Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
  • Register
  • Login
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Current
  • Archives
  • Announcements
  • About
    • About the Journal
    • Submissions
    • Editorial Team
    • Privacy Statement
    • Contact
  • Register
  • Login

Quality in Sport

The Anti-Obesity Effects of Morus alba: A Literature Review
  • Home
  • /
  • The Anti-Obesity Effects of Morus alba: A Literature Review
  1. Home /
  2. Archives /
  3. Vol. 46 (2025) /
  4. Medical Sciences

The Anti-Obesity Effects of Morus alba: A Literature Review

Authors

  • Aneta Redner https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1404-4305
  • Gabriela Sikora Medical University of Lublin Aleje Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4627-7403
  • Martyna Woźniak Medical University of Lublin Aleje Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2518-4531
  • Małgorzata Sajda Medical University of Lublin Aleje Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6836-0704
  • Karolina Kutnik Medical University of Lublin Aleje Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2250-1232
  • Karolina Koguc Medical University of Lublin Aleje Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0762-7356
  • Karolina Kusibab Medical University of Lublin Aleje Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9743-8734
  • Michał Czechowski Medical University of Silesia: Katowice ul. Poniatowskiego 15 40-055 Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7038-6731
  • Gabriela Skórska Medical University of Silesia: Katowice ul. Poniatowskiego 15 40-055 Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2197-3414
  • Marcela Słomianny Medical University of Silesia: Katowice ul. Poniatowskiego 15 40-055 Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8029-1422
  • Karolina Kolada Medical University of Lublin Aleje Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4960-9604

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2025.46.66553

Keywords

Morus alba, white mulberry, obesity, adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, gut microbiota, antioxidant

Abstract

Purpose:
This literature review explores the anti-obesity potential of Morus alba (white mulberry) and its role in the prevention and management of obesity. It highlights the mechanisms by which Morus alba may influence metabolic pathways related to fat accumulation, lipid metabolism, inflammation, and gut microbiota modulation.

Methodology:
A narrative review of 20 selected peer-reviewed studies was conducted, focusing on experimental and preclinical evidence of Morus alba’s metabolic effects. Key areas of interest included lipid regulation, adipogenesis, antioxidant activity, and interactions with the gut microbiota.

Findings:
The studies reviewed suggest that Morus alba exhibits significant anti-obesogenic effects through various mechanisms, including inhibition of lipid accumulation, regulation of adipogenic gene expression, enhancement of fatty acid β-oxidation, activation of AMPK signaling, and improvement in glucose metabolism. Some studies also report its potential to restore gut microbial balance in obesity models.

Conclusions:
Morus alba represents a promising candidate for complementary obesity management strategies due to its multifactorial action on adiposity, metabolism, and inflammation. However, more clinical trials are needed to determine effective dosages and long-term safety in humans.

References

Ann, J. Y., Eo, H., & Lim, Y. (2015). Mulberry leaves (Morus alba L.) ameliorate obesity-induced hepatic lipogenesis, fibrosis, and oxidative stress in high-fat diet-fed mice. Genes & nutrition, 10(6), 46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12263-015-0495-x

Batiha, G. E., Al-Snafi, A. E., Thuwaini, M. M., Teibo, J. O., Shaheen, H. M., Akomolafe, A. P., Teibo, T. K. A., Al-Kuraishy, H. M., Al-Garbeeb, A. I., Alexiou, A., & Papadakis, M. (2023). Morus alba: a comprehensive phytochemical and pharmacological review. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology, 396(7), 1399–1413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-023-02434-4

Jaiswal, V., Lee, M. J., Chun, J. L., Park, M., & Lee, H. J. (2024). 1-Deoxynojirimycin containing Morus alba leaf-based food modulates the gut microbiome and expression of genes related to obesity. BMC veterinary research, 20(1), 133. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-03961-9

Kim, H. G., Jeong, H. U., Park, G., Kim, H., Lim, Y., & Oh, M. S. (2015). Mori folium and mori fructus mixture attenuates high-fat diet-induced cognitive deficits in mice. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2015, 379418. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/379418

Kim, N. Y., Thomas, S. S., Hwang, D. I., Lee, J. H., Kim, K. A., & Cha, Y. S. (2021). Anti-Obesity Effects of Morus alba L. and Aronia melanocarpa in a High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese C57BL/6J Mouse Model. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 10(8), 1914. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10081914

Kim, D. S., Lee, H. Y., Kim, H. J., Lee, G. H., Lim, Y. J., Ko, B. M., Kim, J. H., Kim, T. W., Kim, H. K., Kim, T. Y., Hwang, D. I., Choi, H. K., Ju, S. M., Chung, M. J., & Chae, H. J. (2023). Combined Treatment of Mori folium and Mori Cortex Radicis Ameliorate Obesity in Mice via UCP-1 in Brown Adipocytes. Nutrients, 15(17), 3713. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173713

Lee, M. R., Kim, J. E., Park, J. W., Kang, M. J., Choi, H. J., Bae, S. J., Choi, Y. W., Kim, K. M., Hong, J. T., & Hwang, D. Y. (2020). Fermented mulberry (Morus alba) leaves suppress high fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis through amelioration of the inflammatory response and autophagy pathway. BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 20(1), 283. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-03076-2

Lee, E., Lee, M. S., Chang, E., Kim, C. T., Choi, A. J., Kim, I. H., & Kim, Y. (2021). High hydrostatic pressure extract of mulberry leaves ameliorates hypercholesterolemia via modulating hepatic microRNA-33 expression and AMPK activity in high cholesterol diet fed rats. Food & nutrition research, 65, 10.29219/fnr.v65.7587. https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v65.7587

Leyva-Jiménez, F. J., Ruiz-Malagón, A. J., Molina-Tijeras, J. A., Diez-Echave, P., Vezza, T., Hidalgo-García, L., Lozano-Sánchez, J., Arráez-Román, D., Cenis, J. L., Lozano-Pérez, A. A., Rodríguez-Nogales, A., Segura-Carretero, A., & Gálvez, J. (2020). Comparative Study of the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Leaf Extracts from Four Different Morus alba Genotypes in High Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 9(8), 733. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9080733

Lim, S. H., Yu, J. S., Lee, H. S., Choi, C. I., & Kim, K. H. (2021). Antidiabetic Flavonoids from Fruits of Morus alba Promoting Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Uptake via Akt and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Activation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes. Pharmaceutics, 13(4), 526. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13040526

Ma, Q., Li, Y., Zhao, R., Tang, Z., Li, J., Chen, C., Liu, X., Hu, Y., Wang, T., & Zhao, B. (2022). Therapeutic mechanisms of mulberry leaves in type 2 diabetes based on metabolomics. Frontiers in pharmacology, 13, 954477. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.954477

Noh, D. J., & Yoon, G. A. (2022). Mulberry (Morus alba L.) ethanol extract attenuates lipid metabolic disturbance and adipokine imbalance in high-fat fed rats. Nutrition research and practice, 16(6), 716–728. https://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2022.16.6.716

Ntalouka, F., & Tsirivakou, A. (2024). Morus alba: natural and valuable effects in weight loss management. Frontiers in clinical diabetes and healthcare, 5, 1395688. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcdhc.2024.1395688

Parklak, W., Chottidao, M., Munkong, N., Komindr, S., Monkhai, S., Wanikorn, B., Makaje, N., Kulprachakarn, K., Chuljerm, H., & Somnuk, S. (2024). Nutraceutical Properties of Thai Mulberry (Morus alba L.) and Their Effects on Metabolic and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Individuals with Obesity: A Randomized, Single-Blind Crossover Trial. Nutrients, 16(24), 4336. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16244336

Peng, C. H., Lin, H. T., Chung, D. J., Huang, C. N., & Wang, C. J. (2018). Mulberry Leaf Extracts prevent obesity-induced NAFLD with regulating adipocytokines, inflammation and oxidative stress. Journal of food and drug analysis, 26(2), 778–787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfda.2017.10.008

Qian, W., Han, J., Shi, X., Qin, X., Jiao, F., Zhang, M., Bao, L., & Su, C. (2025). Mulberry (Morus alba) Twig and Leaf Extracts Ameliorate Obesity-Related Metabolic Disorders via Gut Microbiota Modulation in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 15(12), 1768. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15121768

Rodríguez-Sojo, M. J., Ruiz-Malagón, A. J., Hidalgo-García, L., Molina-Tijeras, J. A., Diez-Echave, P., López-Escanez, L., Rosati, L., González-Lozano, E., Cenis-Cifuentes, L., García-García, J., García, F., Robles-Vera, I., Romero, M., Duarte, J., Cenis, J. L., Lozano-Pérez, A. A., Gálvez, J., Rodríguez-Cabezas, M. E., & Rodríguez-Nogales, A. (2023). The Prebiotic Effects of an Extract with Antioxidant Properties from Morus alba L. Contribute to Ameliorate High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 12(4), 978. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12040978

