Anti-obesity and anti-diabetic activities of leaves extract from Morus nigra L. in mice submitted to a hypercaloric diet

Obesity is a major public health concern that is associated with endocrine and metabolic disorders. Morus nigra L. is traditionally used in folk medicine owing to its anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects. The effect of the lyophilized aqueous extract of the leaves of M. nigra L. (MN) on body weight gain and adipose tissue deposition in mice fed a hypercaloric diet was analyzed. A total of 46 male mice were divided into four groups: standard diet (SD), standard diet and extract (SD+MN), hypercaloric diet (HFD), and hypercaloric diet and extract (HFD+MN) for 12 weeks. The macroscopic, physiological, and biochemical parameters were evaluated. Use of M. nigra leaves extract in mice into hypercaloric diet (HFD+MN) reduced the blood glucose levels (mg/dl) and body weight gain (Δ%), what reflected in a lowest weight of adipose cushions (g) and gastrocnemius muscles (g) in comparison with control group (HFD) (p < 0.05). Other obesity-related biomarkers, including plasma lipid profiles and hepatic and renal functions, also showed improvement. Morus nigra leaf extract has the potential to be an alternative therapy for obesity-related metabolic disorders, primarily by improving glucose regulation and reducing fat mass in mice.

Key words
Morus nigra L; Hipercaloric diet; Anti-obesity effect; Anti-diabetic effect