Mulberry has been linked to changes in intestinal microflora and metabolism

Mulberry can affect the composition of the intestinal microbiota and related metabolic processes. A review prepared with the participation of researchers from the Medical University of Wroclaw and published in the Medical Xpress edition showed that not only the type of plant and the part used, but also the method of processing raw materials can be important. At the same time, scientists note that the available data has so far been obtained mainly in animal experiments and in the laboratory. About how mulberry can interact with intestinal bacteria and why its effect depends on the method of processing — in the material "Izvestia".

Mulberry can change the composition of the intestinal microbiota

Scientists became interested in mulberry because of the biologically active compounds it contains, including polyphenols and polysaccharides. They can interact with intestinal microorganisms, and the microbiota, in turn, is associated not only with the work of the gastrointestinal tract, but also with metabolism throughout the body.

Most of the studies reviewed were devoted to the white mulberry (Morus alba), however, scientists also studied the black mulberry (Morus nigra), especially its fruits. Among other things, the leaves of the plant contain 1-deoxynogirimycin (DNJ), as well as polyphenols and polysaccharides. Fruits, especially black mulberries, are rich in anthocyanins and other phenolic compounds and also contain polysaccharides.

In studies, preparations from mulberry leaves and fruits could affect the composition and activity of the intestinal microbiota. Among the observed changes, scientists noted a change in the number of beneficial bacteria and an increase in the production of short—chain fatty acids - acetate, propionate and butyrate. Some studies have also linked changes in the microbiota to improvements in glucose and lipid metabolism.

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The effect depends on the type of plant and the treatment method.

The authors of the review note that the same vegetable raw materials can give different results after processing. Drying, fermentation, and extraction methods can change the content and ratio of biologically active compounds. Therefore, preparations made from the same raw materials may differ in composition and effect.

The polysaccharides of black mulberry fruits are an illustrative example. Different methods of their extraction made it possible to obtain fractions that differed in structure and in how actively they were used by the intestinal microbiota. The fractions obtained by aqueous extraction and using pectate lyase showed the greatest prebiotic potential.

Studies of polysaccharides from leaves have also shown the importance of their structure. In particular, the molecular weight and composition of monosaccharides could influence which bacteria used these substances as a substrate and which short-chain fatty acids were formed. Thus, in the studies reviewed, the effect was determined not just by the presence of mulberries in the diet. The specific type of plant, the part of the plant, the composition of the resulting preparation and the method of its treatment were important.

In experiments on mice, the effect was more noticeable.

The results were particularly interesting in a study with mice fed a high-fat diet. The rodents were given a fraction of white mulberry fruit, which contained both polyphenols and polysaccharides. This combination caused more pronounced beneficial changes in the microbiota than the separate use of each of the fractions.

These changes were accompanied by an improvement in some indicators related to metabolic syndrome and intestinal condition. Thus, the researchers obtained data that the combination of different mulberry components in the experimental model can have a more noticeable effect than individual fractions.

The scientists then conducted an experiment with intestinal microbiota transplantation. Microorganisms from mice that received a combined fraction from white mulberry were transferred to other animals. After that, the recipients also showed an improvement in some metabolic disorders. The authors believe that this provides additional reasons to assume the involvement of the microbiota in the effects of the drug.

The results also indicate the importance of the complex composition of drugs. According to the authors, the potential biological effect may depend on the combination of compounds, their proportions and the interaction between them, rather than on any one component.

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There is not enough research on humans yet

The main limitation of the existing data is the lack of sufficient human studies that would directly assess the effect of mulberry preparations on the intestinal microbiota. It is also not easy to compare the results of different works. Only a small part of the studies linked the detected effects with a detailed analysis of the composition of the drug used. Because of this, it is not yet possible to determine exactly how the results of one experiment are comparable to the results of another.

For the same reason, scientists cannot yet say whether people will show the same relationships between mulberry preparations, intestinal microbiota and metabolism that were observed in experimental models. The authors call the results promising, but emphasize the need for further research.

This requires clinical trials with well-characterized and standardized drugs. They should show how different mulberry products affect the human microbiota, how different the strength and range of these effects are, and whether the changes lead to measurable health benefits.