Mulberry leaf (Morus alba, DNJ)
Asian leaf containing 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), preliminary RCT signal for postprandial glucose blunting via α-glucosidase inhibition.
Why
White mulberry (Morus alba) leaf has long-standing use in TCM and Japanese folk medicine for diabetes. The active 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), also the basis for the pharmaceutical miglitol, is an α-glucosidase inhibitor that blunts postprandial glucose. Small RCTs (Mudra 2007 Diabetes Care, Asai 2011) confirm postprandial glucose reduction in mild T2DM and healthy adults.
How it works
DNJ competitively inhibits intestinal α-glucosidase, delaying carbohydrate hydrolysis and reducing postprandial glucose spike, same mechanism as pharmaceutical miglitol and acarbose. Independent effects on hepatic glucose output and oxidative stress documented in animal models.
Expected onset · Postprandial glucose effect acute (with the meal)
How to take
Dosage
Standardised mulberry leaf extract: 1,000 mg before each main meal, or stated DNJ content (5–20 mg per dose).
Timing
10–15 minutes before main meals
On the label
Standardised mulberry leaf with stated DNJ (1-deoxynojirimycin) content, most clinical work uses ~12–25 mg DNJ per dose.
Ideal for
Adults with prediabetes, postprandial hyperglycaemia, or metabolic syndrome exploring botanical glucose-blunting.
Safety
Evidence
Mudra 2007 Diabetes Care RCT (n=48 T2DM and controls): mulberry leaf extract significantly reduced postprandial glucose AUC after sucrose challenge in both groups. Asai 2011 confirmed signal at lower DNJ doses. Preliminary evidence, no Cochrane review, EMA HMPC monograph or EFSA-authorised health claim covers this indication; cited RCTs are small or in non-tier-1 journals. Useful as honest reference rather than evidence-grade recommendation.
Preliminary evidence, no Cochrane review, EMA HMPC monograph or EFSA-authorised health claim covers this indication; cited RCTs are small or in non-tier-1 journals. Useful as honest reference rather than evidence-grade recommendation.
- Mudra et al., Diabetes Care 2007, influence of mulberry leaf extract on the blood glucose and breath hydrogen response to ingestion of 75 g sucrose by type 2 diabetic and control subjects
- Asai et al., Eur J Nutr 2011, fortified ironsuit milk drink with mulberry leaf 1-deoxynojirimycin extract suppresses postprandial blood glucose response in adults (RCT)
Where to get it
Shop Mulberry leaf (Morus alba, DNJ) on AmazonSponsored · As an Amazon Associate, Healicus earns from qualifying purchases.