Journal of Medicinal Plants Research Vol. 5(20), pp.

5197-5199, 30 September, 2011

Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/JMPR
ISSN 1996-0875 ©2011 Academic Journals

Short Communication

Morus nigra - L. A.
E. Mohiuddin1, Khan Usmanghani1, M. Akram1*, H.M.Asif2, Naveed Akhtar2, Pervaiz A. Shah3
and M. Uzair4
1
Faculty of Eastern Medicine, Hamdard University Karachi, Pakistan.
2
College of Conventional Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine, The Islamia University of
Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
3
University College of Pharmacy, Punjab University Lahore, Pakistan.
4
Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan.
Accepted 30 August, 2011

Morus nigra L. (Moraceae) belongs to the genus Morus and is found in Africa, South America and in
Asia. M. nigra has been used in Unani medicine as antitussive, diuretic, expectorant and hypotensive. It
has wide range of medicinal uses and can be used either as single drug or compound drugs to treat
different ailments. The phenolic compounds of M. nigra have anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial activities.
The bark of M. nigra has been used as antihelmintic and its extracts have antibacterial and fungicidal
activity. In present article, medicinal uses of M. nigra have been discussed.

Key words: Morus nigra, active constituents, previous research study.

INTRODUCTION

English name of Morus nigra is black mulberry.
Vernacular name is “shah tut”. It belongs to family
moraceae. This is commonly found in Pakistan and west
Asia. Fruits and Leaves of M. nigra are usually used for
treatment of various ailments (Usmanghani et al., 1997).
A deciduous tree growing up to 10 by 15 m at a slow rate.
It is in flower from May to June and the seeds ripen from
August to September. The flowers are monoecious
(individual flowers are either male or female, but both
sexes can be found on the same plant). The plant is self-
fertile. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy)
and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The
plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can
grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It
requires moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution
(Usmanghani et al., 1997; Dharmananda, 2003). The aim
of this study was to document the medicinal uses of M.
nigra.
PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS
Though not studied intensively, mulberry fruits appear to
contain one main class of non-nutrient active
constituents, which are the anthocyanins. In particular, it
is known to contain cyanin (VI), which contributes the red
pigment that gives the fruit a red to purple color (Naderi
et al., 2004). The content in ripe fruits is about 0.2%; an
ounce of fruit would provide about 60 mg anthocyanins.
The dried fruits are used in doses of 9 to15 g per day in
decoction, and this can yield about 90 to 150 mg of
anthocyanins. In Chinese diets, this component may
have been low, in which case, such herbal supplements
(decoctions or juices) can be an important source
(Grieve, 1984) (Figure 1).
RESEARCH STUDY
Nutritional evaluation of M. nigra
A study was done in which nutritional value of M. nigra
was evaluated. The values for moisture, ash, protein,
lipids, crude fibers, pectin, carbohydrates and computed
calorific values were analyzed. M. nigra was proved to be
good nutritional source and balanced diet (Ikhtiar et al.,
2008).

Anti-inflammatory properties of M. nigra leaves

*Corresponding author. E-mail: makram_0451@yahoo.com.
Tel: 92-021-6440083. Fax: 92-021-6440079. A study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory
5198 J. Med. Plant. Res.
Cyanin (VI)
Figure 1. Cyanin.
activity of M. nigra. Anti-inflammatory activity of M. nigra
extract (MnE) was investigated on Carrageen an-induced
paw edema. The MnE at test doses of 100 to 300 mg/kg
p.o. clearly demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by
reduced paw edema induced by carrageen (Marina,
2010).
Studies on chemical constituents from bark of M.
nigra
A study was conducted to investigate the chemical
constituents in the barks of M. nigra. In this study, nine
compounds were isolated and identified as olcancolic
acid, apigenin, cyclocommunol, morusin, cyclomorusin,
kuwanon C, daucosterol, ursolic acid and 63-sitosterol
(Wang, 2007).
DISCUSSION
Anthelmintic, astringent, homeopathy, hypoglycemic,
laxative, odontalgic, purgative
The mulberry has a long history of medicinal use in
Chinese medicine; almost all parts of the plant are used
in one way or another. The white mulberry (Morus alba)
is normally used, but this species has the same
properties. Recent research has shown improvements in
elephantiasis when treated with leaf extract injections and
in tetanus following oral doses of the sap mixed with
sugar, Analgesic, emollient, sedative. The leaves are
antibacterial, astringent, diaphoretic, hypoglycemic,
odontalgic and ophthalmic (Zheng et al., 2010). They are
taken internally in the treatment of colds, influenza, eye
infections and nosebleeds. The leaves are collected after
the first frosts of autumn and can be used fresh but are
generally dried. The stems are antirheumatic, diuretic,
hypotensive and pectoral. A tincture of the bark is used to
relieve toothache. The branches are harvested in late
spring or early summer and are dried for later use. The
fruit has a tonic effect on kidney energy. It is used in the
treatment of urinary incontinence, tinnitus, premature
greying of the hair and constipation in the elderly. Its
main use in herbal medicine is as a colouring and
flavoring in other medicines (Souza et al., 2000). The root
bark is antitussive, diuretic, expectorant and hypotensive.
It is used internally in the treatment of asthma, coughs,
bronchitis, edema, hypertension and diabetes. The roots
are harvested in the winter and dried for later use. The
bark is anthelmintic and purgative, it is used to expel tape
worms. Extracts of the plant have antibacterial and
fungicidal activity. A homeopathic remedy is made from
the leaves. It is used in the treatment of diabetes (Bown,
1984; Chiej, 1984; Duke and Ayensu, 1985; Chopra et
al., 1986). The root bark extract contains deoxyjirimycin
(DNJ), an alkaloid has been identified in root bark of M.
nigra. This alkaloid has been observed effective against
AIDS virus. An infusion of M. nigra leaves are effective in
lowering blood sugar level (Singh and Ghosh, 1992),
sometimes diuresis and a reduction of arterial pressure.
The fruits are one of the constituent of Unani medicine
named “Tut- i-aswad” which is said to be against cancer
(Ahmad et al., 1985).
CONCLUSION
M. nigra has been used as expectorant and antitussive in
Unani system of medicine. As a conclusion, it is found
that M. nigra is used to treat a variety of ailments and is
effective for the treatment of cough, influenza, asthma
and bronchitis.
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