Therapeutic Potential of Mulberry and Its Resilience to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses

Mulberry is a plant species of significant economic value and is widely incorporated into various traditional medicinal formulations. Its multiple botanical parts (leaves, branches, fruits, seeds, and roots) possess both nutritional and therapeutic properties. Throughout its growth cycle, mulberry is exposed to a range of abiotic and biotic stresses. In response, the plant has evolved a suite of stress tolerance mechanisms, notably including the synthesis of diverse secondary metabolites. These metabolites, which encompass phenolic acids, flavonoids, and volatile aromatic compounds, exhibit pronounced pharmacological activities. This review systematically elucidates the roles of mulberry-derived phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and polysaccharides, which demonstrate a broad spectrum of biological effects, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, and anti-enteritis activities. By integrating knowledge of mulberry’s adaptive mechanisms to abiotic and biotic stresses with the therapeutic functions of its extracts, this review aims to provide novel insights to guide future molecular breeding strategies and drug development efforts.