Flavonol Content in the Water Extract of the Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Leaf and Their Antioxidant Capacities

Abstract: The biological activities of the mulberry ( Morus alba L.) leaf have been attributed to its flavonoid content. The water extract of the mulberry leaf (WEML) was prepared by autoclaving at 121 °C for 15 min, and the flavonol content of the WEML was determined by HPLC The WEML contained 4 flavonols in the following order: quercetin‐3‐β‐D‐glucose (QT‐G) > quercetin‐3‐O‐glucose‐6″‐acetate (QT‐GA) > rutin (RT) > quercetin (QT). In the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, QT had the highest peroxyl radical‐scavenging capacity and a similar hydroxyl radical‐scavenging capacity as its glycosides (QT‐G, QT‐GA, and RT). QT exhibited a stronger cellular antioxidant capacity (CAC) against 2,2′‐Azobis(2‐amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)‐ and Cu 2+ ‐induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells compared to its glycosides, indicating that the intracellular antioxidant capacity of QT and its glycosides may depend upon both the permeability across the cell membrane and the peroxyl or hydroxyl radical‐scavenging capacity. Practical Application: The information presented might be used for developing mulberry leaf‐based functional foods.