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For centuries, mulberry (Morus spp.) has been a pillar of traditional herbal medicine.
While many are aware of the health benefits and therapeutic potential of its fruits and leaves, the bark of the mulberry tree, especially its roots, has untapped potential. Traditionally used to soothe inflammations, protect the liver and kidneys, and relieve pain, this humble bark now held attention for an even more remarkable quality: its potential in the fight against cancer.
Recent studies have begun to explore how maturation root bark extracts reduce inflammation and also have promising anticancer properties.
Anti-inflammatory power of the mulberry tree
Mulberry trees have long been known for their medicinal properties, and one of their main assets is their anti-inflammatory effect. Recent studies show that extracts from different parts of the mulberry tree, including its bark and fruit, significantly reduce inflammation.
A key study published in the journal Molecules revealed that the ethanolic extract of white mulberry fruit contains high levels of flavonoids and phenolic compounds. These natural compounds are essential because they help to combat oxidative stress – one of the main causes of inflammation. Oxidative stress is caused by overproduction of oxygen reactive species (ROS), and maturation extract has been shown to neutralise these harmful molecules, including inflammation at its source.
In addition to neutralising ROS, the maturation extract inhibits the MAPK pathway, a series of intracellular signals that contribute to inflammation. By blocking certain enzymes (such as p38 and JNK) active in this route, the extract prevents the escalation of inflammation. A specific compound of mulberry, rutin, also works by inhibiting p38 in this same pathway.
Another advantage of maturation extracts is their ability to reinforce the body’s natural antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione, that protect cells from damage and thereby further mitigate inflammation. The extract also regulates nitric oxide (NO) levels in the body, a molecule which, when produced in excess due to infections or injuries, contributes to inflammation. The maturation bark extract helps to lower NO levels by controlling the enzymes responsible for its production, especially under inflammatory conditions.
Research also highlights oxygensverrol, an active compound of the mulberry tree, which inhibits the migration of leukocytes (white blood cells), a key element of the inflammatory process. This compound blocks a specific pathway, the MEK/ERK signalling pathway, which plays a crucial role in inflammatory responses.
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