Search Results (25)

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder closely associated with dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Mulberry leaves are rich in bioactive proteins, but whether mulberry leaf albumin-type protein can improve diet-induced obesity remains unclear. In this study, ultrafiltered mulberry leaf albumin-type protein (UMP) was prepared and its anti-obesity effects were evaluated in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6J mice. UMP contained 87.12 ± 0.52 g/100 g protein, 2.52 ± 0.00 g/100 g polyphenols, and 8.21 ± 1.49 g/100 g polysaccharides, with two major albumin-type protein bands of approximately 14 and 52 kDa. Structural analysis showed that UMP was mainly composed of β-turns and α-helices. In HFD-fed mice, daily administration of UMP for 16 weeks reduced body weight gain by 3.85 g and 5.63 g in the low- and high-dose groups, respectively, without affecting food intake. Biochemical assays, glucose and insulin tolerance tests, and histological analysis showed that UMP improved insulin responsiveness, alleviated serum dyslipidemia, reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, and decreased circulating alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lipopolysaccharide levels. Histological analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance-based short-chain fatty acid quantification further showed that UMP protected colonic morphology and increased colonic short-chain fatty acid levels. Gut microbiota analysis showed that UMP restored microbial diversity, reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio, and enriched potentially beneficial genera, including Ileibacterium and norank_f_Muribaculaceae. Fecal biochemical assays suggested that UMP promoted fecal free fatty acid excretion and partially improved bile acid-related metabolic alterations. Untargeted serum metabolomics revealed that UMP reshaped metabolic pathways related to lipid turnover, bile acid signaling, glucose utilization, and glucuronidation. Correlation analysis linked UMP-enriched bacterial taxa with key metabolites involved in fatty acid and energy metabolism. Together, these findings indicate that UMP attenuates HFD-induced obesity through coordinated regulation of gut microbiota, intestinal metabolites, and systemic metabolic homeostasis. UMP may therefore represent a promising functional dietary protein for the prevention of obesity-related metabolic disorders. Full article

Mulberry (Morus spp.) is valued for sericulture, medicine, and ecological restoration of degraded lands. Phospholipase A (PLA) enzymes hydrolyze membrane lipids and play critical roles in plant growth and stress responses, yet the PLA family in mulberry remains uncharacterized. Here, we performed genome-wide identification of Morus notabilis PLA genes in order to systematically analyze their phylogenetic relationships and gene structures, and profile their expression across tissues and under drought and salt stress, thereby providing candidate genes for future functional studies on stress tolerance. Fifty non-redundant PLA genes were identified and classified into three subfamilies: pPLA (22), PLA2 (nine), and PLA1 (19). Most predicted PLA proteins are small (100–500 aa) with predicted instability. Gene structures varied from 1 to 21 exons, and subfamily specific conserved domains (patatin/C2, PLATZ, lipase_3) were detected. Promoters contained stress- and hormone-responsive elements. Expression patterns across five tissues revealed distinct preferential patterns: 56% of genes showed highest expression in roots, with one-fifth in leaves. Under stress, 10 and 12 MnPLA genes were increased >2-fold (log₂FC > 1.0) by drought and salt, respectively. Notably, XP_010108435.1 and XP_024022961.1 exhibited leaf-specific high expression and were salt-induced (log₂FC > 1.0); XP_010090405.1 (leaf-specific low) was drought-induced (log₂FC > 1.0); and XP_024023462.1 (root-specific high) was induced by both stresses. These results provide a basis for functional studies and genetic improvement of stress tolerance in mulberry. Full article

Sugarcane ensiling is often compromised by low dry matter (DM) and high soluble carbohydrate content, which promote undesirable alcoholic fermentation and substantial nutrient losses. This study evaluated the inclusion of dehydrated mulberry leaves (Morus nigra) as a natural additive to modulate the fermentative profile and improve the quality of sugarcane silage. Treatments consisted of sugarcane silage without additives (CON) or with mulberry inclusion (MUL; 24 g/kg as-fed). During ensiling, CON silages acidified faster, whereas MUL silages maintained higher pH values and greater preservation of soluble solids. At silo opening (60 d), MUL silages exhibited lower ammonia nitrogen and a 59.1% reduction in total DM losses, primarily driven by reduced effluent production. Lactic acid concentration remained unaffected by treatments. Mulberry inclusion significantly enhanced the nutritive value by increasing DM and crude protein contents while reducing fiber fractions. Consequently, in vitro degradation of DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased by 27.8% and 72.6%, respectively. Upon aerobic exposure, MUL silages showed altered pH and soluble carbohydrate dynamics compared to CON. In conclusion, including mulberry leaves is an effective and sustainable strategy to mitigate fermentative losses, as well as improve the nutritive value of sugarcane silage. Full article