Sun, Q. W., Lian, C. F., Chen, Y. M., Ye, J., Chen, W., Gao, Y., Wang, H. L., Gao, L. L., Liu, Y. L., & Yang, Y. F. (2022). Ramulus Mori (Sangzhi) Alkaloids Ameliorate Obesity-Linked Adipose Tissue Metabolism and Inflammation in Mice. Nutrients, 14(23), 5050. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14235050

Suthamwong, P., Minami, M., Okada, T., Shiwaku, N., Uesugi, M., Yokode, M., & Kamei, K. (2020). Administration of mulberry leaves maintains pancreatic β-cell mass in obese/type 2 diabetes mellitus mouse model. BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 20(1), 136. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-02933-4

Zhao, X., Fu, Z., Yao, M., Cao, Y., Zhu, T., Mao, R., Huang, M., Pang, Y., Meng, X., Li, L., Zhang, B., Li, Y., & Zhang, H. (2021). Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf polysaccharide ameliorates insulin resistance- and adipose deposition-associated gut microbiota and lipid metabolites in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Food science & nutrition, 10(2), 617–630. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2689

Quality in Sport

Downloads

  • PDF

Published

2025-11-18

How to Cite

1.
REDNER, Aneta, SIKORA, Gabriela, WOŹNIAK, Martyna, SAJDA, Małgorzata, KUTNIK, Karolina, KOGUC, Karolina, KUSIBAB, Karolina, CZECHOWSKI, Michał, SKÓRSKA, Gabriela, SŁOMIANNY, Marcela and KOLADA, Karolina. The Anti-Obesity Effects of Morus alba: A Literature Review. Quality in Sport. Online. 18 November 2025. Vol. 46, p. 66553. [Accessed 10 December 2025]. DOI 10.12775/QS.2025.46.66553.
  • ISO 690
  • ACM
  • ACS
  • APA
  • ABNT
  • Chicago
  • Harvard
  • IEEE
  • MLA
  • Turabian
  • Vancouver
Download Citation
  • Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
  • BibTeX

Issue

Vol. 46 (2025)

Section

Medical Sciences

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Aneta Redner, Gabriela Sikora, Martyna Woźniak, Małgorzata Sajda, Karolina Kutnik, Karolina Koguc, Karolina Kusibab, Michał Czechowski, Gabriela Skórska, Marcela Słomianny, Karolina Kolada

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Stats

Number of views and downloads: 130
Number of citations: 0

Search

Search

Browse

  • Browse Author Index
  • Issue archive

User

User

Current Issue

  • Atom logo
  • RSS2 logo
  • RSS1 logo

Information

  • For Readers
  • For Authors
  • For Librarians

Newsletter

Subscribe Unsubscribe

Tags

Search using one of provided tags:

Morus alba, white mulberry, obesity, adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, gut microbiota, antioxidant
Up

Akademicka Platforma Czasopism

Najlepsze czasopisma naukowe i akademickie w jednym miejscu

apcz.umk.pl

Partners

  • Akademia Ignatianum w Krakowie
  • Akademickie Towarzystwo Andragogiczne
  • Fundacja Copernicus na rzecz Rozwoju Badań Naukowych
  • Instytut Historii im. Tadeusza Manteuffla Polskiej Akademii Nauk
  • Instytut Kultur Śródziemnomorskich i Orientalnych PAN
  • Instytut Tomistyczny
  • Karmelitański Instytut Duchowości w Krakowie
  • Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego
  • Państwowa Akademia Nauk Stosowanych w Krośnie
  • Państwowa Akademia Nauk Stosowanych we Włocławku
  • Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa im. Stanisława Pigonia w Krośnie
  • Polska Fundacja Przemysłu Kosmicznego
  • Polskie Towarzystwo Ekonomiczne
  • Polskie Towarzystwo Ludoznawcze
  • Towarzystwo Miłośników Torunia
  • Towarzystwo Naukowe w Toruniu
  • Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu
  • Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie
  • Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika
  • Uniwersytet w Białymstoku
  • Uniwersytet Warszawski
  • Wojewódzka Biblioteka Publiczna - Książnica Kopernikańska
  • Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne w Pelplinie / Wydawnictwo Diecezjalne „Bernardinum" w Pelplinie

© 2021- Nicolaus Copernicus University Accessibility statement Shop