Interrelation of cholesterol-lowering, antioxidant activity and DNA damage protection to the different solvent extracts of mulberry (Morus alba L.)

Relationships among the cholesterol-lowering, antioxidant, and DNA damage protection activity of four solvent extracts from the Morus alba L. (Cultivar Hongguo 2) fruits, leaves, and twigs were investigated. The petroleum ether extract of fruit (FPE) had the highest amount of total flavonoids, cholesterol-lowering activity, and better DPPH radical scavenging capacity. The ethyl acetate extract of fruit (FEE) had the highest antioxidant activity. The petroleum ether extract of the leaf (LPE), fruit (FPE), and ethyl acetate extract of twig (TEE) had strong inhibiting lipid oxidation activity (ILOA) and DNA damage protection potential, accompanied with high total phenols and flavonoids content. It suggested that polyphenol contents, flavonoid contents, or both to Hongguo 2 were positively correlated with the three biological activities, moreover, the low polarity extracts of the high ILOA could improve the cholesterol-lowering activity or DNA damage protection potential through the synergism among different polyphenolic and flavonoids compounds. Practical applications All the results indicate that the medium and low polarity substances of Hongguo 2 are good sources of natural anti-hypercholesterolemia, antioxidants, and DNA damage protection deserved further investigation and process to functional food. The petroleum ether extract of the fruit (FPE) had both high cholesterol-lowering and DNA damage protection activity that could serve as potential Chinese patent medicine in a trial to alleviate the adverse effects of hypercholesterolemic individuals. The petroleum ether extract of the leaf, fruit, and ethyl acetate extract of twig with strong DNA damage protection potential and rich phenols and flavonoids could be a functional food to prevent genetic damage. The fruit ethyl acetate extract with high antioxidant activity could be a natural anti-aging ingredient to apply to antioxidation health products.