Biosynthetic pathways and related genes regulation of bioactive ingredients in mulberry leaves

Abstract

Mulberry leaves are served not only as fodder for silkworms but also as potential functional food, exhibiting nutritional and medical benefits due to the complex and diverse constituents, including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and benzofurans, which possess a wide range of biological activities, such as anti-diabete, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and so on. Nevertheless, compared with the well-studied phytochemistry and pharmacology of mulberry leaves, the current understanding of the biosynthesis mechanisms and regulatory mechanisms of active ingredients in mulberry leaves remain unclear. Natural resources of these active ingredients are limited owing to their low contents in mulberry leaves tissues and the long growth cycle of mulberry. Biosynthesis is emerging as an alternative means for accumulation of the desired high-value compounds, which can broaden channels for their large-scale green productions. Therefore, this review summarizes the recent research advance on the correlative key genes, enzyme biocatalytic reactions and biosynthetic pathways of valuable natural ingredients (i.e. alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and benzofurans) in mulberry leaves, thereby offering important insights for their further biomanufacturing.

Potential Role and Mechanism of Mulberry Extract in Immune Modulation: Focus on Chemical Compositions, Mechanistic Insights, and Extraction Techniques

“…These compounds are also shown to inhibit pathways related to metabolic disorders like insulin resistance and improper cell function. Specific microbial communities, such as Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, play a crucial role in energy metabolism and cellular physiological functions [148,166]. Ongoing research has revealed that certain mulberry compounds like flavonoids, polysaccharides, alkaloids, and phenolic acids can enhance gut microbiota diversity in animal models with certain metabolic disorders, as shown in Table 3.…”