Abstract
Morus L., a multipurpose agro-forestry plant, belongs to tribe Moreae (family Moraceae), has high economical and medicinal values. There are a lot of conflictions regarding the number of Morus spp. as a result of producing new varieties and hybrid individuals. Macro & micromorphological characters viz. whole plant, ab- & adaxial lamina epidermis using SEM, lamina & petiole anatomy, phytochemical screening and quantitative analysis of the polyphenol and flavonoid contents of seven Morus taxa were investigated as well as the survey of polyphenols and flavonoids qualitatively in M. alba, M. macroura and M. nigra using HPLC analysis. The biological studies carried on one selected taxon M. alba (as it is the most prominent of these species). The specific objective of the present study is to throw light on the morpho-anatomical characters of Morus spp. in delamination among them, to screen the phytochemical constituents of aerial parts and fruits as well as to study the in vitro anti-oxidant, cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activities of M. alba. The obtained results highlighted that the macro & micromorphological characters were considered diagnostic at specific level viz. fruit size and color, lamina size, shape, margin, apex, base and leaf type, outline of petiole, ground system, aspect and number of vascular bundles, crystals types and phytoliths’ shapes and sizes. The results of UV spectrophotometric analysis indicated that M. nigra cv. Al-taify had the highest content of flavonoids and polyphenols. The polar extract of M. alba showed potential inhibitory effect of induced inflammation and considerable effect on scavenging of free radicals and showed mild growth inhibition of cancer cell lines.

Key words: Morus, biological activities, macro & micro-morphology, phytochemical constituents.