Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Special issue on Mini Reviews

Vol. 10 No. sp2 (2023)

Pharmacological Treasures of the Moraceae Family: Bioactive Compounds and Therapeutic Potential

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.2385
Submitted
27 January 2023
Published
16-10-2023 — Updated on 23-10-2023
Versions

Abstract

The Moraceae family, comprising 50 genera and around 1,400 species thriving in tropical and subtropical regions globally, holds profound botanical significance. Esteemed for its medicinal attributes, this review presents a comprehensive synthesis of the family's bioactive constituents, traditional applications, and pharmaceutical potential. Within the phytochemical realm, Moraceae plants offer a rich array of active agents, including flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, phytoalexins (such as chalcomoracin), anthocyanins, and glycoproteins, with promising pharmacological potential. Pharmacologically, the review reveals a wide spectrum of effects, including antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, anthelmintic, antihypertensive, and antimicrobial properties. Drawing from an exhaustive literature analysis and in-depth study of Moraceae's bioactivity and phytochemical composition, along with exploration of its traditional uses and pharmacological effects, this discourse aims to guide future researchers. With herbal products' substantial potential, this review serves as a valuable resource for advancing botanical medicine research.

References

  1. Frodin DG. History and concepts of big plant genera, Taxon.2004;53(3);753–776. https://doi.org/10.2307/4135449
  2. Berg CC, Nannapat P, Chantarasuwan B. Moraceae, In: Santisuk et al. (eds.) Flora of Thailand., 10 (4), 475-675. The Forest Herbarium, Bangkok, Thailand; 2011.
  3. Ahmed F, Urooj A. Traditional uses, medicinal properties, and phytopharmacology of Ficus racemosa: a review. Pharm Biol. 2010 Jun;48(6):672-81. doi: 10.3109/13880200903241861.
  4. Tijani AY, Uguru MO, Salawu OA. Anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrhoeal properties of Faidherbia albida in rats. African Journal of Biotechnology. 2008;7(6). t PST#2385 Revised -clean version 13.07.2023.docx
  5. Gill LS. Taxonomy of flowering plants. Africana-Fep Publishers Limited. 1988;1067.
  6. Mukherjee PK., Wahile A. Integrated approach towards drug development from Ayurveda and other Indian system of medicines. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2006;103: 25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.09.024
  7. Gilani AH, Rahman A. Trends in ethnopharmacology. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005;100: 43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.06.001
  8. Rahman AHM. Mahbubur, and Anamika Khanom. "A Taxonomic and Ethno-Medicinal Study of Species from Moraceae (Mulberry) Family in Bangladesh Flora." Research in Plant Sciences 1.3 2013: 53-57. https://doi.org/10.12691/plant-1-3-1
  9. Gautam S, Meshram A, Bhagyawant SS and Srivastava N: Ficus Religiosa– Potential role in Pharmaceuticals. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2014; 5(5): 1616-23.doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.5 (5).1616-23
  10. Lyngkhoi F, Saini N, Gaikwad AB, Thirunavukkarasu N, Verma P, Silvar C, Yadav S, Khar A. Genetic diversity and population structure in onion (Allium cepa L.) accessions based on morphological and molecular approaches. Physiol Mol Biol Plants. 2021;27(11):2517-2532. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-021-01101-3
  11. Sitorus P, Keliat JM, Asfianti V, Muhammad M, Satria D. A Literature Review of Artocarpus lacucha Focusing on the Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Properties of the Plant. Molecules. 2022; 27(20):6940. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27206940
