■ Features of Cosmetic Ingredients Derived from "Mulberry Beard Root" and "Mulberry Leaves" Grown in Special Hydroponic Cultivation: Summarizing Their Unique Characteristics as Natural Materials, Including Differences from Conventional Products.

❶ Mulberry Beard Root Extract from Special Hydroponic Cultivation
(This differs from standard mulberry root bark extract)

✅ Features (Benefits)

Originates from a different part than conventional "mulberry root bark (桑白皮)."
→ Derived from the highly metabolically active beard roots (root hairs), resulting in a significantly different chemical composition compared to root bark.

Stress-controlled hydroponic cultivation leads to high concentrations of unique secondary metabolites.
Example: Accumulation of prenylated flavonoids and lipophilic phenols is anticipated.

Contains high levels of lipophilic antioxidant components (non-polar polyphenols):
→ Beneficial for moisture retention, strengthening skin barrier function, and providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

As a rare, natural ingredient, it allows differentiation by promoting whitening and anti-aging benefits.
Potentially features a non-standard tyrosinase inhibition pathway that doesn't rely on arbutin.
Enables a fundamental approach to skin aging factors like glycation, oxidation, and inflammation.

❷ Mulberry Leaf Powder from Special Hydroponic Cultivation
(= Differs from standard mulberry leaves, with high deoxynojirimycin content)

✅ Features (Benefits)

Characterized by higher deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) content than typical mulberry leaves.
→ DNJ exhibits α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, making it extremely useful for defending against glycation stress (anti-AGEs).

Provides evidence-based solutions for concerns like skin yellowing/dullness, loss of elasticity, and glycation-related pores.
Hydroponic cultivation minimizes pesticide risks, aligning with clean beauty preferences.
Likely concentrates functional phytochemicals such as chlorophyll, lutein, and chlorogenic acid.
Enables a fundamental approach to skin aging factors like glycation, oxidation, and inflammation.

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■ Green Tea Leaf Powder (= Camellia sinensis Leaf Powder) has long been used as a cosmetic ingredient, highly valued for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as a plant-based material. Below is a summary of its features.

✅ Features (Benefits)

Powerful Antioxidant Effects (Catechins)
→ Key components like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) inhibit UV-induced oxidative stress and skin aging.
→ Removes free radicals (reactive oxygen species), preventing skin redness, inflammation, and wrinkle formation.

Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Effects
→ Catechins demonstrate antibacterial activity against acne-causing bacteria and Malassezia, effective for acne, scalp inflammation, and body breakouts.
→ Tannin components provide astringent effects, tightening pores.

Sebum Control
→ Contains ingredients that suppress sebum production, suitable for oily or adolescent skin care.
→ Particularly valued in facial cleansers and powdered cosmetics.

Natural and Safe Image
→ As a material commonly used in food, it conveys a sense of reassurance and supports clean beauty claims.
→ Aligns with SDGs and organic preferences.

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■ Summarizing the Features (Benefits) of Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, and Peppermint Oil as Cosmetic Ingredients.

❶ Olive Oil

✅ Features (Benefits)

Main Component: Oleic Acid (about 70-80%)
→ High affinity with sebum, offering excellent skin absorption.

Contains antioxidants like vitamin E and polyphenols.
Provides strong moisturizing effects, ideal for dry skin care.
Historically established safety with relatively few allergy reports.
Also used as a soap base.

❷ Coconut Oil

✅ Features (Benefits)

Primarily medium-chain fatty acids (lauric acid, caprylic acid, etc.) with antibacterial and antiviral properties.
High antioxidant capacity and excellent oxidative stability (great for long-term storage).
Enhances foaming in soaps and cleansers (rich lather).
Supports skin moisture retention and barrier strengthening.

❸ Palm Oil

✅ Features (Benefits)
Balanced fatty acid composition with palmitic and oleic acids as main components.
Affordable and highly stable, versatile for soaps, emulsifiers, and cream bases.
Contains tocotrienols (vitamin E group) as antioxidants.
Imparts foaming, firmness, and preservability to soaps, making it suitable for cleansing products.

❹ Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil serves as a supportive ingredient for sensory and usability enhancement in combinations.
Potential Synergistic Effects: The cooling sensation from mint may adjust skin surface perception and temporarily alleviate mild inflammation from glycation.