Background: This study aimed to explore the synergistic hypoglycemic effect and mechanism of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) in mulberry leaves and theaflavins (TFs) in black tea. Methods: The synergistic inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase by DNJ-TFs was evaluated using enzyme assays and the Chou–Talalay model. Insulin-resistant (IR) HepG2 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus mice were treated with DNJ, TFs, or DNJ-TFs, determining the efficacy of drug combinations by measuring glycolipids and inflammatory factors. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to identify key target genes and signaling pathways, and CETSA experiments were used to verify the binding of drugs to targets. Key genes were further verified by immunofluorescence, Western blot, and Real-time PCR. Results: DNJ-TFs synergistically suppressed α-glucosidase (CI = 0.85) and α-amylase (CI = 0.76). In HepG2 cells, DNJ-TFs ameliorated palmitic acid-induced IR by promoting glucose uptake, attenuating lipid accumulation, and regulating glycolipid metabolism. In HFD mice, DNJ-TFs counteracted hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, elevated HOMA-IR, and hepatic steatosis. Network pharmacology integrated with experimental validation identified PTGS2 and MMP9 as key binding targets of DNJ and TFs. Furthermore, DNJ-TFs could inhibit the increase in liver TNFα protein and the decrease in p-AKT, p-GSKα, p-GSKβ, and GLUT2 protein caused by high fat, both in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: DNJ and TFs exert synergistic glucose-lowering effects by targeting PTGS2/MMP9 and regulating the TNFα/AKT/GSK3/GLUT2 axis, providing a promising natural therapeutic strategy for diabetes management. Full article

Soil salinization severely limits plant growth and productivity. Mulberry (Morus alba L.), an economically and ecologically important tree, is widely cultivated, yet its salt-tolerance mechanisms at the seedling stage remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated the physiological and biochemical responses of two-year-old mulberry (‘Tailai Sang’) seedlings subjected to six NaCl treatments (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 mmol L⁻¹) for 28 days. Results showed that growth parameters and photosynthetic gas exchange exhibited dose-dependent declines. The reduction in net photosynthetic rate (Pn) was attributed to both stomatal limitations (decreased stomatal conductance) and non-stomatal limitations, as evidenced by a significant decrease in the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) under high salinity. To cope with osmotic stress, seedlings accumulated compatible solutes, including soluble sugars, proteins, and proline. Critically, mulberry seedlings demonstrated effective ion homeostasis by sequestering Na⁺ in the roots to maintain a high K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in leaves, a mechanism that was compromised above 150 mmol L⁻¹. Concurrently, indicators of oxidative stress—malondialdehyde (MDA) and H₂O₂—rose significantly with salinity, inducing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, APX, and GR), which peaked at 150 mmol L⁻¹ before declining under extreme stress. A biomass-based LC₅₀ of 179 mmol L⁻¹ NaCl was determined. These findings elucidate that mulberry salt tolerance is a coordinated process involving three key mechanisms: osmotic adjustment, selective ion distribution, and a robust antioxidant defense system. This study establishes an indicative tolerance threshold under controlled conditions and provides a physiological basis for further field-based evaluations of ‘Tailai Sang’ mulberry for cultivation on saline soils. Full article

Mulberry (Morus spp.) is resilient to water deficit conditions, and the high protein content of its leaves means they can be used as forage. Therefore, it could be a valuable resource for alleviating the animal feed crisis, but it is crucial that its high productivity and stable traits are sustained to achieve this. We conducted a 2-year field experiment in the North China Plain (NCP), which investigated different irrigation levels (W1 = 15 mm, W2 = 30 mm) and genotypes (Feng Yuan No. 1, Feng Chi). This study demonstrates that using water-saving irrigation coupled with selected genotypes can increase the leaf yield and protein content. We measured various physiological and ecological indicators of mulberry, including the leaf area, fresh leaf weight, dry leaf weight, net photosynthetic rate, leaf water use efficiency (WUE_L) under limited irrigation, protein content, and yield. The results from both years indicate that, under deficit irrigation conditions, Feng Yuan No. 1 exhibited drought resistance while maintaining relatively high and stable growth traits. When the irrigation amount was increased (W2 = 30 mm), the net photosynthetic rate and leaf water use efficiency of Feng Yuan No. 1 were significantly better than those of Feng Chi. Additionally, Feng Yuan No. 1 combined with the W2 irrigation treatment led to a higher protein content of leaves (19.98 g/100 g and 21.19 g/100 g) and greater yield of leaves and branches (9.79 t·ha⁻¹ and 11.19 t·ha⁻¹) in the two years. Furthermore, under deficit irrigation conditions, Feng Yuan No. 1 effectively compensated for yield losses caused by water scarcity. Full article

