Mulberry leaves (MLs) have been used traditionally to raise silkworms and as herbs and herbal drinks. In vitro and in vivo studies as well as some clinical trials provide some evidence of health benefits, mostly for ML extracts. ML extracts showed antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anticholesterol (affecting lipid metabolism), antiobesity, anti-inflammatory, anticancer activities, and so on. These might be linked to strong antioxidant activities, inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, reduction of foam cell formation, inhibition of fat formation, decrease of NF-κB activity, and the promotion or induction of apoptosis. Phenolic constituents, especially flavonoids, phenolic acids and alkaloids, are likely to contribute to the reported effects. The phytochemistry and pharmacology of MLs confer the traditional and current uses as medicine, food, fodder, and cosmetics. This paper reviews the economic value, chemical composition and pharmacology of MLs to provide a reference for the development and utilization of MLs.

桑叶 (ML) 传统上用于养蚕以及用作草药和草药饮料。体外和体内研究以及一些临床试验提供了一些健康益处的证据，主要是 ML 提取物。ML提取物显示出抗氧化、降血糖、抗胆固醇（影响脂质代谢）、抗肥胖、抗炎、抗癌等活性。这些可能与强抗氧化活性、抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶和α-葡萄糖苷酶有关-淀粉酶，减少泡沫细胞形成，抑制脂肪形成，降低NF-κB活性，促进或诱导细胞凋亡。酚类成分，尤其是黄酮类、酚酸和生物碱，可能对报告的影响有贡献。MLs 的植物化学和药理学赋予其作为药物、食品、饲料和化妆品的传统和当前用途。本文综述了MLs的经济价值、化学成分和药理作用，为MLs的开发利用提供参考。