Herb Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

Chu Shi Zi

Paper mulberry fruit · 楮实子

Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent. · Fructus Broussonetiae

Also known as: Chu Shi (楮实), Chu Tao (楮桃)

Chu Shi Zi (Paper mulberry fruit) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Paper mulberry fruit is a gentle Yin-nourishing herb that supports the Kidneys and Liver. It is commonly used for people with low back and knee weakness, blurry vision, dizziness, and water retention. Its cold, sweet nature makes it especially suited for conditions rooted in Yin deficiency with mild heat signs.

Category Yin-tonifying herbs (补阴药)
Therapeutic focus Eye Health and Vision Kidney Health Bone and Joint Health Fluid Balance

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān)

Channels entered

Liver, Kidneys

Parts used

Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Chu Shi Zi does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Chu Shi Zi is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Eye Health and Vision Kidney Health Bone and Joint Health Fluid Balance

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Chu Shi Zi performs to restore balance in the body:

Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin Clears Liver Heat and Brightens the Eyes Promotes Urination and Reduces Edema Strengthens the Sinews and Bones

How these actions work

'Tonifies the Liver and Kidney Yin' means Chu Shi Zi nourishes the Yin (the cooling, moistening aspect) of the Liver and Kidneys. This makes it useful for people with chronic low back weakness, sore knees, night sweats, or a feeling of heat in the bones (called 'steaming bone disorder' in TCM). Because it is sweet and cold, it replenishes depleted Yin fluids without generating internal heat.

'Clears the Liver and brightens the eyes' refers to the herb's ability to cool excess heat in the Liver channel that rises upward to affect vision. It is used for blurry vision, visual cloudiness (superficial eye obstructions), and dizziness caused by Liver heat or Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency. It can even be used as a single herb for eye problems caused by Liver heat.

'Promotes urination and reduces edema' means it helps the body clear excess fluid accumulation through the urinary system. Unlike harsh diuretics, this herb addresses the root Kidney deficiency that causes water metabolism to falter, making it especially suited for edema in people who also show signs of Kidney weakness such as lower back soreness and fatigue.

'Strengthens the sinews and bones' reflects its Kidney-nourishing action. In TCM, the Kidneys govern the bones and sinews, so by replenishing Kidney Yin and essence, the herb supports structural integrity and helps with weak or aching legs and knees.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Chu Shi Zi is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Chu Shi Zi addresses this pattern

Chu Shi Zi directly nourishes the Yin of both the Liver and Kidneys with its sweet, cold nature and its affinity for these two channels. When Liver and Kidney Yin is depleted, the body loses its cooling, moistening foundation, leading to heat signs such as steaming bone disorder, night sweats, and dizziness. The herb's sweet taste gently replenishes these depleted Yin fluids, while its cold temperature counteracts the deficiency heat that arises when Yin can no longer restrain Yang. Its Liver channel entry specifically helps restore the Liver's ability to store Blood and nourish the eyes, addressing the visual symptoms that accompany this pattern.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Lower Back Pain

Chronic soreness, weakness in the lumbar region due to Kidney Yin depletion

Dizziness

Lightheadedness from insufficient Yin and Blood rising to nourish the head

Blurry Vision

Eyes poorly nourished due to Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency

Night Sweats

Yin deficiency heat forcing fluids outward during sleep

Knee Pain

Weak, aching knees from Kidney failing to nourish bones

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Chu Shi Zi is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency Liver Heat

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, the eyes are considered to be the sensory opening of the Liver, and clear vision depends on adequate Liver Blood and Kidney Essence reaching upward to nourish them. When Liver and Kidney Yin is depleted over time (through aging, overwork, or chronic illness), the eyes lose their nourishment, leading to blurriness, floaters, or dimness. In other cases, heat can accumulate in the Liver channel and rise to the eyes, causing visual cloudiness or film-like obstructions. Both situations involve the Liver channel failing in its role of keeping the eyes clear and bright.

