Study published in the international journal “Food & Function”, which links the chemistry and physics of food with health and nutrition.
“Food&Function” is an open-access and peer-reviewed journal published by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
This article is of particular interest to the GO Serinnovation as it pertains to the innovative uses of Silk and Its By-Products and it was written in collaboration with Dr. Silvia Cappellozza and Dr. Alessio Saviane of CREA of Padua.
In vitro bioactivity evaluation of mulberry leaf extracts as nutraceuticals for the management of diabetes mellitus
ABSTRACT
There is an increasing need for new options to treat diabetes mellitus at its early stage and natural remedies have been recently reassessed as potential candidates owing to their low-cost and effectiveness. Genus Morus plants contain many active compounds with hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant effects. Current research on mulberry chemical composition and bioactivity has been generally carried out only on Asian cultivation, where this plant has been traditionally used in the form of leaf infusion for decades. In this work, twelve Italian mulberry cultivars were fully characterised to fill this gap of knowledge, since a strong correlation among composition, genetics and growing area was proven. Antiglycative and hypoglycaemic effects of leaf extracts were evaluated using different in vitro models.
The results indicate that the inhibitory effect on carbohydrate digestive enzymes was likely mediated by 1-deoxynojirimycin, kaempferol, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid, acting in a synergistic way. Besides, the combined antiglycative and carbonyl trapping capacities, tested here for the first time, may help in preventing long-term complications related to AGEs in diabetic patients.
Authors
Lucia Marchetti (a,b), Eleonora Truzzi (a), Ilaria Frosi (c), Adele Papetti (c), Silvia Cappellozza (d), Alessio Saviane (d), Federica Pellati (a), Davide Bertelli (a).
(b) Doctorate School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM) – University of Modena and Reggio Emilia – Modena, Italy
(c) Department of Drug Sciences – University of Pavia – Pavia, Italy