Avermectin is a widely used insecticide for pest control, such as the Plutella xylostella. Despite its efficacy in pest management, concerns have been raised regarding its effect on non-target species, such as the important economic insect silkworm (Bombyx mori). We aimed to investigate the effects of avermectin application on the 3D genome architecture of silkworm midgut using high-throughput techniques such as high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) coupled with RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq). Midgut tissue samples, during the fifth instar and three days, were collected from silkworm larvae fed mulberry leaves (control group) and leaves soaked in avermectin solution for 12 h (experimental group). Our findings revealed that avermectin treatment led to significant changes, including 386 differentially expressed genes (252 up-regulated, 134 down-regulated) and increased chromatin accessibility, particularly those involved in immune response, metabolism, and cellular stress pathways. The Hi-C data revealed more intense spatial interactions in the experimental group, leading to increased expression of detoxification proteins like ABC transporter. This study provides important insights into the molecular basis of pesticide resistance and a foundational basis for further research on the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of insect stress responses. Full article

The sericulture industry is an important component of the agricultural industry. Drought stress can cause yellowing, premature ageing, and the shrinkage of mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves, greatly damaging their quality and restricting the high-quality development of the sericulture industry. WRKY transcription factors play important roles in the plant drought stress response. In this study, we found that MaWRKYIIc7 of the mulberry WRKY TFs, had significantly higher expression levels in leaves than in other tissues and was induced to be expressed under drought stress. The MaWRKYIIc7 protein is located in the nucleus and plasma membrane, and its transcriptional activity depends mainly on the N-terminal sequence. The overexpression of MaWRKYIIc7 in Arabidopsis resulted in better drought tolerance. An analysis of the transient overexpression of MaWRKYIIc7 in mulberry seedlings under drought stress revealed that the transgenic seedlings presented decreased stomatal opening, decreased MDA content, increased ROS clearance ability, and increased the expression of ABA biosynthesis-related genes. The Y1H and Dual-luc results indicate that MaWRKYIIc7 can bind W-boxes to positively regulate MaNCED1 and MaRD29A, synergistically regulating the drought tolerance of mulberry. Overall, our research suggests that MaWRKYIIc7 can increase plant drought tolerance by promoting ROS clearance, adjusting stomatal opening, and activating the ABA signalling pathway. Full article

Background: The hypoglycemic activity of mulberry leaf polyphenols has been widely studied, while its mechanism of action needs further elucidation. Methods: The inhibitory activity mechanism of astragalin on α-glucosidase was investigated with a combination of multispectroscopic techniques and molecular docking. The hypoglycemic pathway was further revealed with a high-glucose human hepatocellular carcinomas (HepG2) cell model. Results: The results indicated that astragalin inhibited α-glucosidase with IC₅₀ of 154.5 µM, which was the highest in potency among the main polyphenols from mulberry leaves. Astragalin could bind to α-glucosidase with a single inhibition site and quench its endofluorescence with a static quenching mechanism. Astragalin changed the secondary structure of α-glucosidase, and the decreased α-helix content, representing the un-folding conformation, resulted in the decreased activity. The molecular docking further indicated that two sustainable hydrogen bonds were generated between astragalin and α-glucosidase residue Ser-88 and Tyr-133. The main driving forces to form the astragalin-α-glucosidase complex were the van der Waals force and hydrogen bond. Astragalin at a concentration of 80 µg/mL obtained the best hypoglycemic effect by activating the Adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the potential utilization of astragalin-rich foods in the improvement of diabetes mellitus. Full article