Why Chu Shi Zi Helps

Chu Shi Zi enters the Liver and Kidney channels and directly nourishes the Yin that these organs need to keep the eyes healthy. Its sweet, cold nature both replenishes depleted Yin fluids and cools any heat that may be disturbing the eyes. Classical texts record it being used as a standalone powder (Chu Shi San) specifically for superficial eye obstructions caused by Liver heat, demonstrating how targeted its eye-brightening action is. For chronic blurry vision from Yin deficiency, it is typically combined with other Liver-Kidney nourishing herbs like Gou Qi Zi (goji berry) and Shu Di Huang (prepared Rehmannia).

Also commonly used for

Lower Back Pain

Chronic aching from Kidney Yin deficiency

Dizziness

Lightheadedness from Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency

Night Sweats

From deficiency heat associated with Yin depletion

Knee Pain

Weak, sore knees from Kidney deficiency

Erectile Dysfunction

Associated with Kidney Yin and essence depletion

Spermatorrhea

Involuntary seminal emission from Kidney deficiency

Premature Aging

General early decline from Liver-Kidney Yin depletion

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān)

Channels Entered

Liver Kidneys

Parts Used

Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Chu Shi Zi — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

6-12g

Maximum dosage

Up to 15g in decoction for short-term use under practitioner supervision. Some classical pill and powder formulations used larger cumulative quantities processed with black bean juice or wine.

Dosage notes

Use the standard range of 6 to 9g for nourishing Liver and Kidney Yin, clearing Liver heat, and brightening the eyes. The upper range of 10 to 12g may be used for water swelling and edema. Because of its cold and moistening nature, prolonged use at higher doses may cause loose stools. Classical texts recommend combining it with Spleen-supporting herbs such as Fu Ling, Yi Yi Ren, or Shan Yao to prevent this side effect. Dry-fried Chu Shi Zi (炒楮实子) has reduced cold properties and is better tolerated by those with sensitive digestion. Can also be taken as a powder (ground and mixed with honey water) or made into pills.

Preparation

Crush (捣碎) the seeds before decocting to improve extraction of the oily constituents. No other special decoction handling is required.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Chu Shi Zi does

Processing method

The clean herb is placed in a dry-frying vessel and heated over a gentle flame until popping sounds are heard and a fragrant aroma emerges, then removed and cooled. Crushed before use.

How it changes properties

Dry-frying moderates the cold nature of the raw herb, making it less likely to injure the Spleen and Stomach. It also improves the extraction of active constituents during decoction. The reduction in cold nature makes the processed form more suitable for patients with underlying Spleen-Stomach weakness who cannot tolerate the raw herb's cold quality.

When to use this form

Use the dry-fried form for patients with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold who need Kidney Yin tonification but experience digestive discomfort with the raw herb. Also preferred for treating erectile dysfunction, where the raw herb's strong cold nature could be counterproductive.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Chu Shi Zi for enhanced therapeutic effect

Gou Qi Zi
Gou Qi Zi 1:1 to 1:3 (Chu Shi Zi : Gou Qi Zi)

Gou Qi Zi and Chu Shi Zi together strongly nourish both Liver and Kidney Yin while brightening the eyes. Gou Qi Zi is slightly warm and tonifies Kidney essence and Liver Blood, while Chu Shi Zi is cold and clears Liver heat. Together they balance warming and cooling, providing comprehensive Yin nourishment without being excessively cold or warm.

When to use: For Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency with blurry vision, dizziness, weak lower back, and early aging. A classical pairing recorded in the Ben Cao Hui Yan for Yin deficiency of the three organs (Liver, Kidney, Spleen) with eye symptoms.

Fu Ling
Fu Ling 1:3 (Chu Shi Zi : Fu Ling)

Chu Shi Zi tonifies the Kidney and promotes urination, while Fu Ling strengthens the Spleen and drains dampness. Together they address edema from both the Kidney and Spleen sides, providing a more complete approach to water metabolism problems.

