Preprint / Version 1

Antispasmodic Activity of Prenylated Phenolic Compounds from the Root Bark of Morus nigra

Authors

  • Zoofishan Zoofishan Institute of Pharmacognosy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Center, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
  • Norbert Kúsz Institute of Pharmacognosy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Center, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
  • Attila Csorba Institute of Pharmacognosy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Center, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
  • Gábor Tóth NMR Group, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Szt. Gellért Sq. 4, H-1111 Budapest, Hungary
  • Judit Hajagos-Tóth Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
  • Anna Kothencz Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
  • Róbert Gáspár Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
  • Attila Hunyadi Institute of Pharmacognosy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Center, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary

Keywords:

mulberry polyphenol, prenylflavonoid, arylbenzofuran, gastrointestinal disorder, asthma, spasmolytic

Abstract

Black mulberry is a widely acknowledged ancient traditional medicine. Its extract and constituents have been reported to exert various bioactivities including antimicrobial, hypotensive, analgesic etc. effects. While black mulberry preparations are also used as antispasmodic agents in folk medicine, no related studies are available on its isolated constituents. Through an extensive chromatographic purification, seven phenolic compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of Morus nigra root bark, including morusin (1), kuwanon U (2), kuwanon E (3), moracin P (4), moracin O (5), albanol A (6), and albanol B (7). A complete NMR signal assignment of moracin P and O was achieved, and related literature errors confusing the identity of moracin derivatives are hereby clarified. Compounds 2, 5 and 7 were identified as strong antispasmodic agents on isolated rat ileum and tracheal smooth muscles, while compound 3, a methoxy derivative of 2, was inactive. Moracin O (5) inhibited the ileal and tracheal smooth muscle contractions with Emax values of 85% and 302 mg, respectively. Those actions were superior as compared with papaverine. Our findings demonstrate that prenylated arylbenzofurans, geranylated flavonoids and Diels-Alder adducts from Morus nigra are valuable antispasmodic agents. Compounds 2, 5 and 7 are suggested as marker compounds for quality control of antispasmodic mulberry preparations. Moracin O (5) is a new lead compound for related drug development initiatives. Keywords: mulberry polyphenol, prenylflavonoid, arylbenzofuran, gastrointestinal disorder, asthma, spasmolytic

Author Biographies

Judit Hajagos-Tóth, Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary

Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, H-670 Szeged, Hungary

Anna Kothencz, Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary

Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, H-670 Szeged, Hungary

Róbert Gáspár, Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary

Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, H-670 Szeged, Hungary

Attila Hunyadi, Institute of Pharmacognosy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Center, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary

Interdisciplinary Centre for Natural Products, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary