This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Black mulberry (Morus nigra) contains bioactive compounds including anthocyanins, cyanidin, flavonoids, and resveratrol that contribute to its medicinal properties. These compounds function as antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidative stress throughout the body. The anthocyanins and tannins provide anti-inflammatory and astringent effects, which explain its traditional use for sore throats. Evidence level C indicates preliminary research supports these mechanisms, though more clinical studies are needed to fully elucidate the pathways.
Does black mulberry interact with any medications?
Black mulberry may lower blood sugar levels and could potentially interact with diabetes medications such as insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents, causing additive hypoglycemic effects. Patients on blood sugar-lowering medications should monitor glucose levels closely when using mulberry products. Due to its potassium content, individuals taking potassium-sparing diuretics or ACE inhibitors should exercise caution. No significant drug interactions have been well-documented in clinical trials (Evidence level C), but consult a healthcare provider before combining with prescription medications.
What is the recommended dosage for black mulberry?
The traditional adult dosage for black mulberry is 2-3 grams of dried leaves prepared as an infusion, or a handful of fresh berries consumed daily. For sore throat relief, a gargle made from diluted berry juice or leaf infusion can be used 2-3 times daily. These recommendations are based on traditional use and limited clinical evidence (Evidence level C). Always follow product label instructions or consult a qualified herbalist, as standardized preparations may vary in concentration and potency.
Is black mulberry safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Black mulberry fruit is generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding when consumed in normal food amounts. The leaves and berries have a long history of use in Persian and Mediterranean traditional medicine without reported adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes. However, pregnant women should avoid consuming large quantities, as excessive intake may cause digestive upset including diarrhea. There is limited clinical research specifically on pregnancy safety (Evidence level C), so consult a healthcare provider before using concentrated supplements during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Can black mulberry help with sore throat?
Yes, black mulberry has been traditionally used as a gargle for sore throats in Persian and Mediterranean medicine. The fruit contains tannins and anthocyanins that provide astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help soothe irritated throat tissues and reduce inflammation. To use, prepare an infusion from dried leaves or dilute fresh berry juice as a gargle 2-3 times daily. Evidence level C indicates traditional use is supported by preliminary research on the plant's anti-inflammatory compounds, though clinical trials specifically for sore throat are limited.
Does black mulberry help with anemia?
Black mulberry has been traditionally used to support blood building and treat anemia, particularly in Persian medicine. The fruit contains iron and vitamin C, which may enhance iron absorption and support red blood cell production. The anthocyanins in black mulberry may also contribute to overall blood health through antioxidant activity. Evidence level C indicates that while traditional use is well-documented, clinical trials specifically evaluating black mulberry for anemia treatment are limited. It should not replace prescribed anemia treatments without consulting a healthcare provider.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Morus nigra (black mulberry) is a plant species known for its rich content of polyphenols and bioactive compounds, exhibiting wide-spectrum pharmacological effects including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities [PMID:30791521, PMID:39529942].
Background
Morus nigra L., commonly known as black mulberry, is a species of the Moraceae family native to Southwestern Asia [PMID:30791521]. It is utilized in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries and is considered an unconventional food plant [PMID:39570176].
Traditional uses
It has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for both humans and animals [PMID:30791521]. In traditional Uygur medicine, the fruit is valued for its lipid-lowering and hepatoprotective effects [PMID:4049023도]. It is also traditionally used to address several diseases, specifically type II diabetes [PMID:31861822].
Active compounds
The plant is rich in polyphenols, including flavonoids, anthocyanins (notably cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside), and phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and protocatechuic acid [PMID:39529942, PMID:37390741, PMID:35454757]. Other identified components include rutin, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, polysaccharides, and the alkaloid deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) [PMID:38169394, PMID:33450344, PMID:40807388].
Mechanism of action
Morus nigra exerts effects through antioxidant capacity and the inhibition of $\alpha$-glucosidase, $\alpha$-amylase, and lipase [PMID:30791521, PMID:37390741]. Specific mechanisms include the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway to reduce ROS and improve mitochondrial function [PMID:33450344], activation of the DAF-16 nuclear translocation in C. elegans [PMID:36076399], and attenuation of colitis via the TNF-$\alpha$/NF-$\kappa$B/ICAM-1 signaling pathway [PMID:40455241]. In hepatocellular carcinoma, natural lipid nanoparticles from the leaves trigger mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress via galactose receptor-mediated endocytosis [PMID:38169394].
Clinical evidence
Evidence BMild-to-moderate Alzheimer's dementia
Daily administration of 20g of black mulberry concentrate for 12 weeks may slightly improve cognitive function, as evidenced by decreased ADAS-Cog scores [PMID:38052130].
Evidence DHepatocellular carcinoma
Natural exosome-like lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) from leaves suppressed viability, migration, and invasion of liver tumor cell lines in vitro [PMID:38169394].
Evidence DColitis
Polysaccharides from black mulberry alleviated symptoms, histological damage, and inflammation in mice by modulating gut microbiota [PMID:40455241].
