In vitro and In vivo Studies on Mulberry Extracts: Evaluation of Chemical and Anticancer Activities and Attenuation of Lead Toxicity

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is one of the environmental pollutants. There has been a serious concern in the recent past regarding natural source for protection or curing from lead. The aim of the present study is evaluation and comparing of mulberry leaves and fruits extracts in protection from lead toxicity on the brain and testes of rats, as well as determination of their chemical activity and anticancer effect on hepatocarcinoma (HEPG2) and colon cancer cell line (HTC). Leaves extract showed higher results than fruits extract in total phenols, total flavonoids and antioxidant activities in both radical scavenging activity (DPPH) and ferric reducing power tests (FRAP). Leaves and fruits extracts exerts almost have the same killing effect on (HEPG2). Leaves extract has slight better killing power on (HTC) than fruits extract. In the experiment on rats; leaves showed more efficiency in a time dependent manner in ameliorating the harmful effect of lead on blood parameter like white and red blood cells, hemoglobin, cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose. Both leaves and fruits extracts have protective effect from injury induced by lead on tissues of rat testes, however, they showed little protective effect on brain tissue. In conclusion, mulberry leaves and fruits have considerable active compounds and antioxidant properties which are useful as anticancer agents. Moreover they showed protective effect against lead toxicity which induced anemia, metabolic disorder and tissue injury.