Mulberry moracins: Scavengers of UV stress-generated free radicals

Mulberry leaves treated with UV-C were found to accumulate three different phytoalexins, moracin C, moracin N, and chalcomoracin, The increased level of malondialdehyde in UV-treated leaves along with moracins suggested their role as a free-radical scavenger in stressed plants. All the three moracin s induced under UV stress were capable of scavenging the superoxide anion g enerated by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. Also, moracins were capab le of inhibiting lipid peroxidation, which strongly indicates their role as a scavenger.