxidation in liver, kidney and brain of hyperlipidemic rats. This study provides evidence that M. nigra leaves extracts are rich in polyphenols, mainly chlorogenic acid, which normalized hyperlipidemic disturbance. The results suggest a potential therapeutic effect of the M. nigra leaves infusion on dislipidemic condition and related oxidative stress.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Phenols/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Morus/chemistry , Lipids/blood , Phenols/isolation & purification , Ascorbic Acid/pharmacology , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Rats, Wistar , Disease Models, Animal , Antioxidants/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Mulberry Morus alba L., Moraceae, leaves are used in Brazil medicines against fever, to protect the liver, to lower the blood pressure and cholesterol. The aqueous extract of leaves of M. alba given by oral route to hyperlipidemic rats with diet enriched by cholesterol (1 percent by weight) with dose of 150 mg/kg/day for forteen days reduced significantly by 55,01 percent the plasma triglycerides level. Therefore, the treatment not only decreased the plasma level of triglycerides but also affected a hepatic enzyme tested supportting the fact that the extracts of Morus alba that have been used by folk medicine have a great potential to be further developed into a phytomedicine.
As folhas de amoreira branca Morus alba L., Moraceae, são utilizadas no Brasil na medicina popular para tratar febre, como protetor do fígado, para baixar a pressão e o colesterol. O extrato aquoso de folhas de M. alba foi administrado via oral através de gavagem em ratos hiperlipidêmicos com uma dieta enriquecida com colesterol (1 por cento) com uma dose de 150 mg/kg/dia por quatorze dias que reduziu significativamente em 55,01 por cento o nível de triglicerídios plasmáticos. Desta forma, o tratamento diminuiu o nível de triglicerídios e uma enzima hepática testada, demonstrando que extratos de Morus alba que tem sido popularmente utilizados possuem um grande potencial para se tornar um fitomedicamento.