  12. Gupta, A.K., Pathak, U., Medhi, M., Mastinu, A., Sikarwar, M.S. and Mishra, P. Botanical, Chemical and Pharmacological Properties of Artocarpus lakoocha (Monkey Fruit): A Review. Agricultural Reviews. 2020;41(4): 305-316. http://dx.doi.org/10.18805/ag.R-1989
  13. El-Fishawy, A., Zayed, R. & Afifi, S. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies of Ficus auriculata Lour. Journal of Natural Products.2011; 4:184-195. DOI:10.1055/s-0031-1282654
  14. Saini S, Dhiman A, Nanda S. Traditional Indian medicinal plants with potential wound healing activity: a review. International journal of pharmaceutical sciences and research. 2016;7(5):1809. https://doi.org/10.13040/ijpsr.0975-8232.7(5).1809-19
  15. Ibrahim M. Pharmacological potential of Ficus benghalensis: A Mini Review. Phytopharmacology Research Journal. 2022;1(2):19-23. PST#2385 Revised -clean version 13.07.2023.docx
  16. Rao KV. Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of Ficus elasticaRoxb.(Moraceae) leaves. http://dx.doi.org/10.5958/0974-360X.2015.00043.8
  17. Ali, M. & Chaudhary, N. Ficus hispidaLinn.: A review of its pharmacognostic and ethnomedicinal properties. Pharmacognosy reviews, 2011;5(9):96–102.https://doi.org/10.4103%2F0973-7847.79104
  18. Joshi, H., Vaishnav, D., Sanghvi, G., Rabadia, S., Airao, V., Sharma, T., Parmar, S., Sheth, N. Ficus recemosa bark extract attenuates diabetic complications and oxidative stress in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Pharm. Biol. 2016;54:1586–1595.https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2015.1110596
  19. Liao CR, Kao CP, Peng WH, Chang YS, Lai SC, Ho YL. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol extract of Ficus pumila L. in mice. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012;1:2012. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/429320
  20. Ahmed F, Urooj A. Traditional uses, medicinal properties, and phytopharmacology of Ficus racemosa: A review. Pharmaceutical biology. 2010;48(6):672-81. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880200903241861
  21. Singh D, Goel RK. Anticonvulsant effect of Ficus religiosa: role of serotonergic pathways. Journal of ethnopharmacology. 2009;123(2):330-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.02.042
  22. Ibrahim MA, Zakaria NH. Pharmacology of Ficus: A review. IOSR Journal Of Pharmacy 2017;7(3):60-71, doi:10.9790/3013-0703014960
  23. Gupta S, Acharya R. Antioxidant and nutritional evaluation of BhuUdumbara (Ficus semicordata Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.) leaves and fruits: An extra pharmacopoeial drug of Ayurveda. Ayu. 2019;40(2):120. https://doi.org/10.4103%2Fayu.AYU_289_18
  24. Dangarembizi R, Erlwanger KH, Chivandi E. Effects of Ficus thonningii extracts on the gastrointestinal tract and clinical biochemistry of suckling rats. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 2014;11(2):285-91. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v11i2.10
  25. Oliveira AP, Valentão P, Pereira JA, Silva BM, Tavares F, Andrade PB. Ficus carica L.: Metabolic and biological screening. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2009 Nov 1;47(11):2841-6.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2009.09.004
  26. Gibernau M, Buser HR, Frey JE, Hossaert-McKey M. Volatile compounds from extracts of figs of Ficus carica. Phytochemistry. 1997;46(2):241-4.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00292-6
  27. Kosankar KV, Aher AN. The Phytoconstituents and pharmacological actions of Ficus racemosa Linn (Family: Moraceae)-An updated review. PharmaTutor. 2018;6(12):55-63.https://doi.org/10.29161/PT.v6.i12.2018.55
  28. Oyedemi SO, Afolayan AJ. In vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of aqueous leaves extract of Leonotisleonurus (L.) R. Br. International Journal of Pharmacology. 2011;7(2):248-56.https://doi.org/10.3923/ijp.2011.248.256
  29. Poongothai A, Sreena KP, Sreejith K., Uthiralingam M, Annapoorani S. Preliminary phytochemical screening of Ficus racemosa Linn bark. International Journal of Pharma and Bio-sciences, 2011;2: 431434.
