News | Mulberry Fruit Extract May Improve Reproductive Health in Men With Obesity
A new study evaluated the therapeutic potential of mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit extract for male reproductive dysfunction associated with obesity, suggesting this natural ingredient may have potential in treating male infertility.
Published in Nutrients, the study comprehensively analyzed current evidence and described molecular mechanisms through which mulberry extract may reduce male reproductive dysfunction induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). As obesity becomes more prevalent worldwide, men with obesity often experience lower sperm concentration, altered testicular morphology, and impaired spermatogenesis. High-fat diets may worsen these effects through oxidative stress, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance.
Treatment options for obesity-related infertility remain limited, making alternative therapies an important area of research. Mulberry fruit extract is rich in bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins and polyphenols and has shown strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce obesity-related reproductive dysfunction.
Researchers cautioned that despite its promising potential, further research is needed to establish standardized treatment protocols, assess long-term effectiveness, and fully explain its mechanisms in obesity-related male reproductive dysfunction.
Study Overview
The researchers searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar for studies of mulberry fruit extract in high-fat-diet-induced male reproductive dysfunction. They screened relevant literature published since 2005 and selectively reviewed basic research.
Screening occurred in two stages: irrelevant studies were excluded based on titles and abstracts, followed by full-text review for methodological rigor and relevance. Reviewers independently extracted information on study design, sample characteristics, interventions, reproductive outcomes, mechanisms, and statistical data, resolving disagreements through discussion.
Results
A high-fat diet affects male reproductive function through complex structural, molecular, and systemic mechanisms. It is closely associated with changes in testicular morphology, hormonal imbalance, and altered sperm parameters. Findings included smaller seminiferous tubule diameter, impaired junctions between Sertoli and germ cells, and fewer Leydig cells. Combined with oxidative stress, increased reactive oxygen species, and chronic inflammation, these changes impaired spermatogenesis and damaged sperm DNA.
Hormonal imbalance, including lower testosterone and possible leptin resistance, further worsened reproductive health. Epigenetic changes induced by a high-fat diet may even have transgenerational effects, highlighting the long-term impact of dietary patterns on fertility.
Mulberry fruit extract showed therapeutic potential through phytochemicals including anthocyanins, polyphenols, and 1-deoxynojirimycin, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic-regulating properties. By reducing oxidative stress, improving mitochondrial function, and regulating inflammatory pathways, these compounds improved reproductive outcomes. Mulberry extract preserved testicular structure, seminiferous tubule integrity, and blood-testis barrier function; significantly improved sperm concentration, motility, and morphology; and supported metabolic health.
Molecular studies showed that mulberry extract regulates key signaling pathways including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), AMP-activated protein kinase/sirtuin 1 (AMPK/SIRT1), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), reducing inflammation and strengthening antioxidant defenses.
These effects included increased activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, along with significantly reduced lipid peroxidation. Improved mitochondrial function increased ATP production, stabilized mitochondrial membrane potential, and upregulated genes related to energy metabolism, supporting better sperm motility.
Conclusion
This review highlights mulberry fruit extract as a promising potential treatment for male reproductive dysfunction caused by a high-fat diet. Its phytochemicals, especially anthocyanins and polyphenols, showed protective effects by strengthening antioxidant defenses, reducing inflammation, regulating NF-κB signaling, and activating AMPK/SIRT1 pathways, improving testicular morphology, spermatogenesis, and sperm parameters.
Despite its potential for male reproductive health, further studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and establish standardized treatment protocols.
News | Mulberry Fruit Extract May Improve Reproductive Health in Men With Obesity
News | Mulberry Fruit Extract May Improve Reproductive Health in Men With Obesity
A new study evaluated the therapeutic potential of mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit extract for male reproductive dysfunction associated with obesity, suggesting this natural ingredient may have potential in treating male infertility.
Published in Nutrients, the study comprehensively analyzed current evidence and described molecular mechanisms through which mulberry extract may reduce male reproductive dysfunction induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). As obesity becomes more prevalent worldwide, men with obesity often experience lower sperm concentration, altered testicular morphology, and impaired spermatogenesis. High-fat diets may worsen these effects through oxidative stress, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance.
Treatment options for obesity-related infertility remain limited, making alternative therapies an important area of research. Mulberry fruit extract is rich in bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins and polyphenols and has shown strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce obesity-related reproductive dysfunction.
Researchers cautioned that despite its promising potential, further research is needed to establish standardized treatment protocols, assess long-term effectiveness, and fully explain its mechanisms in obesity-related male reproductive dysfunction.
Study Overview
The researchers searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar for studies of mulberry fruit extract in high-fat-diet-induced male reproductive dysfunction. They screened relevant literature published since 2005 and selectively reviewed basic research.
Screening occurred in two stages: irrelevant studies were excluded based on titles and abstracts, followed by full-text review for methodological rigor and relevance. Reviewers independently extracted information on study design, sample characteristics, interventions, reproductive outcomes, mechanisms, and statistical data, resolving disagreements through discussion.
Results
A high-fat diet affects male reproductive function through complex structural, molecular, and systemic mechanisms. It is closely associated with changes in testicular morphology, hormonal imbalance, and altered sperm parameters. Findings included smaller seminiferous tubule diameter, impaired junctions between Sertoli and germ cells, and fewer Leydig cells. Combined with oxidative stress, increased reactive oxygen species, and chronic inflammation, these changes impaired spermatogenesis and damaged sperm DNA.
Hormonal imbalance, including lower testosterone and possible leptin resistance, further worsened reproductive health. Epigenetic changes induced by a high-fat diet may even have transgenerational effects, highlighting the long-term impact of dietary patterns on fertility.
Mulberry fruit extract showed therapeutic potential through phytochemicals including anthocyanins, polyphenols, and 1-deoxynojirimycin, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic-regulating properties. By reducing oxidative stress, improving mitochondrial function, and regulating inflammatory pathways, these compounds improved reproductive outcomes. Mulberry extract preserved testicular structure, seminiferous tubule integrity, and blood-testis barrier function; significantly improved sperm concentration, motility, and morphology; and supported metabolic health.
Molecular studies showed that mulberry extract regulates key signaling pathways including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), AMP-activated protein kinase/sirtuin 1 (AMPK/SIRT1), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), reducing inflammation and strengthening antioxidant defenses.
These effects included increased activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, along with significantly reduced lipid peroxidation. Improved mitochondrial function increased ATP production, stabilized mitochondrial membrane potential, and upregulated genes related to energy metabolism, supporting better sperm motility.
Conclusion
This review highlights mulberry fruit extract as a promising potential treatment for male reproductive dysfunction caused by a high-fat diet. Its phytochemicals, especially anthocyanins and polyphenols, showed protective effects by strengthening antioxidant defenses, reducing inflammation, regulating NF-κB signaling, and activating AMPK/SIRT1 pathways, improving testicular morphology, spermatogenesis, and sperm parameters.
Despite its potential for male reproductive health, further studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and establish standardized treatment protocols.
Source:
Collected online