Mulberry Extract Side Effects
Mulberry has been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries. In recent years, extracts of the leaf and roots have gained attention for their potential in regulating carbohydrate and glucose metabolism. Some components of the plant may even have anti-cancer benefits. Like all herbal remedies, however, mulberry extract may present a few side effects in addition to its alleged medicinal properties.
Blood Sugar Effects
A small trial conducted but the American Diabetes Association investigated the effects of taking mulberry leaf extract in conjunction with a dose of sucrose on blood sugar utilization in 20 human subjects, half of which were non-diabetic control subjects and the other were type II diabetics taking oral medications. The volunteers in both groups experienced a decrease in initial serum glucose levels after eating the sugar. According to a paper published in the July 2007 issue of the “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry,” this action may be due to the presence of a compound in mulberry leaf identified as 1-deoxynojirimycin, or DNJ. However, the authors of this paper also noted that the DNJ content in commercial mulberry preparations tends to be low, which suggests that the bioavailability of this substance from these sources is lacking.
Based on the results of these initial studies, mulberry extract may have an application in treating diabetes mellitus in the future. Until then, however, it seems likely that the DNJ in the extract mimics the activity of diabetes medications, which is to inhibit carbohydrate absorption. This means that if you are taking α-glucosidase inhibitors such as acarbose, mulberry extract may increase the effects of these drugs and cause a sudden or dramatic drop in blood sugar. If you have impaired glucose metabolism, or are insulin resistant, be sure to check with your doctor before using mulberry extract or any other herbs.
- A small trial conducted but the American Diabetes Association investigated the effects of taking mulberry leaf extract in conjunction with a dose of sucrose on blood sugar utilization in 20 human subjects, half of which were non-diabetic control subjects and the other were type II diabetics taking oral medications.
- Until then, however, it seems likely that the DNJ in the extract mimics the activity of diabetes medications, which is to inhibit carbohydrate absorption.
Skin Cancer Risks
Fucus Vesiculosus Uses
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Mulberry extract is incorporated into skin-whitening products. The compound attributed with lightening the skin is arbutin, a form of hydroquinone that inhibits melanin release by suppressing the tyrosinase enzyme. In early 2010, a team of French researchers analyzed two cases of squamous cell carcinoma in women who had been using skin-lightening products for more than a decade. While they could not say for certain that hydroquinone agents were the direct cause of either cancer, they did note that the carcinogenic side effects of hydroquinone is well established in animal models. Arbutin is reputed to be gentler than hydroquinone, but the risk of skin cancer may still apply.
- Mulberry extract is incorporated into skin-whitening products.
- While they could not say for certain that hydroquinone agents were the direct cause of either cancer, they did note that the carcinogenic side effects of hydroquinone is well established in animal models.
Chemotherapy Interference
According to researchers from Nihon University in Tokyo, a substance from mulberry root bark extract identified as albanol A triggers cell death in human leukemia cells. A team of Korean researchers reported a similar finding with mulberry fruit extracts in the April 2010 issue of “Nutrition and Cancer.” Clearly, this is a good thing. However, it also suggests that mulberry extracts should not be used by anyone undergoing chemotherapy without the approval and supervision of a physician.
Related Articles
References
- “Diabetes Care”; Influence of Mulberry Leaf Extract on the Blood Glucose and Breath Hydrogen Response to Ingestion of 75 g Sucrose by Type 2 Diabetic and Control Subjects; Mitchell Mudra, et al.; May 2007
- “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry”; Food-grade mulberry powder enriched with 1-deoxynojirimycin suppresses the elevation of postprandial blood glucose in humans; Kimura T., et al.; July 2007
- “Annales de dermatologie et de venereologie”; First cases of squamous cell carcinoma associated with cosmetic use of bleaching compounds; Ly F., et al.; February 2010
- “Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin”; Albanol A from the root bark of Morus alba L. induces apoptotic cell death in HL60 human leukemia cell line; Kikuchi T., et al.; 2010
- “Nutrition and Cancer”; Mulberry fruit (Moris fructus) extracts induce human glioma cell death in vitro through ROS-dependent mitochondrial pathway...; Jeong JC, et al.; April 2010
- Jin SE, Ha H, Shin HK, et al. Anti-Allergic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Kuwanon G and Morusin on MC/9 Mast Cells and HaCaT Keratinocytes. Molecules. 2019 Jan;24(2):265. doi:10.3390/molecules24020265.
- Aramwit P, Petcharat K, Supasyndh O. Efficacy of mulberry leaf tablets in patients with mild dyslipidemia. Phytother Res. 2011 Mar;25(3):365-9. doi:10.1002/ptr.3270.
- Józefczuk J, Malikowska K, Glapa A, et al. Mulberry leaf extract decreases digestion and absorption of starch in healthy subjects-A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Adv Med Sci. 2017 May 11;62(2):302-6. doi:10.1016/j.advms.2017.03.002.
- Lim HH, Lee SO, Kim SY, et al. Anti-inflammatory and antiobesity effects of mulberry leaf and fruit extract on high fat diet-induced obesity. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2013 Oct;238(10):1160-9. doi:10.1177/1535370213498982.
- Pawitra P, Sakulrat R, Wanwisa K, et al. Development of Chewing Gum Containing Mulberry Leaf Extract with Anti-cariogenic Activity against Streptococcus mutans. J Bio Sci. 2018;18:407-14. doi:10.3923/jbs.2018.407.414 .
- Sarikaphuti A, Nararatwanchai T, Hashiguchi T, et al. Preventive effects of Morus alba L. anthocyanins on diabetes in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. Exp Ther Med. 2013 Sep;6(3):689-95. doi:10.3892/etm.2013.1203.
- Smitha C, Usha R. Antimicrobial and antiplasmid activities of Morus Alba L. against potent oral pathogens. Int J Pharma Bio Sci. 2016;7(3):757-72.
Writer Bio
Karyn Maier is a seasoned columnist and feature writer. Since 1992, her work has appeared in Mother Earth News, The Herb Quarterly, Better Nutrition and in many other print and digital publications. She is also the author of five books, and is published in six languages.