When to use: For edema and abdominal distension in patients with Spleen-Kidney deficiency, particularly when there is reduced urination alongside fatigue and loose stools.

Tu Si Zi
Tu Si Zi 1:1

Both herbs tonify the Liver and Kidney, but Tu Si Zi is warm and mildly Yang-tonifying while Chu Shi Zi is cold and Yin-nourishing. Together they create a balanced supplementation of both Yin and Yang aspects of the Kidney, preventing either excess warmth or coldness.

When to use: For Kidney deficiency with both Yin and Yang aspects involved, such as weak lower back and knees, spermatorrhea, or blurry vision where the patient shows neither strongly hot nor strongly cold signs.

Du Zhong
Du Zhong 1:1

Du Zhong warms and strengthens the Kidney Yang, sinews, and bones, while Chu Shi Zi nourishes Kidney Yin and essence. Paired together, they address both the structural (bone and sinew) and the nourishing (Yin and essence) aspects of Kidney deficiency, creating stronger support for the lower back and knees.

When to use: For chronic lower back and knee weakness with soreness from Kidney deficiency, especially in aging patients or those with premature decline.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Chu Shi Zi in a prominent role

Huan Shao Dan 还少丹 Assistant

Huan Shao Dan (Return to Youth Pill) from Yang Shi Jia Cang Fang is the most famous formula containing Chu Shi Zi. It is a comprehensive Spleen-Kidney tonic for premature aging, memory decline, weak lower back, and sexual dysfunction. Chu Shi Zi serves as an assistant, contributing its Liver-Kidney Yin nourishing action alongside the formula's larger team of warming and tonifying herbs. This formula showcases how Chu Shi Zi's cold Yin-nourishing quality is balanced within a predominantly warming formulation.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Gou Qi Zi
Chu Shi Zi vs Gou Qi Zi

Both tonify the Liver and Kidneys and brighten the eyes. However, Gou Qi Zi is slightly warm and primarily nourishes Liver Blood and Kidney essence with a mild Yang-supporting quality, making it more suitable for general Yin-Yang deficiency. Chu Shi Zi is cold and has additional diuretic and heat-clearing actions, making it more appropriate when there is Yin deficiency with heat signs or when edema is present. Gou Qi Zi is significantly more commonly used and is considered a stronger Yin tonic overall.

Nu Zhen Zi
Chu Shi Zi vs Nu Zhen Zi

Both are cold, sweet herbs that nourish Liver and Kidney Yin and brighten the eyes. Nu Zhen Zi (Ligustrum fruit) has a stronger reputation for addressing premature graying of hair and cooling deficiency heat, while Chu Shi Zi has a more notable diuretic action for edema. For pure Yin deficiency with heat signs and hair graying, Nu Zhen Zi is often preferred; for Yin deficiency with concurrent fluid retention, Chu Shi Zi is more appropriate.

Tu Si Zi
Chu Shi Zi vs Tu Si Zi

Both tonify the Kidney and brighten the eyes, but their thermal natures are opposite. Tu Si Zi is warm and gently tonifies Kidney Yang and essence with an astringent quality that helps with spermatorrhea and frequent urination. Chu Shi Zi is cold and tonifies Kidney Yin while promoting urination. For Kidney deficiency with cold signs (cold limbs, clear copious urine), Tu Si Zi is preferred; for Kidney deficiency with heat signs (night sweats, warm palms, scanty dark urine), Chu Shi Zi is more suitable.

