Phenols, Flavonoids, and Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Leaves and Stem Bark of Morus Species.

Leaves and stem bark composition fromMorusspecies(M. albavar.alba, M. albavar.rosaandM. rubra)was evaluated for its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in order to enhance its therapeutic uses. Total phenolics and flavonoids contents were estimated in hydromethanolic and aqueous extracts. Results showed highest content inM. rubraleaves aqueous extract (1129 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g dry weight and 816 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g dry weight, respectively). Using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, the highest antioxidant activity was obtained in aqueous stem barks extracts.M. albavar.albahas an IC50of 2.84 mg/ml and the IC50value ofM. rubrawas the highest (4.78 mg/ml). ABTS.+(2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) method and reducing power assay were used to confirm the results from the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test. All extracts expressed considerable free radical-scavenging properties. Hydromethanolic and aqueous extracts were tested againstStaphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus feacalis, Staphylococcus epidermis, Escherichia coli,and Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria. Hydromethanolic stem bark extracts have the highest antimicrobial activities, and it may be a good antimicrobial agent for human gastrointestinal infections. This plant could be used as an additive to foods and also as a possible source to obtain new and effective herbal medicines to treat infections of multi-drug resistant strains of microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]