Abstract

The extract of Morus macroura (mulberry) fruits was evaluated for its phytochemical constituents and antigastric ulcer activity. Total phenolic content was assessed and found to be 33µg/ml expressed as mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of dried extract. The phenolic profile was determined by reversed phase high resolution liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection method (RP/HPLC/DAD). Cinnamic acid derivatives were the most dominant (40.50%) of the identified phenolics and chlorogenic acid was the most abundant with relative area percentages 21.16 %. Mono and disaccharides contents of the silylated-lyophilized extract were determined by GC/MS and α -D- Glucofuranoside (32.34%) was found to be the major. The study was conducted to evaluate the antiulcerogenic effect of the extract in rat’s ethanol model. A reduction in ulcer indices including number of lesions and their severity, the gastric volume and the total acidity in ulcerated rats pre or post treated with mulberry extract were measured. A significant increase in reduced glutathione level and a reduction in malondialdehyde were recorded in mulberry treated groups. In addition two ulcer biomarkers prostaglandin E2 and tumor necrosis factor-α showed an improvement in their levels due to mulberry supplementation. Accordingly, this study recommends mulberry as an antiulcer agent.

Key words: Morus macroura, Phenolic profile, gastric ulcer, biochemical evaluation