Identity & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Chu Shi Zi

Chu Shi Zi may be adulterated with the seeds of Shan Hong Bai Zi (山红稗子), the seeds of Carex baccans Nees, a sedge plant from the Cyperaceae family. The adulterant seeds are larger and lack the characteristic reddish-brown color and net-like surface wrinkles of authentic Chu Shi Zi. Authentic Chu Shi Zi should have the distinctive oily white endosperm when crushed, a grooved and ridged surface, and occasional remnants of the grayish membranous calyx. The tree itself can be confused with white mulberry (Morus alba) or red mulberry (Morus rubra) due to similar leaf shapes, but the spherical aggregate fruit of Paper Mulberry is distinctly different from the elongated mulberry fruit.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Chu Shi Zi

Non-toxic

Chu Shi Zi is classified as non-toxic (无毒) in classical texts and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It contains saponins, alkaloids (including liriodenine and dihydrosanguinarine), fatty acids, and vitamins. The main concern with extended use is not toxicity but rather its cold and moistening nature, which may cause loose stools or digestive upset in people with weak Spleen and Stomach function. Classical authors recommended combining it with Fu Ling, Yi Yi Ren, or Shan Yao to counteract this tendency. No serious toxic reactions have been reported at standard dosages.

Contraindications

Situations where Chu Shi Zi should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold (脾胃虚寒): Chu Shi Zi is sweet and cold in nature. People with cold-type digestive weakness, loose stools, or diarrhea should avoid it, as it can further cool and weaken the Spleen and Stomach, worsening symptoms.

Caution

Existing diarrhea or loose stools: Classical texts note that prolonged use can cause 'slippery intestines' (滑肠), meaning it may loosen the bowels due to its moistening, oily nature. Those already prone to diarrhea should use it cautiously.

Caution

Kidney Yang deficiency without Yin deficiency: As a cold, Yin-nourishing herb, it is not suitable for patterns of pure Yang deficiency with cold signs (cold limbs, clear copious urine, pale tongue). Classical sources emphasize it supplements Kidney Yin, not Kidney Yang.

Caution

Pregnancy: The Ben Cao Gang Mu notes that Chu Shi Zi may 'provoke wind and stir illness' (发风动疾). It should be avoided during pregnancy as a precaution.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Generally considered cautioned during pregnancy. The Ben Cao Gang Mu notes that Chu Shi Zi can 'provoke wind and stir illness' (发风动疾). While it is not strongly contraindicated like uterine-stimulating herbs, its cold nature and potential to loosen the bowels make it inadvisable during pregnancy without specific clinical justification and practitioner supervision.

Breastfeeding

No specific classical or modern contraindications for breastfeeding have been established. However, given its cold nature, nursing mothers with weak digestion or cold constitution should use it cautiously, as it could theoretically affect digestion and nutrient absorption. Consult a qualified practitioner before use during breastfeeding.

Children

No specific classical pediatric dosage guidelines exist. For children, dosage should be reduced proportionally based on age and body weight, generally to one-third to one-half the adult dose. Given its cold nature, it should be used cautiously in children with weak digestive function. Classical texts mention its use in children for treating eye conditions (目生翳膜), suggesting historical pediatric application at appropriate doses.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Chu Shi Zi

No well-documented pharmaceutical drug interactions have been established for Chu Shi Zi in modern clinical literature. However, theoretical cautions apply:

  • Diuretic medications: Chu Shi Zi has diuretic properties that could potentially add to the effects of pharmaceutical diuretics, increasing the risk of electrolyte imbalance or dehydration.
  • Hypoglycemic agents: Preclinical research has shown that polyphenols from Broussonetia papyrifera have potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Those taking anti-diabetic medications should be monitored for additive blood sugar-lowering effects.

Due to the lack of clinical trials specifically on Chu Shi Zi drug interactions, people taking any prescription medications should consult their healthcare provider before use.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Chu Shi Zi

Avoid cold, raw, and greasy foods while taking Chu Shi Zi, as these can further burden the Spleen and Stomach and aggravate the herb's tendency to loosen the bowels. Warm, easily digestible foods are preferred. Classical sources suggest pairing with foods or herbs that support digestion (such as congee with Fu Ling or Shan Yao) when using this herb over extended periods.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Chu Shi Zi source plant

Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent., commonly known as Paper Mulberry (构树, Gòu Shù), is a fast-growing deciduous tree in the Moraceae (mulberry) family, typically reaching 10 to 20 metres in height. It is native to East and Southeast Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea. The tree is dioecious (separate male and female plants). The leaves are highly variable in shape, even on the same branch: they may be unlobed and broadly ovate or deeply lobed with three to five lobes, with a rough upper surface and a soft, downy underside, growing up to 15 to 20 cm long.