  30. Ogunwande IA, Sonibare MA, Thang TD, Dung NX, Soladoye MO, Morohunfolu OO. Comparative analysis of the oils of three Ficus species from Nigeria. Journal of Essential Oil Research. 2008;20(5):386-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2008.9700037
  31. Li J, Lin Z, Tang X, Liu G, Chen Y, Zhai X, Huang Q, Cao Y. Oxyresveratrol extracted from Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. inhibits tyrosinase and age pigments in vitro and in vivo. Food & function. 2020;11(7):6595-607. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0FO01193B
  32. Yu MH, Zhao T, Yan GR, Yang HX, Wang HY, Hou AJ. New isoprenylated flavones and stilbene derivative from Artocarpus hypargyreus. Chemistry & Biodiversity. 2012;9(2):394-402. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.201100072
  33. Sá IS, Neves KO, Guimaraes AC, da Silva FM, de CS Nunomura R. Chalcones and flavans from the bark of Brosimumacutifolium subsp. interjectum (Moraceae). Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 2020;93:104175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bse.2020.104175
  34. Qi CC, Fu YH, Chen WH, Chen GY, Dai CY, Song XP, Han CR. A new isoflavone from the roots of Ficus auriculata. Natural product research. 2018;32(1):43-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2017.1329728
  35. Murugesu S, Selamat J, Perumal V. Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Properties, and Recent Applications of Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosa. Plants (Basel). 2021 Dec 14;10(12):2749. doi: 10.3390/plants10122749.https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122749
  36. Novelli S, Lorena C, Antonella C. Identification of alkaloid’s profile in Ficus benjamina L. extracts with higher antioxidant power. American Journal of Plant Sciences. 2014;5(26):4029. http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=52913abstract
  37. Van Kiem P, Van Minh C, Nhiem NX, Cuong NX, Tai BH, Quang TH, Anh HL, Yen PH, Ban NK, Kim SH, Xin M. Inhibitory effect on TNF-?-induced IL-8 secretion in HT-29 cell line by glyceroglycolipids from the leaves of Ficus microcarpa. Archives of pharmacal research. 2012;35:2135-42.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-012-1210-8
  38. Al-Musayeib N, Ebada SS, Gad HA, Youssef FS, Ashour ML. Chemotaxonomic diversity of three Ficus species: their discrimination using chemometric analysis and their role in combating oxidative stress. Pharmacognosy Magazine. 2017;13(Suppl 3):S613.https://doi.org/10.4103%2Fpm.pm_579_16
  39. Afzan A, Kasim N, Ismail NH, Azmi N, Ali AM, Mat N, Wolfender JL. Differentiation of Ficus deltoidea varieties and chemical marker determination by UHPLC-TOFMS metabolomics for establishing quality control criteria of this popular Malaysian medicinal herb. Metabolomics. 2019;15:1-1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-019-1489-2
  40. Taiwo BJ, Igbeneghu OA. Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of flavonoid glycosides from Ficus exasperate Vahl-Holl (moraceae) leaves. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 2014 Jul 9;11(3):97-101. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v11i3.14
  41. Zhang Y, Li Y, Ma P, Chen J, Xie W. Ficus carica leaves extract inhibited pancreatic ?-cell apoptosis by inhibiting AMPK/JNK/caspase-3 signaling pathway and antioxidation. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2020 Feb 1;122:109689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109689
  42. Rathod V.D., Digambar N.W., Pillai S., Bhangale J.O., Bhangale P.J. Antiarthritic activity of ethanolic extract of Ficus religiosa leaves in FCA induced arthritis in rats. World J. Pharm. Res. 2018;7:778–789. https://doi.org/10.20959/wjpr20182-10661
  43. Chandrasekaran C., Dethe S., Mundkinajeddu D., Pandre M.K., Balachandran J., Agarwal A., Hiraganahalli B.D., Chinampudur V.C. Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of standardized herbal extracts. Pharmacogn. Mag. 2012;8:116–123. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1296.96553
