Broussonetia genus

The genus Broussonetia L Her. ex Vent, of the Moraceae (mulberry family) is represented by lactiferous trees or shrubs. Broussonetia comprises about 30 species and is distributed throughout various regions of the world including Africa, East Asia, and North America [1,2]. Thus far, only three species of the genus Broussonetia have been studied for their secondary metabolites, namely, B. kazinoki, B. papyrifera, and B. zeylanica. 

Several types of bioactive compounds have been reported from the genus Broussonetia including glycosidase inhibitory alkaloids and aromatase inhibitory or cytotoxic flavonoids. This chapter reviews the biologically active constituents from the genus Broussonetia reported by the end of 2001. 

Two species of the genus Broussonetia, B. kazinoki and B. papyrifera, have been of considerable interest for their ethnomedical uses for the treatment of various human diseases. There is a substantial literature on the utilization of B. papyrifera, in particular, in the paper industry in East Asia. Extracts of Broussonetia species have exhibited various biological activities including antifungal, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and antispasmodic activities. 

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