Male flowers form pendulous catkins up to 8 cm long, while female flowers appear in distinctive spherical heads about 2 cm wide with long purple styles. When pollinated, the female flowers develop into a globular aggregate fruit (2 to 3 cm diameter) that ripens from green to orange-red, with each small drupe protruding outward. The tree produces a sticky white latex when the bark is cut, characteristic of the Moraceae family. It thrives in diverse conditions, tolerates drought and poor soils, and is considered an invasive species in many regions outside its native range.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Chu Shi Zi is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Autumn (August to October), when the aggregate fruits are fully mature and have turned orange-red.

Primary growing regions

Primarily produced in Henan (河南), Hubei (湖北), Hunan (湖南), Shanxi (山西), and Gansu (甘肃) provinces. Also produced in Zhejiang, Fujian, Anhui, Sichuan, Shandong, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, and Guangxi. The Paper Mulberry tree grows widely across most of China and is both wild-harvested and cultivated. There is no single strongly defined 'dao di' terroir region, but Henan and Hubei are considered traditional major production areas.

Quality indicators

Good quality Chu Shi Zi fruits are slightly spherical or oval-shaped, slightly flattened, about 1.5 mm in diameter. The surface should be a bright reddish-brown color with fine net-like wrinkles or granular protrusions. One side has a ridge and the other side has a groove. The endosperm inside should be whitish and visibly oily when pressed. The texture is hard and brittle, easily crushed. It should have little to no odor and a bland taste with a slight oiliness. The best quality is described classically as: 'color red, seeds mature, free of impurities' (以色红、子老、无杂质者为佳). Avoid batches that are dull brown, excessively broken, or mixed with the grayish membranous persistent calyx.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Chu Shi Zi and its therapeutic uses

Ming Yi Bie Lu (名医别录)

Original: 主阴痿水肿，益气，充肌肤，明目。

Translation: "Treats impotence and water swelling, boosts Qi, fills out the flesh and skin, and brightens the eyes."

Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao (日华子本草)

Original: 壮筋骨，助阳气，补虚劳，助腰膝，益颜色。

Translation: "Strengthens sinews and bones, assists Yang Qi, supplements deficiency taxation, supports the lower back and knees, and improves complexion."

Ben Cao Xin Bian (本草新编) by Chen Shiduo

Original: 此物补阴妙品，益髓神膏。世人弃而不用者，因久服滑肠之语也。

Translation: "This substance is a marvelous Yin-supplementing item, a divine paste that nourishes the marrow. People abandon it because of warnings that prolonged use causes slippery intestines."

Ben Cao Qiu Zhen (本草求真)

Original: 楮实专入肾…虽于诸脏阴血有补，得此颜色润，筋骨壮，腰膝健，肌肉充，水肿消…是明指其阳旺阴弱，得此阴血有补，故能使阳不胜而助，非云阳痿由于阳衰，得此可以助阳也。

Translation: "Chu Shi Zi enters the Kidney specifically... Although it supplements the Yin and Blood of all the organs, making the complexion moist, the sinews and bones strong, the lower back and knees healthy, and reducing water swelling... this clearly means that when Yang is overactive and Yin is weak, supplementing Yin and Blood with this herb allows Yang to no longer dominate. It does not mean that impotence caused by Yang deficiency can be treated by this herb."

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Chu Shi Zi's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Chu Shi Zi has a long history in Chinese medicine. It was first recorded in the Ming Yi Bie Lu (名医别录, Supplementary Records of Famous Physicians), where it was classified as a superior-grade herb. The tree itself, called Gu (穀) or Chu (楮), appears in the Shi Jing (Book of Songs) and the Shuo Wen Jie Zi (说文解字), reflecting its deep cultural roots. The tree was historically valued for papermaking (hence the English name "Paper Mulberry"), and its bark fibers were used to produce cloth and rope across East Asia and the Pacific Islands.