Mulberry (Morus spp.) is an economically significant plant in the production of silk through feeding leaves to silkworm larvae. Traditional silkworm rearing is heavily labor-intensive, particularly in leaf collection, which leads to low efficiency and impedes the development of sericulture. Here, to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel low-pruning mulberry cultivar, ZJ1, in the silkworm rearing industry, a comprehensive investigation integrating physiological, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses was conducted in comparison with the traditionally high-pruning cultivar, N14. The low-pruning mulberry variety ZJ1 exhibited a notable increase in annual leaf yield of 43.94%, along with a significant enrichment of serine and isoleucine contents, in contrast to those of the high-pruning variety N14. Through iTRAQ proteomics and LC-MS/MS metabolomics analyses, a total of 561 reduced and 803 increased differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), as well as 332 differential expressed metabolites (DEMs) in positive ions and 192 DEMs in negative ions, were identified in the ZJ1 group relative to the N14 group, respectively. The observed features in amino acid profiles and the enrichment of the sucrose-related metabolic pathway provided interesting insights for future endeavors in mulberry variety improvement and the optimization of silkworm diet formulations. Collectively, the low-pruning cultivar ZJ1, characterized by its rapid growth, high leaf productivity, and suitability for mechanized operations, is expected to be an efficient substitute in improving the future sericultural industry, especially in urbanized and industrialized regions. Full article

High-Protein Mulberry is a novel strain of mulberry. High-Protein Mulberry leaves (HPM) were the subject of this study, which aimed to investigate its efficacy and underlying mechanisms in modulating glucose and lipid metabolism. A six-week intervention using db/db mice was carried out to assess the effects of HPM on serum lipid levels, liver function, and insulin (INS) levels. qRT-PCR and Western Blotting were employed to measure key RNA and protein expressions in the PI3K/Akt and PPARα/CPT-1 pathways. UHPLC-MS and the Kjeldahl method were utilized to analyze the component content and total protein. Additionally, network pharmacology was employed to predict regulatory mechanism differences between HPM and Traditional Mulberry leaves. The results of the study revealed significant improvements in fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance in mice treated with HPM. HPM notably reduced serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and INS, while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. The treatment also effectively mitigated liver fatty lesions, inflammatory infiltration, and islet atrophy. HPM activation of the PI3K/Akt/PPARα/CPT-1 pathway suggested its pivotal role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. With its rich composition and pharmacodynamic material basis, HPM displayed a greater number of targets associated with glucose and lipid metabolism pathways, underscoring the need for further research into its potential therapeutic applications. Full article

The leaves of mulberry, Azolla spp., sunflower sprouts, cashew nut, and mung bean are considered rich sources of plant protein with high levels of branched-chain amino acids. Furthermore, they contain beneficial phytochemicals such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Additionally, there are reports suggesting that an adequate consumption of amino acids can reduce nerve cell damage, delay the onset of memory impairment, and improve sleep quality. In this study, protein isolates were prepared from the leaves of mulberry, Azolla spp., sunflower sprouts, cashew nut, and mung bean. The amino acid profile, dietary fiber content, phenolic content, and flavonoid content were evaluated. Pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, anticholinesterase, monoamine oxidase, and γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) activities, were also assessed. This study found that concentrated protein from mung beans has a higher quantity of essential amino acids (52,161 mg/100 g protein) compared to concentrated protein from sunflower sprouts (47,386 mg/100 g protein), Azolla spp. (42,097 mg/100 g protein), cashew nut (26,710 mg/100 g protein), and mulberry leaves (8931 mg/100 g protein). The dietary fiber content ranged from 0.90% to 3.24%, while the phenolic content and flavonoid content ranged from 0.25 to 2.29 mg/g and 0.01 to 2.01 mg/g of sample, respectively. Sunflower sprout protein isolates exhibited the highest levels of dietary fiber (3.24%), phenolic content (2.292 ± 0.082 mg of GAE/g), and flavonoids (2.014 mg quercetin/g of sample). The biological efficacy evaluation found that concentrated protein extract from sunflower sprouts has the highest antioxidant activity; the percentages of inhibition of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical were 20.503 ± 0.288% and 18.496 ± 0.105%, respectively. Five plant-based proteins exhibited a potent inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition, and GABA-T ranging from 3.42% to 24.62%, 6.14% to 20.16%, and 2.03% to 21.99%, respectively. These findings suggest that these plant protein extracts can be used as natural resources for developing food supplements with neuroprotective activity. Full article

