An Overview of Chemical Constituents, Medicinal Properties, Clinical Trials, and Patents of Twigs of Morus alba (Ramulus Mori)

The rich chemical constituents and diverse pharmacological properties of Ramulus Mori (RM) or the twig of Morus alba with evidence supported by clinical trials and patents are reviewed. Known as Sangzhi in Chinese, RM is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat gout, arthritis, and rheumatism. Chemical constituents include flavonoids, benzofurans, alkaloids, stilbenes, chalcones, phenolic acids, and coumarins. Bioactivities of RM include antidiabetic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, antityrosinase, neuroprotective, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, cytoprotective, renoprotective, antihyperuricemic, analgesic, antifungal, DNA protective, anticancer, gastroprotective, cardioprotective, anti-hair aging, anti-arthritic, and antiplatelet aggregation properties. The most active compounds from RM are mulberrin, oxyresveratrol, and mulberroside A. All four clinical trials on RM are focused on the treatment of diabetes. The patents entail using RM extracts as cosmetics for skin whitening and as agents for hypoglycemia. Topics for further research on RM are suggested.