mulberry twig total alkaloids

Mulberry twig total alkaloids (SZ-A) is a first-in-class botanical drug developed by Beijing Wehand-Vio Pharmaceutical and the Institute of Materia Medica of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Approved by the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in 2020 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, it is a purified alkaloid extract derived from the twigs of *Morus alba* L. (mulberry). The drug contains a group of polyhydroxyalkaloids, including 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), fagomine, and 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-arabinitol (DAB), which function as potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. By competitively inhibiting these enzymes in the brush border of the small intestine, SZ-A delays the breakdown of starch and disaccharides into glucose, thereby reducing postprandial glycemic excursions. Clinical studies have demonstrated efficacy comparable to acarbose with a potentially improved gastrointestinal safety profile.

Brand names

Sangzhi Zongjianshu

Other names

Mulberry twig alkaloidsRamulus Mori alkaloidsSangzhi total alkaloidsSangzhi Zongjianshu Tablets