Evidence DBenign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Fruit hydroalcoholic extract significantly affected prostate weight and serum prostate-specific antigen levels in rats [PMID:31899187].
Safety & adverse effects
Black mulberry fruit juice showed no genotoxicity in vitro and demonstrated protective activity against chromosomal aberrations induced by mitomycin C [PMID:31664310].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models (mice, rats, C. elegans), and one small pilot feasibility study in humans. While preclinical data strongly suggest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, clinical evidence for cognitive improvement is limited to a single pilot study.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 38169394 (2024) — Natural lipid nanoparticles extracted from Morus nigra L. leaves for targeted treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma via the oral route. · Journal of nanobiotechnology
2.PMID: 39529942 (2024) — Black Mulberry (Morus nigra L.): A Review of Attributes as an Anticancer Agent to Encourage Pharmaceutical Development. · Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences
3.PMID: 30791521 (2019) — Pharmacological Properties of Morus nigra L. (Black Mulberry) as A Promising Nutraceutical Resource. · Nutrients
4.PMID: 39570176 (2024) — Prospection on the black mulberry (Morus nigra L.): A technological and scientific analysis. · Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias
5.PMID: 36076399 (2022) — Black mulberry (Morus nigra) fruit extract alleviated AD-Like symptoms induced by toxic Aβ protein in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans via insulin DAF-16 signaling pathway.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 35454757 (2022) — Phytochemicals, Pharmacological Effects and Molecular Mechanisms of Mulberry. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
7.PMID: 38052130 (2024) — The effect of black mulberry (Morus nigra) consumption on cognition in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's dementia: A pilot feasibility study. · Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)
8.PMID: 31664310 (2019) — Genotoxic and Genoprotective Potential of Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) Fruit. · Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias
9.PMID: 31983015 (2020) — Inhibitory activity of black mulberry (Morus nigra) extract against testicular, liver and kidney toxicity induced by paracetamol in mice. · Molecular biology reports
10.PMID: 31899187 (2021) — Protective effect of black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) fruit hydroalcoholic extract against testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats. · Revista internacional de andrologia
11.PMID: 33450344 (2021) — Black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) polysaccharide ameliorates palmitate-induced lipotoxicity in hepatocytes by activating Nrf2 signaling pathway. · International journal of biological macromolecules
12.PMID: 31555027 (2019) — Formulation of Antioxidant Gel from Black Mulberry Fruit Extract (Morus nigra L.). · Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences
13.PMID: 40807388 (2025) — Insights into the Activities and Usefulness of Deoxynojirimycin and Morus alba: A Comprehensive Review. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
14.PMID: 35883830 (2022) — Diversity of Phytochemical and Antioxidant Characteristics of Black Mulberry (Morus nigra L.) Fruits from Turkey. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
15.PMID: 35563975 (2022) — Evaluation of Different Black Mulberry Fruits (Morus nigra L.) Based on Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
16.PMID: 33849010 (2021) — Protective Effects of Morus nigra and Its Phytochemicals against Hepatotoxicity: A Review of Preclinical Studies. · Pharmacology
17.PMID: 31861822 (2019) — Identification of Bioactive Phytochemicals in Mulberries. · Metabolites
18.PMID: 37390741 (2023) — Comprehensive structural analysis of polyphenols and their enzymatic inhibition activities and antioxidant capacity of black mulberry (Morus nigra L.). · Food chemistry
19.PMID: 37605394 (2024) — Herbal Technological Prospects of Morus nigra L.: A Systematic Patent Analysis Review. · Recent patents on biotechnology
20.PMID: 26510817 (2016) — Effect of black mulberry (Morus nigra) extract treatment on cognitive impairment and oxidative stress status of D-galactose-induced aging mice. · Pharmaceutical biology
21.PMID: 37569399 (2023) — Blackberries and Mulberries: Berries with Significant Health-Promoting Properties. · International journal of molecular sciences
22.PMID: 40490232 (2025) — Hepatoprotective activity of mulberry extract in NAFLD mice for regulating lipid metabolism and inflammation identified via AMPK/PPAR-γ/NF-κB axis. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
23.PMID: 40455241 (2025) — Polysaccharides from Black Mulberry Attenuate Colitis through Gut Microbiota Mediated TNF-α/pNF-κB/ICAM-1 Signaling Pathway. · Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
24.PMID: 38144770 (2023) — Effects of adding milk to fermented black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) juice on its antioxidant activity in C2C12 cells and changes in volatile flavor compounds during storage. · Food chemistry: X
25.PMID: 14692435 (2003) — Fig and mulberry cross-allergy. · Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
26.PMID: 33007366 (2020) — Dietary supplementation of black mulberry (Morus nigra) syrup improves the growth performance, innate immune response, antioxidant status, gene expression responses, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). · Fish & shellfish immunology
27.PMID: 30524657 (2018) — Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Black Mulberry (Morus nigra L.) in a Model of LPS-Induced Sepsis. · Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity