Simultaneous characterization and quantification of flavonoids in Morus australis root as potential hepatoprotective nutraceutical

Morus australis distributed widely in China has high value in food and agriculture. Twelve phenolic compounds were isolated and identified as major constituents of M. australis root from Shaanxi province, China, while the protective effect of M. australis root on liver injury has never been determined in detail. In this study, the hepatoprotective ability of M. australis root was investigated in vivo and in vitro. The ethanol‐water extract prepared from M. australis root showed protection on alcohol‐induced liver damage in mice by decreasing the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, triacylglycerol and malondialdehyde, and by increasing glutathione contents. Furthermore, among 12 major constituents of M. australis root, 10 flavonoids (especially 1) showed protection against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐intoxicated HepG2 cell lines by decreased lactic dehydrogenase levels. In addition a validated HPLC‐DAD method was established for the quantitative analysis of 10 flavonoids in the bioactive extract. Practical applications Our results showed that M. australis root extract significantly alleviated the liver damage in mice. Ten flavonoids from the root of this plant exhibited protection on CCl4‐intoxicated HepG2 cell lines. This study suggests that Morus australis root has hepatoprotective potential as a promising supplement for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. M. australis root extract significantly alleviated liver damage in mice. Ten flavonoids from this extract exhibited protection on carbon tetrachloride intoxicated HepG2 cell lines. Contents of ten individual flavonoids and total flavonoids of this extract were analyzed by HPLC‐DAD method.