Mulberry's healing Touch: Exploring ethnobotanical roots and medicinal potentials in the treatment of atopic dermatitis

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology Vol. 337; no. Pt 3; p. 118981
• Main Authors: Ezairjawi, Mariam Sabeeh Madhloom, Ünüvar, Ömer Can, Akben, Cantürk, Taha, Ekhlass M., Ünlü, Ercan Selçuk
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 30-01-2025
• Subjects: Alternative medicine; Eczema; Ethnobiology; Morus alba; Mulberry; Mulberry; Ethnobiology; Morus alba; Alternative medicine; Eczema
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118981

Morus alba L., mulberry, has played a significant role in providing food, medicine, and materials throughout human history. From its historical importance to its diverse cultural uses, mulberry remains a versatile and valuable resource, enriching various aspects of human life across civilizations. Mulberry exhibits ethnopharmacological applications for treating various ailments including atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema.
Aim of the study: The objective of the study was extracting the putative active substances from white mulberry, evaluating potential of the extract in treating and reducing reliance on chemical medications by providing a chemical composition of the extract along with effect of extracts on eczema symptoms.
For testing the impact of mulberry extract on relieving eczema symptoms, white mulberry fruit extracts were prepared by butanol extraction. Water-in-oil (W/O) emulsification was used to prepare ointment. Analysis of the mulberry extract was conducted using GC-MS after additional processing of extracts. Clinical trials on 110 individuals, divided into patient-treatment, normal-treatment, and patient-placebo groups, involved applying the ointment containing 0.5% mulberry fruit extract for 4–6 weeks, with blood sample analysis before and after the trial. Blood samples were analyzed for various parameters including Granzyme B, Vit. E, TC, TG, HDL, and LDL levels. The antibacterial activity of the extract against Staphylococcus aureus was determined using involve growth curve analysis and inhibition of colony formation on LB plates. Morus alba L. name was checked from “World Flora Online” (www.worldfloraonline.org) and MPNS (mpns.kew.org)
We monitored a noticeable enhancement in the skin ulceration after the treatment. In addition, Granzyme B, Vitamin E, TC, TG, HDL, and LDL levels were improved in the patient-treatment group closer to healthy levels, indicating potential therapeutic benefits of Morus alba extract. The extract's efficacy was also tested on S. aureus, a bacterium commonly associated with eczema. Results showed that extract obtained from white mulberry fruits has an inhibitory impact on S. aureus growth.
The findings suggest that Morus alba extract holds promise as a therapeutic intervention for atopic dermatitis, demonstrating significant improvements in key biomarkers towards levels observed in healthy individuals.
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•Mulberry extract contains compounds that are related with skincare applications.•Mulberry ointment effectively eased atopic dermatitis symptoms.•Mulberry extract offers a natural way to combat AD associated bacteria.•Skin visibly improved with mulberry ointment treatment.