More On Mulberry Gout Cures

Mulberry is one of the main sources of morin, one of many potential natural gout cures.

I first looked at morin 5 years ago when I added it to the gout cures guidelines. Morin was first found in members of the Moraceae family that includes mulberry and figs. White mulberry has been a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. As well as a traditional gout cure, researchers have looked at the benefits of morin for other diseases, including high blood pressure.

As part of my wider research, I have tried to evaluate food sources of morin. Apparently, it is widely available, but I can find no definitive list of measured sources. I have found the following sources, in no particular order:

mulberry
fig
almond
sweet chestnut
onion
apple
guava leaves

One report that is not gout-related notes:

Morin (3,5,7,2?,4?-pentahydroxyflavone, a natural bioflavonoid, and a major component of traditional medicinal herbs was originally isolated from members of the Moraceae family and is a constituent of many herbs, fruits, and wine. Previous researchers have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative effects of morin in vivo and in vitro. Morin is a member of the flavonoid family which is found in almond (Prunus dulcis), fig (Chlorophora tinctoria) and other Moraceae family plants extensively used as food and traditional herbal medicine. Morin is also found in Psidium guajava (Indian guava). Guava is traditionally considered to be an effective antidiabetic plant with known antioxidant properties.

I have not included the wine reference in my list, as another study claims morin is not present in wine (but note that there is a significant variation of flavonoids in wine).

If you know a more comprehensive list of morin sources, please share them in the gout forum.

Mulberry Gout Cures Study

In addition to the earlier mulberry research mentioned in gout cures guidelines, I have found a more recent study that confirms morin has uric acid lowering properties.

Unfortunately, Morin improves urate excretion and kidney function through regulation of renal organic ion transporters in hyperuricemic mice is still restricted to artificial gout in mice. Hopefully, we will see some human research on genuine gout patients soon.

Despite the disappointment that we are no nearer adding to the available list of natural gout cures, this report does confirm that morin reduces uric acid.