  44. Tamuly C, Buragohain R, Hazarika M, Bora J, Gajurel PR. Assessment of antioxidant activity of six Ficus species Underutilized fruits from Arunachal Pradesh in north east india. International journal of fruit science. 2015;15(1):85-99. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538362.2014.931174
  45. Yu L, Shi H. Effect of two mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf polyphenols on improving the quality of fresh-cut cantaloupe during storage. Food Control. 2021;121:107624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107624
  46. Xia CL, Tang GH, Guo YQ, Xu YK, Huang ZS, Yin S. Mulberry Diels-Alder-type adducts from Morus alba as multi-targeted agents for Alzheimer's disease. Phytochemistry. 2019;157:82-91.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2018.10.028
  47. Xu X, Huang Y, Xu J, He X, Wang Y. Anti-neuroinflammatory and antioxidant phenols from mulberry fruit (Morus alba L.). Journal of Functional Foods. 2020;68:103914. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2020.103914
  48. Yuan Q, Xie Y, Wang W, Yan Y, Ye H, Jabbar S, Zeng X. Extraction optimization, characterization and antioxidant activity in vitro of polysaccharides from mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves. Carbohydrate Polymers. 2015;128:52-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.04.028
  49. Wang M, Yu BW, Yu MH, Gao LX, Li JY, Wang HY, Li J, Hou AJ. New isoprenylated phenolic compounds from Morus laevigata. Chem Biodivers, 2015; 12(6):937–45. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.201400210.
  50. Tuse T., Bidkar A., Bhale S., Patankar R. In-Vitro anthelmintic activity of aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis. Int. J. Pharmacol. Res. 2011;1:10–13. https://doi.org/10.7439/ijpr.v1i1.147
  51. Bae SH, Suh HJ. Antioxidant activities of five different mulberry cultivars in Korea. LWT-Food Sci Technol, 2007;40:955-962.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2006.06.007
  52. Memete AR, Timar AV, Vuscan AN, Miere Groza F, Venter AC, Vicas SI. Phytochemical Composition of Different Botanical Parts of Morus Species, Health Benefits and Application in Food Industry. Plants (Basel). 2022 6;11(2):152. doi: 10.3390/plants11020152.
  53. Yang J., Liu X., Zhang X., Jin Q., Li J. Phenolic Profiles, Antioxidant Activities, and Neuroprotective Properties of Mulberry (Morus Atropurpurea Roxb.) Fruit Extracts from Different Ripening Stages. J. Food Sci. 2016;81:C2439–C2446. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.13426.
  54. Flaczyk E., Kobus-Cisowska J., Przeor M., Korczak J., Remiszewski M., Korbas E., Buchowski M. Chemical Characterization and Antioxidative Properties of Polish Variety of Morus alba L. Leaf Aqueous Extracts from the Laboratory and Pilot-Scale Processes. Agric. Sci. 2013;4:141–147. doi: 10.4236/as.2013.45B026.
  55. Liu YP, Guo JM, Yan G, Zhang MM, Zhang WH, Qiang L, Fu YH. Anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative prenylated isoflavone derivatives from the fruits of Ficus carica. J Agric Food Chem, 2019; 67(17):4817–23.
  56. Phaniendra A., Jestadi D.B., Periyasamy L. Free Radicals: Properties, Sources, Targets, and Their Implication in Various Diseases. Indian J. Clin. Biochem. IJCB. 2015;30:11–26. doi: 10.1007/s12291-014-0446-0.
  57. Han Q, Gao H, Chen H, Fang X, Wu W. Precooling and ozone treatments affects postharvest quality of black mulberry (Morus nigra) fruits. Food chemistry. 2017;221:1947-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.11.152
  58. Ge Q., Chen L., Tang M., Zhang S., Liu L., Gao L., Ma S., Kong M., Yao Q., Feng F., et al. Analysis of Mulberry Leaf Components in the Treatment of Diabetes Using Network Pharmacology. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2018;833:50–62. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.05.021.
