Kuwanon C is a prenylated flavone originally isolated from M. alba that has diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiproliferative, and neuroprotective properties.1 It scavenges DPPH radicals in a cell-free assay (EC50 = 72.99 ?g/ml).2 It is active against E. coli, S. typhimurium, S. epidermis, and S. aureus (MICs = 10, 25, 6.25, and 6.25 ?g/ml, respectively) and inhibits the growth of P388 mouse lymphoma cancer cells (IC50 = 14 ?g/ml).3,4 Kuwanon C (30 mg/kg) improves motor coordination in a rotarod test and decreases neuronal loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta in a mouse model of MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease.5
1.Nomura, T., Fukai, T., and Katayanagi, M.Kuwanon A, B, C and oxydihydromorusin, four new flavones from the root bark of the cultivated mulberry tree (Morus alba L.)Chem. Pharm. Bull.25(3)529-532(1977) 2.Mazimba, O., Majinda, R.R.T., and Motlhanka, D.Antioxidant and antibacterial constituents from Morus nigraAfr. J. Pharma. Pharmaco.5(6)751-754(2011) 3.Sohn, H.-Y., Son, K.H., Kwon, C.-S., et al.Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of 18 prenylated flavonoids isolated from medicinal plants: Morus alba L., Morus mongolica Schneider, Broussnetia papyrifera (L.) Vent, Sophora flavescens Ait and Echinosophora koreensis NakaiPhytomedicine11(7-8)666-672(2004) 4.Ferlinahayati, Syah, Y.M., Juliawaty, L.D., et al.Phenolic constituents from the wood of Morus australis with cytotoxic activityZ. Naturforsch. C. J. Biosci.63(1-2)35-39(2008) 5.Cao, W., Dong, Y., Zhao, W., et al.Mulberrin attenuates 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease by promoting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathwayJ. Chem. Neuroanat.9863-70(2019)