Researchers discovered that mulberry leaf extract might help reduce weight gain and improve metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet. The extract appears to work by strengthening the gut lining, reducing inflammation, and changing the balance of bacteria in the digestive system. These bacteria changes helped the body burn fat more efficiently and improved blood sugar control. While these results are promising, this research was done in mice, so scientists will need to test whether the same benefits occur in humans before recommending mulberry leaves as an obesity treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether mulberry leaf extract could help reduce weight gain and improve metabolism in mice eating a high-fat diet, and how it might work in the body
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice that were fed a high-fat diet to become overweight, then treated with mulberry leaf extract or a control treatment
  • Key finding: Mice treated with mulberry leaf extract lost more than 5% of their body weight, had better blood sugar control, improved cholesterol levels, and showed changes in their gut bacteria that supported these improvements
  • What it means for you: Mulberry leaf extract shows promise as a potential natural approach to weight management, but this research was only done in mice. Humans would need to be studied to know if these benefits apply to people. Talk to your doctor before using mulberry supplements, especially if you take medications.

The Research Details

Scientists used mice that were made overweight by feeding them a high-fat diet, similar to how some people gain weight from eating unhealthy foods. They then gave some mice mulberry leaf extract while giving others a placebo (fake treatment) to compare results. The researchers measured multiple things including body weight, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, inflammation markers, and the types of bacteria living in the mice’s digestive systems.

This type of study is called a controlled animal experiment. It allows researchers to carefully control all the conditions and measure specific effects without the complications that come with human studies. The mice were studied over a period of time to see how the mulberry extract affected their weight and health markers.

Animal studies like this one help scientists understand how a substance might work in a living body before testing it in humans. By studying mice, researchers can safely test whether mulberry leaf extract affects weight, metabolism, and gut health without the risks and ethical concerns of human testing. This research provides the foundation needed to decide whether human studies are worth pursuing.

This study was published in a respected nutrition science journal, which means it went through expert review. However, because it was conducted only in mice, the results may not directly apply to humans. Mouse bodies work differently than human bodies in some ways. The study appears well-designed with multiple measurements and comparisons, but the sample size of mice was not specified in the abstract, making it harder to assess statistical reliability. Human studies would be needed to confirm these findings.

What the Results Show

Mice treated with mulberry leaf extract experienced significant weight loss, losing more than 5% of their body weight compared to control mice. Beyond weight loss, the extract improved several important health markers: cholesterol levels improved, liver fat decreased, and blood sugar control got better. These improvements suggest the extract helps the body process fats and sugars more efficiently.

The researchers discovered that mulberry leaf extract worked by activating specific pathways in cells that help burn fat for energy while reducing the production of new fat. This is like turning up the body’s fat-burning furnace while simultaneously turning down the fat-making factory.

Perhaps most importantly, the extract changed the composition of bacteria living in the mice’s digestive systems. The ratio of two major types of bacteria shifted significantly—the Firmicutes bacteria decreased by 61% relative to Bacteroidota bacteria. The extract increased beneficial bacteria types while reducing harmful ones. These bacterial changes were directly linked to the improvements in weight and metabolism.

The mulberry leaf extract also reduced inflammation throughout the body and specifically in the digestive system. Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a driver of obesity and related diseases. The extract strengthened the intestinal barrier—the protective lining of the digestive tract—by increasing proteins that hold the intestinal wall together tightly. A stronger intestinal barrier prevents harmful substances from leaking into the bloodstream, which can trigger inflammation and weight gain. The extract also increased mucus production in the intestines, which provides additional protection.

This research builds on growing evidence that gut bacteria play an important role in weight management and metabolism. Previous studies have shown that obese people and animals have different bacterial compositions than lean ones. This study provides a mechanism for how a natural plant extract might help restore healthier bacterial balance. The findings align with other research showing that strengthening the intestinal barrier can help prevent obesity-related complications.

The most significant limitation is that this research was conducted only in mice, not humans. Mouse metabolism differs from human metabolism in important ways, so results may not translate directly. The abstract doesn’t specify how many mice were used or provide detailed statistical information about the reliability of the findings. The study doesn’t tell us the optimal dose of mulberry leaf extract or whether different doses would produce different results. Additionally, we don’t know how long the effects would last or whether they would persist if mice stopped receiving the extract. Long-term human studies would be needed to address these questions.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research alone, mulberry leaf extract cannot be recommended as a proven obesity treatment. The findings are promising enough to warrant human studies, but until those are completed, mulberry leaf extract should be considered experimental. If you’re interested in trying it, consult your healthcare provider first, especially if you take medications for diabetes, cholesterol, or other conditions. Don’t use mulberry supplements as a replacement for proven weight loss strategies like balanced eating and physical activity.

People interested in natural approaches to weight management should be aware of this research, but shouldn’t rely on it yet. Healthcare providers studying obesity and gut health should note these findings as they may inform future research directions. People with gut health concerns or metabolic disorders might find this interesting, but should wait for human studies before making decisions. This research is NOT yet appropriate for clinical use in humans.

In the mice studied, benefits appeared to develop over the course of the experiment, though the exact timeline isn’t specified in the abstract. If human studies eventually confirm these findings, it would likely take weeks to months to see meaningful weight loss, similar to other weight management interventions. Don’t expect overnight results from any weight loss approach.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If a user decides to try mulberry leaf extract (with doctor approval), track weekly body weight, energy levels, and digestive symptoms in a simple log. Also note any changes in appetite or cravings, as these may shift as gut bacteria composition changes.
  • Users could set a reminder to take mulberry leaf extract consistently at the same time daily, paired with logging their meals and physical activity. This creates accountability and helps identify patterns between supplement use and weight or health changes.
  • Over 8-12 weeks, track body weight weekly, waist circumference monthly, and subjective measures like energy, digestion, and appetite. Keep notes on any side effects or changes in how you feel. Share this data with your healthcare provider to assess whether the supplement is working for you personally.

This research was conducted in mice and has not been tested in humans. Mulberry leaf extract is not approved by the FDA as a weight loss treatment. Do not use mulberry supplements as a replacement for proven weight management strategies. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement, especially if you take medications for diabetes, high cholesterol, blood thinning, or other conditions, as mulberry may interact with these medications. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid mulberry supplements unless directed by their doctor. Individual results may vary significantly from animal study findings.