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Morela Corporation, the developer of Sarahada Pure Soap, has been collaborating with pharmaceutical universities since the early stages of development.

As a result, the company is renowned for creating products backed by solid pharmaceutical evidence.This innovative cosmetic ingredient features an abundance of lipophilic polyphenols that deeply penetrate the skin—unlike conventional water-soluble polyphenols—and maintains stable content regardless of harvest timing, making it highly versatile for use in cosmetics and similar products.
This new cosmetic material is the world's only one successfully cultivated by Morela: 'Mulberry Beard Root Extract' (also known as 'Sarakuwane Extract'), derived from the beard roots of a unique mulberry variety called Sara Mulberry.
Research from pharmaceutical universities has revealed that its component composition is entirely different from traditional "mulberry root bark" (桑白皮) extracts.

The purposes of incorporating 'Mulberry Beard Root Extract' have been publicly disclosed as follows:
☑︎ Antibacterial agent... Helps block odors effectively
☑︎ Antioxidant... Supports anti-aging
☑︎ Keratin softener... Provides moisturization
☑︎ Skin bleaching agent... Promotes whitening
☑︎ Skin protectant... Shields skin from inflammation

For detailed information, including the evidence behind these purposes, please check the database site for cosmetic technicians, Cosmetic-Info.jp, where you can search for display names, raw materials, and formulation examples:
https://www.cosmetic-info.jp/jcln/detail.php?id=16427

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Since its inception, Morela Corporation has conducted joint research with the Department of Applied Life Sciences at Niigata University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Sciences.
This collaboration has academically highlighted various unique characteristics that set it apart from conventional mulberry varieties.


Niigata University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Sciences, Department of Applied Life Sciences
Research Content
Basic Research

2016: Anti-obesity effects of hydroponically cultivated mulberry in high-fat, high-sucrose-fed rats
2017: Study on additive and synergistic effects from combinations of foods with anti-metabolic syndrome functions
2016: Anti-obesity effects of hydroponically cultivated mulberry in high-fat, high-sucrose-fed rats
2018: Comparative study on functionality and components between dried roots of hydroponically cultivated mulberry and mulberry root bark

2019~: Analysis of varietal differences in mulberry through polyphenol profiling Papers
2021: "Characteristics of Morus alba L Cultured by In-Room Hydroponics" by Tetsuya Konishi, published in American Journal of Plant Sciences
https://www.1198.co.jp/assets/images/ajps_2022012514593712.pdf
2024: "The Synergistic Enhancement of Anti-Metabolic Diseases Function of Morus alba with the Combination of Cha (Camellia sinensis)" by Tetsuya Konishi, published in Current Nutraceuticals by Bentham Publishing

University of Yamanashi Faculty of Medicine (Immunology)
Research Content
Study on the anti-inflammatory effects of Sara Mulberry polyphenols

Shinshu University Faculty of Textile Science and Technology
Research Content
Ongoing investigation of functional components by mulberry variety (DNA) and tissue culture
Planned research on Sara Mulberry sericulture and pupae

The Unique and Essential Functions of Sara-Kuwa

November 23, 2022
Professor Tetsuya Konishi
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Niigata University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Sciences


"Why is Sara-Kuwa exceptionally valuable as a cosmetic ingredient?"

The answer lies in its rich content of Sara-Kuwa polyphenols, particularly oxyresveratrol and its glycosides, which constitute the core bioactive components.
Oxyresveratrol is a powerful molecule with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These activities play a fundamental role in suppressing cellular damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation—key drivers of aging.
Such mechanisms are deeply involved not only in skin aging, but also in immune function, cancer prevention, and neurodegenerative disorders such as cognitive decline. For this reason, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions are considered essential requirements for both functional foods and advanced cosmetic ingredients.

"Oxyresveratrol: a rare and biologically significant polyphenol"

Oxyresveratrol has been identified in mulberry twigs and roots, and also in certain woody plants of the Moraceae family such as Artocarpus species. This suggests that oxyresveratrol may be regarded as a characteristic compound of mulberry-related species.
In addition, it has been detected in limited plant species from families such as Gnetaceae, Fagaceae, Salicaceae, Orchidaceae, and others—many of which have long been used as medicinal plants in traditional folk medicine.


