**1. Introduction**

Mulberry (Genus: *Morus*; Family: Moraceae) is an economical and widespread woody plant. In the Asian countries mulberry is widely cultivated for its leaf to feed the monophagous silkworm (*Bombyx mori* L.). The silkworm (*B. mori* L.) only naturally feed on mulberry leaf which makes mulberry the most vital component of sericulture industry that provides employment to a large number of people of India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and many other Asian countries [1]. Other than sericulture it has an enormous economic value leads to its several unique and special features. Each single parts of mulberry plant can be used for various purposes. In India it is popularly known as 'Kalpa Vriksha' for its multipurpose utilities [2].

#### *Medicinal Plants*

Main elements that determine the nutritional quality of any edible plant products are the qualitative and quantitative presence of protein, carbohydrate, dietary fiber and types of vitamin present inside the product; mulberry plant can be highly rated in this context [2]. Mulberry fruits in fresh condition contain carbohydrate which is present either in the form of simple sugars or in the form of starch, soluble and insoluble fibers. They are low in calorie value and high in water content. Iron, vitamin C, decent amount of potassium, vitamin E and K are predominantly found present in the fruits. They are also rich in plant compounds, like anthocyanins, that contribute to their color and positive health effects. Fruits can also improve the blood sugar level, can lower the amount of blood cholesterol, and can help in preventing fatty liver disease. Fruits are also found effective in decreasing the oxidative stress which can reduce the risk of cancer. Leaves of mulberry are also excellent food stuffs as they show nearly the same properties as the fruit. Recent findings mentioned that mulberry leaves contain high amount of bioactive compounds which mainly includes alkaloids, flavonoids, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and phenolic acids [3]. These compounds are effectively involved with antioxidation property [4, 5], as it lowers glycemia [6, 7] minimizes hypertension [8], prevents atherosclerosis, [9] and also shows anti-inflammation property [10]. Bioactive compounds like 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), found in mulberry, seems to be a powerful inhibitor of α-glycosidase and has also shown potential therapeutic capacity for minimizing many diseases, particularly type II diabetes [11, 12]. Recent investigations also explored the very interesting tyrosinase inhibition activity of mulberry. In this regards, white mulberry (*Morus alba*), black mulberry (*Morus nigra)* and red mulberry (*Morus rubra*) are the most accepted worldwide species of the genus *Morus* [2].

Unani, Ayurveda, and Chinese systems of medicine traditionally recognize almost all mulberry varieties for their several pharmacological properties. *M. nigra* fruits are considered as one of the most important components having anti-cancerous properties and popularly known as 'Tuti Aswad or Toot Aswad' in Unani literature [13]. Traditional medicine practitioners consider mulberry as one of the most efficient

#### **Figure 1.**

*Overview of importance of mulberry in food and pharmaceutical industry.*

*Mulberry as a Valuable Resource for Food and Pharmaceutical Industries: A Review DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.104631*

plant in the treatment of blood pressure, dental diseases, constipation, helminthic complications, diabetes, hypertension, anemia and arthritic pain [2].

Valuable constituents in mulberry plant; mainly the fruits and leaves categorizes it as a plant which can perfectly be placed in the category of a functional food that not only useful to human health but also having proper basic nutritional function [14]. The Ministry of Health of China in 1985, declared *M. alba* as the first medicinally significant edible fruit [15]. Both leaves and fruits of *M. alba* are also considered as food and drugs along with its primary considerations [16].

The population of Earth been never before as huge as it is today [17]. Rise of nutrient deficiencies is also tied with this population growth has become a serious global crisis, predominantly in the areas where the diet lacks variety. Cheap, easily available, nutritious and pharmaceutically influential plant resources are seems to be the solution of this global crisis. In this context the current review attempts to provide an insight into the potential of mulberry as a valuable resource for food and pharmaceutical industries. An overview of importance of mulberry in food and pharmaceutical industry is shown in **Figure 1**.