A famous debate surrounds this herb: early texts praised it as a longevity tonic, yet the Xiu Zhen Mi Zhi (修真秘旨) warned that prolonged use could cause "bone-softening disease" (骨软). Li Shizhen addressed this controversy in the Ben Cao Gang Mu, referencing a story from the Nan Tang Shu (History of Southern Tang) about physician Wu Tingshao who used Chu Shi Zi soup to cure a royal case of throat obstruction. Li Shizhen argued this demonstrated its ability to soften obstructions from phlegm caused by sweet and greasy foods, not actual bone-softening. The herb is a key ingredient in the classical formula Huan Shao Dan (还少丹), a renowned anti-aging prescription from Yang Tan's Yang Shi Jia Cang Fang.

Classical processing methods evolved from wine-steaming in the Liu Song dynasty (as described in Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun) through various wine-soaking, dry-frying, and steaming methods in subsequent dynasties. Wine processing was favored historically because it was thought to temper the herb's cold nature and prevent digestive side effects while enhancing its ability to circulate through the channels.

Modern Research

5 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Chu Shi Zi

1

Antioxidant Lignans from the Fruits of Broussonetia papyrifera (Phytochemistry study, 2009)

Pang SQ, Wang GQ, Lin JS, Diao Y, Xu RA. Journal of Natural Products, 2009, 72(6), 1146-1149.

Researchers isolated nine new lignans (named chushizisins A through I) plus three known lignans from Chu Shi Zi fruits. Several of these compounds showed antioxidant activity, protecting PC12 nerve cells against hydrogen peroxide damage and scavenging DPPH free radicals in laboratory tests.

PubMed
2

Extraction, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Broussonetia papyrifera Fruits Polysaccharides (Preclinical study, 2016)

Han Q, Wu Z, Huang B, Sun L, Ding C, Yuan S, Zhang Z, Chen Y, Hu C, Zhou L, Liu J, Huang Y, Liao J, Yuan M. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2016, 92, 116-124.

Polysaccharides extracted from the fruits of B. papyrifera were shown to have antioxidant properties (scavenging hydroxyl radicals and reducing ferric iron) and antibacterial activity. The polysaccharides were primarily composed of glucose, mannose, and arabinose.

PubMed
3

Cytotoxic Activity of the Alkaloids from Broussonetia papyrifera Fruits (Preclinical study, 2014)

Li J, Chen RM, Wang C, Liu Y, Hu LH, Chen YG. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2014.

Seven isoquinoline alkaloids were isolated from B. papyrifera fruits, including two compounds isolated from this plant for the first time. The alkaloids showed cytotoxic (anti-cancer cell) activity with identifiable structure-activity relationships, suggesting potential as anti-cancer candidates.

PubMed
4

The Genus Broussonetia: An Updated Review of Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Applications (Review, 2022)

Chen Y, Wang L, Liu X, Wang F, An Y, Zhao W, Tian J, Kong D, Zhang W, Xu Y, Ba Y, Zhou H. Molecules, 2022, 27(16), 5344.

A comprehensive review documenting 338 compounds isolated from Broussonetia species, including 144 flavonoids, 50 phenylpropanoids, 38 polyphenols, and 35 alkaloids. Demonstrated pharmacological activities include anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.

PubMed
5

Evaluation of Polyphenols from Broussonetia papyrifera as Coronavirus Protease Inhibitors (Preclinical study, 2017)

Park JY, Yuk HJ, Ryu HW, Lim SH, Kim KS, Park KH, Ryu YB, Lee WS. Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry, 2017, 32(1), 504-512.

Polyphenols derived from B. papyrifera were tested against coronavirus cysteine proteases (SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV). One compound showed potent inhibition of the papain-like protease with an IC50 of 3.7 micromolar, suggesting these plant compounds as potential candidates for antiviral drug development.

PubMed

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.