  59. Bae SH, Suh HJ. Antioxidant activities of five different mulberry cultivars in Korea. LWT-Food Sci Technol, 2007;40:955-962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2006.06.007
  60. Asai, A., Nakagawa, K., Higuchi, O., Kimura, T., Kojima, Y., Kariya, J., … Oikawa, S., Effect of mulberry leaf extract with enriched 1-deoxynojirimycin content on postprandial glycemic control in subjects with impaired glucose metabolism. Journal of Diabetes Investigation, 2011; 2(4), 318–323. doi:10.1111/j.2040-1124.2011.00101.x
  61. Deep P, Singh KA, Ansari MT, Raghav P. Pharmacological potentials of Ficus racemosa a review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research. 2013;22(1):29-34. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6597092
  62. Kong WH, Oh SH, Ahn YR, Kim KW, Kim JH, Seo SW. Antiobesity effects and improvement of insulin sensitivity by 1- deoxynojirimycin in animal models. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2008;56:2613-2619. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf073223i
  63. Jeong JC, Jang SW, Kim TH, Kwon CH, Kim YK. Mulberry fruit (Moris fructus) extracts induce human glioma cell death in vitro through ROS-dependent mitochondrial pathway and inhibits glioma tumor growth in vivo. Nutr cancer 2010;62:402-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/01635580903441287
  64. Naowaratwattana W, De-Eknamkul W, De Mejia EG. Phenoliccontaining organic extracts of mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves inhibit HepG2 hepatoma cells through G2/M phase arrest, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of topoisomerase IIa activity. J Med Food 2010;13:1045- 56. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2010.1021
  65. Dat NT, Binh PT, Quynl le TP, Minh CV, Huong HT, Lee JJ. Cytotoxic prenylated flavonoids from Morus alba. Fitoterapia 2010;81:1224-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2010.08.006
  66. Qadir MI, Ali M, Ibrahim Z. Anticancer activity of Morus nigra leaves extract. Bangladesh J Pharmacol 2014;9:496-497. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjp.v9i4.19783
  67. Tahira Aziz Mughal, Samia Arshad and Sana Mahboob. Evaluation of anthelmintic activity of some members of family Moraceae. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research . 2013;7(30), 2275-2279, doi:10.5897/JMPR2013.4420
  68. Yang NC, Jhou KY, Tseng CY. Antihypertensive effect of mulberry leaf aqueous extract containing ?-aminobutyric acid in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Food Chemistry. 2012 Jun 15;132(4):1796-801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.11.143
  69. Jeong M, Kim H, Cha J . Antimicrobial activity of methanol extract from Ficus carica leaves against oral bacteria. J Bacteriol Virol 2009; 39: 97–102. https://doi.org/10.4167/jbv.2009.39.2.97
  70. Sureeporn S, Thida K, Itthayakorn P, Mickael D. and Yingmanee T. Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of White Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Fruit Extracts.Plants (Basel) 2021 Dec; 10(12): 2736. doi: 10.3390/plants10122736
  71. Farnsworth NR, Akerele O, Bingel AS, Soejarto DD, Guo Z. Medicinal plants in therapy. Bull World Health Organ, 1985;63(6):965-81. PMID: 3879679; PMCID: PMC2536466.
  72. Javaid A, Zafar S, Khattak M, Khan F, Wadud S. Effects of administration of taraxacum officinale’s extract on renal parameters in cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in albino mice. Khyber Medical University Journal. 2019 Sep 30;11(3):156-9. https://doi.org/10.35845/kmuj.2019.19172
  73. Sofowora A, Ogunbodede E, Onayade A. The role and place of medicinal plants in the strategies for disease prevention. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2013 Aug 12;10(5):210-29. doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v10i5.2.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.