Positive Health Online

Abstract

SAKAGAMI and COLLEAGUES, Division of Pharmacology, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences, Meikai University School of Dentistry, Sakado, Saitama 350-0283, Japan.  sakagami@dent.meikai.ac.jp investigated the anti-oxidant and anti-HIV properties of mulberry juice.

Background

Methodology

Anti-stress and anti-HIV activity of mulberry juice were separated by centrifugation. The anti-stress activity was enriched in the supernatant fraction whereas the anti-HIV activity in the precipitate fraction.

Results

Oral administration of the supernatant fraction significantly reduced the elevated plasma level of lipid peroxide in mice loaded with water immersion restraint stress. The kinetic study revealed that the anti-stress activity was maintained for 4 hours after cessation of the administration of mulberry juice. The lignin fraction in the precipitate fraction scavenged superoxide and hydroxyl radicals more efficiently than other fractions, in a synergistic fashion with sodium ascorbate. Anti-HIV activity of mulberry juice was concentrated in the lignin fraction, whereas blueberry juice, which has no precipitating fibrous materials, did not show anti-HIV activity.

Conclusion

The present study suggests the functionality of mulberry juice as an alternative medicine.

References

Sakagami H,  Asano K,  Satoh K,  Takahashi K,  Kobayashi M,  Koga N,  Takahashi H,  Tachikawa R,  Tashiro T,  Hasegawa A,  Kurihara K,  Ikarashi T,  Kanamoto T,  Terakubo S,  Nakashima H,  Watanabe S and  Nakamura W. Anti-stress, anti-HIV and vitamin C-synergized radical scavenging activity of mulberry juice fractions. In Vivo.  21(3): 499-505, May-Jun 2007.