The silkworm Bombyx mori, the second most varied group of insects, is a fascinating insect that belongs to the Lepidoptera species. We aimed to deepen our knowledge about the composition and significance of amino acids (AA) from the sericulture chain to fish. AAs are the most prevalent molecules throughout the growth process of silkworms. We described AAs classification, occurrence, metabolism, and functions. Online datasets revealed that the essential AAs (EAA) level in fish meal and silkworm pupae (SWP) is comparable. SWP have a high content of methionine and lysine, which are the principal limiting AAs in fish diets, indicating that SWP have nutritional potential to be added to fish diets. Additionally, an overview of the data analyzed displays that SWP have a higher protein efficiency ratio than fish meal, the classical protein-rich source (>1.19 times), and compared to soybean meal, the second-most preferred source of protein in aquaculture (>2.08 times), indicating that SWP can be considered effective for animal feeding. In this study, we provide an overview of the current knowledge concerning AAs, paying special emphasis to EAAs and explaining, to some extent, certain mechanisms and functions of these compounds, from mulberry leaves to larvae–pupae and fish diets. Full article

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is a major factor limiting the growth and development of plants. Mulberry (Morus alba L.) is an important fruit tree crop that requires Mg for optimal growth and yield, especially in acid soils. However, the molecular mechanism of Mg stress tolerance in mulberry plants remains unknown. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing technology and biochemical analysis to profile the transcriptome and physiological changes of mulberry leaves under different Mg treatments (deficiency: 0 mM, low: 1 mM, moderate low: 2 mM, sufficiency: 3 mM, toxicity: 6 mM, higher toxicity: 9 mM) as T1, T2, T3, CK, T4, T5 treatments, respectively, for 20 days. The results showed that Mg imbalance altered the antioxidant enzymatic activities, such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and non-enzymatic, including soluble protein, soluble sugar, malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline (PRO), contents of the plant. The Mg imbalances disrupted the ultrastructures of the vital components of chloroplast and mitochondria relative to the control. The transcriptome data reveal that 11,030 genes were differentially expressed (DEGs). Genes related to the photosynthetic processes (CAB40, CAB7, CAB6A, CAB-151, CAP10A) and chlorophyll degradation (PAO, CHLASE1, SGR) were altered. Antioxidant genes such as PER42, PER21, and PER47 were downregulated, but DFR was upregulated. The carbohydrate metabolism pathway was significantly altered, while those involved in energy metabolism processes were perturbed under high Mg treatment compared with control. We also identified several candidate genes associated with magnesium homeostasis via RT-qPCR validation analysis, which provided valuable information for further functional characterization studies such as promoter activity assay or gene overexpression experiments using transient expression systems. Full article

Sulphur (S) plays a vital role in improving the quality of mulberry leaves because of its involvement in protein synthesis. The knowledge of different pools of S in soils and its bioavailability for mulberry nutrition is thus, required for optimizing S fertilization. Hence, the present study was designed to ascertain the influence of chemical fertilizer and farmyard manure (both are S sources) on S fractions and its bioavailability in soils. In this regard, four nutrient management practices viz., control (without any chemical fertilizers and organic manures), recommended doses of N, P and K fertilizers (100% RDF), 80% RDF, 60% RDF with four mulberry varieties viz., V-1, G-4, AGB-8 and MSG-2 besides a fallow were considered for the study. Furthermore, the bioavailability of S in soils was tested using four commonly used chemical extractants viz., CaCl₂, NaHCO₃, AB-DTPA and Mehlich-3 (with different modes and chemistry of extraction). Organic S was the dominant fraction in the experimental soils accounting for 94.7% of total soil S while the inorganic fraction constituted only 5.3% that includes water soluble, sorbed and carbonate occluded S. Lowest amount of organic S content in soils of unmanured control (579.6 mg kg⁻¹) was observed while the 100% RDF treatment (673.2 mg kg⁻¹) maintained a higher content of soil organic S. High amount of sorbed and occluded S was observed in control plot compared to other fertilizer treatments (100% RDF, 80% RDF and 60% RDF). There was a gradual decline in soil S fractions when the fertilizer inputs were reduced to 60% suggesting that recommended doses of fertilizer inputs could maintain the soil S fractions. In addition, the extractable fractions of S were influenced by the fertilizer application rates and the extractability of all four extractants decreased with the reduction in fertilizer inputs. The amount of S extracted by all four chemical extractants followed the order of NaHCO₃ > Mehlich-3 > AB-DTPA > CaCl₂ across the tested soils. Dynamic relationships among the extractants indicated that they could extract the S from the same pools in soil. Of the four extractants tested for evaluating plant available S, Mehlich-3 showed a higher degree of correlations with plant tissue S concentration and applied S through chemical fertilizers and farmyard manure. Furthermore, it could maintain strong correlations with water soluble and organic S fractions which were found to contribute significantly to plant S concentration. Thus, Mehlich-3 can be recommended for the assessment of bioavailable S for the nutrition of mulberry. Full article