Yousif A. Elhassaneen^1,, Sobhi I. Hassab El-Nabi², Nazeha A. Khalil¹, Sara A. Abd ElMaksoud¹

This study aimed to evaluate the potential protective effects of Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf powder (MLP) against benzo[a]pyrene-induced liver damage in rats. MLP was prepared, and its chemical composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant properties were analyzed. The results showed that MLP is rich in protein, ash, crude fiber, dietary fiber, carbohydrates, and non-nutrient antioxidants, such as phenolics, carotenoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides, tannins, and kampferol. It also demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, with values of 63.72%, 80.04%, and 82.66% in aqueous, methanol, and ethanol extracts, respectively. For the biological studies, rats were fed MLP at concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15% (g/100 g) in their basal diet for four weeks following B[a]P-induced hepatotoxicity. Rats exposed to B[a]P showed a significant (p≤0.05) reduction in glycogen content (-66.5%) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity (-60%), while glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activity increased substantially by 279.7% compared to the normal control group. Additionally, B[a]P exposure resulted in a significant (p≤0.05) increase in the activity of drug-metabolizing enzymes (cytochrome P450, CYP450, 64.6%) and reactive oxygen species (ROS, 267.2%), alongside a significant (p≤0.01) decrease in serum triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and glutathione (GSH) levels, with reductions of -15.6%, -37.3%, and -58.4%, respectively, compared to the normal control group. In contrast, the inclusion of MLP in the rat diets for 28 days resulted in significant improvements in liver function, antioxidant status, and lipid metabolism, along with positive changes in liver histopathology. In conclusion, these results suggest that MLP may have potential as a hepatoprotective agent for mitigating liver damage.

Chemical composition, bioactive compounds, liver functions, CYP450, serum lipid profile, glutathione