A REVIEW OF ETHNOBOTANY, PHYTOCHEMISTRY, ANTIVIRAL AND CYTOTOXIC / ANTICANCER POTENTIAL OF MORUS ALBA LINN.

Abstract

Morus alba Linn. belongs to family Moraceae commonly known as White mulberry, is one of
the old and popular plant esteemed for its wide variety of nutritional and therapeutic values. It
has great antiviral and cytotoxic potential. The present review summarizes ethnobotany,
phytochemistry, antiviral and cytotoxic / anticancer potential of Morus alba. Phytochemical
screening of Morus alba revealed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, tannins,
polysaccharides and lectins which act as antiviral, cytotoxic and antiapoptotic compounds. To
the best of our knowledge, this is the first review focusing on antiviral and cytotoxic potential of
Morus alba Linn. in detail.