Written by Joyce Smith, BS. This study investigates the mechanisms by which mulberry leaf extract protects against glyphosate-induced brain toxicity.

Brain HealthGlyphosate, the most active ingredient in Roundup®, is used extensively throughout the world. It is present, along with its metabolites, in soil, rainwater, and natural water sources 1. Glyphosate molecules can act as ligands and attach to foods as witnessed in a recent study that revealed an accumulation of glyphosate in the organs and muscles of chickens that ate glyphosate- contaminated feed 2. Glyphosate, also found to be present in the urine of humans, is associated with oxidative stress and neuroinflammation 3. It breaks down into glyoxylate, a potent glycating agent, that damages DNA 4 and has been directly implicated in Parkinson’s disease 5.

Silybum marianum (milk thistle) extract, black tea extract, and Ginkgo biloba 6,7 have all been found to decrease the toxicity of pesticides. The leaves of L, Moraceae, (commonly known as mulberry), particularly those of the white mulberry (Morus alba), are important antioxidants that protect against neurodegenerative diseases.

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of a polyphenolic extract from Morus alba leaf (MALE) on the toxic glyphosate-induced brain oxidation and to determine the mechanisms responsible for this process. Four groups (6 rats per group), were exposed to glyphosate for 2 weeks, then anesthetized and the brain homogenate used to determine biochemical parameters.

Group 2 rats were injected with glyphosate (100 mg kg -1 body weight), Group 3 rats with MALE (100 ugmL -1 kg-1 b.w.), and Group 4 rats received both glyphosate and MALE.

Group OneGroup TwoGroup ThreeGroup Four
Control no injectionsGlyphosate injection
(100 mg kg -1 body weight)
MALE injection
(100 ugmL -1 kg-1 body weight)
Both glyphosate and MALE injection.

To determine the protective effects of MALE on glyphosate-induced toxicity, researchers tested the brain homogenate for the following: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase (CAT) assay, peroxidase (POD) assay, superoxide dismutase (SOD), calcium, free iron, H202, lipoperoxidation, and protein carbonylation.

The lab results revealed a strong protective effect of MALE on glyphosate-induced release of lactate dehydrogenase from brain homogenate. MALE significantly reduced intracellular lipo- peroxidation and protein carbonylation as well as free iron, Ca2 and H202, stopped the increase in levels of CAT and POD activities, and decreased SOD activity compared to the control (P<0.05) and the pesticide –treated rats.(P<0.01)

Researchers believe MALE protects against glyphosate-induced toxicity by controlling the antioxidation enzyme system. It abrogates levels of CAT, POD, and SOD activity, and chelates free iron and scavenges H202, thereby reducing their levels. Researchers claim these beneficial effects of MALE may be due to its antioxidant properties which protect against free radical oxidation of enzymes, proteins and lipids.

Further studies on the neuroprotective bioactive compounds of MALE against glyphosate-induced toxicity are presently being done.

Source: Rebai, Olfa, Manel Belkhir, Adnen Boujelben, Sami Fattouch, and Mohamed Amri. “Morus alba leaf extract mediates neuroprotection against glyphosate-induced toxicity and biochemical alterations in the brain.” Environmental Science and Pollution Research 24, no. 10 (2017): 9605-9613.

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2017

Posted September 18, 2017.

Joyce Smith, BS, is a degreed laboratory technologist. She received her bachelor of arts with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Biology from the University of Saskatchewan and her internship through the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine and the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She currently resides in Bloomingdale, IL.

References:

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