"A compound supported by extensive scientific research"

A PubMed search (as of November 2022) yields over 260 published studies on oxyresveratrol. Reported biological activities include:

☑︎ Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects
☑︎ Hepatic and renal protective effects
☑︎ Prevention and improvement of cognitive impairment
☑︎ Enhancement of insulin sensitivity and anti-diabetic effects
☑︎ Suppression of adipocyte differentiation

☑︎ Anti-tumor and anti-carcinogenic activity
☑︎ Neuroprotective effects
☑︎ Antifungal and antiviral activity
☑︎ Tyrosinase inhibition and melanin suppression
☑︎ Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging
☑︎ Suppression of CYP1B1 expression
☑︎ Cyclooxygenase inhibition
☑︎ Microglial activation suppression
☑︎ AGE (advanced glycation end-products) formation inhibition
☑︎ DNA damage protection
☑︎ Strengthening of cell–cell junctions
☑︎ Inhibition of lens protein modification (anti-cataract potential)
☑︎ Suppression of leukocyte migration
☑︎ Antibacterial activity against skin pathogens
☑︎ Promotion of skin regeneration and wound repair
☑︎ Inhibition of cancer metastasis and angiogenesis
☑︎ NASH prevention
☑︎ Thermogenesis and autophagy activation
☑︎ Phytoestrogen-like activity
☑︎ Apoptosis induction
☑︎ Suppression of allergic airway inflammation
☑︎ Protection against skin viral infections
☑︎ Suppression of ulcerative colitis
☑︎ UCP1 induction and energy metabolism regulation

☑︎ Suppression of skin MMP-1 expression
These findings position oxyresveratrol as a highly promising multifunctional botanical biofactor for functional foods, pharmaceutical leads, and cosmetic applications.



"Exceptional relevance to skin protection and regeneration"

Beyond its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory core actions, oxyresveratrol demonstrates:
☑︎ Suppression of macrophage activation and leukocyte migration
☑︎ Modulation of immune and allergic responses
☑︎ Inhibition of tyrosinase activity linked to hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and freckles
☑︎ Suppression of melanin production
☑︎ Inhibition of MMP-1 expression related to skin sagging and wrinkle formation
☑︎ Inhibition of AGE formation (glycation-related aging)
☑︎ Protection and repair of DNA damage
☑︎ Promotion of tissue repair and skin regeneration
☑︎ Activation of autophagy
☑︎ Regulation of apoptosis
☑︎ Strengthening of intercellular adhesion
☑︎ Antibacterial activity against acne-related skin bacteria

These multifaceted actions clearly demonstrate why oxyresveratrol possesses exceptionally high potential as a next-generation cosmetic ingredient.


"Why Sara-Kuwa extract is truly unique"

Sara-Kuwa extract is rich in oxyresveratrol derivatives as its primary active components, and additionally contains lipophilic polyphenols such as kuwanon and morusin, which act synergistically with oxyresveratrol.

This rare combination gives Sara-Kuwa extract a level of functional superiority and safety that is difficult to find in conventional cosmetic raw materials.


"Outstanding advantages of lipophilic polyphenols"
(Functions largely absent from conventional cosmetic ingredients)

1. Superior skin penetration
Due to their lipophilic nature, these compounds pass more easily through the stratum corneum lipid barrier, allowing active ingredients to reach the dermis efficiently.

This enables deep antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and collagen-protective effects that are difficult to achieve with water-soluble polyphenols.

2. High affinity for skin lipids and inhibition of lipid oxidation
Lipophilic polyphenols readily integrate into skin lipids and suppress lipid peroxidation.
This is particularly important for preventing pore enlargement, blackheads, and rough skin, areas where hydrophilic antioxidants are less effective.

3. Long-lasting antioxidant protection
These compounds tend to remain within the skin layers and are less easily washed away, resulting in sustained antioxidant defense throughout daily exposure to environmental stressors such as UV radiation and air pollution.


"Limitations"

1. Formulation challenges
Because of their lipophilicity, advanced emulsification and stabilization technologies are required.

2. Higher production cost

Extraction, purification, and stabilization processes are complex, often resulting in higher manufacturing costs and premium pricing.


"Conclusion"

Despite these challenges, Sara-Kuwa extract represents a rare, scientifically substantiated, and highly functional botanical ingredient, offering cosmetic performance that goes far beyond conventional plant extracts.
It is precisely this depth of biological functionality that positions Sara-Kuwa as a true next-generation ingredient for advanced skincare formulations.