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Journal Title Abbrev.
J. Elem.
ISSN – 1644-2296
DOI: 10.5601

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Supplementation with Morus alba L. leaves alters hematological parameters and reduces spleen antioxidant capacity in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Issue: 2/2026

Recevied: December 20, 2025

Accepted: February 13, 2026

Published: February 15, 2026

Authors:

A. Gryn-Rynko, L. Gromadziński, A. Chrustek, M. Majewski

Categories: Medicine and veterinary, Food science

DOI: 10.5601/jelem.2025.30.4.3710

Abstract:

White mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves are traditionally used to support glycemic control in diabetic and prediabetic individuals; however, their physiological effects in the context of hypertension remain poorly defined. This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with dried, powdered mulberry leaves (ML) on hematological indices and splenic redox biomarkers in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Middle–aged male SHRs (n = 10 rats) were fed either standard rat chow or chow supplemented with dried ML (7% w/w; ~4.0 g kg-1 body weight) for eight weeks. Hematological parameters were assessed from the whole blood, and antioxidant and inflammatory markers in spleen homogenates were quantified. ML supplementation increased hematocrit (HCT; 1.05–fold, p = 0.0206), mean corpuscular volume (MCV; 1.01–fold, p = 0.0013), and total white blood cell count (WBC; 1.56–fold, p = 0.0128), while decreasing mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC; 0.99–fold, p = 0.0192). In splenic tissue, DPPH scavenging activity and protein levels of PTGS1, NOS2, NOS3, HO–1, and GAPDH remained unchanged, whereas ferric–reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was significantly reduced (0.75–fold, p = 0.0014). No significant alterations were observed in body weight change (p = 0.999), feed consumption (p = 0.676), or relative spleen weights (p = 0.798). Dietary dried, powdered ML supplementation elicits measurable alterations in hematological parameters and attenuates splenic antioxidant capacity in SHRs, indicating that ML may modulate hematological parameters and spleen redox homeostasis in hypertension.

Citation:

JELEM / HARVARD

quote-mark
Gryn-Rynko, A., Gromadziński, L., Chrustek, A. and Majewski, M. (2026) 'Supplementation with Morus alba L. leaves alters hematological parameters and reduces spleen antioxidant capacity in spontaneously hypertensive rats', Journal of Elementology, 31(2), , available: https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2025.30.4.3710

MDPI

quote-mark
Gryn-Rynko, A.; Gromadziński, L.; Chrustek, A.; Majewski, M. Supplementation with Morus alba L. leaves alters hematological parameters and reduces spleen antioxidant capacity in spontaneously hypertensive rats. J. Elem. 2026, 31, 2, . https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2025.30.4.3710

AMA

quote-mark
Gryn-Rynko A, Gromadziński L, Chrustek A, Majewski M. Supplementation with Morus alba L. leaves alters hematological parameters and reduces spleen antioxidant capacity in spontaneously hypertensive rats. J. Elem. 2026;31(2):. https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2025.30.4.3710

CHICAGO

quote-mark
Gryn-Rynko Anna, Gromadziński Leszek, Chrustek Agnieszka, Majewski Michał. 2026. "Supplementation with Morus alba L. leaves alters hematological parameters and reduces spleen antioxidant capacity in spontaneously hypertensive rats" J. Elem. 31, no.2: . https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2025.30.4.3710



Keywords:

alkaloids, flavonoids, hematological parameters, oxidative stress, RBC morphology

About issue:

31.2.2026
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