TECHNOLOGICAL PROSPECTION OF Morus nigra L.

This study aimed to analyze the innovative potential of the medicinal plant Morus nigra L. from the number of patents filed in databases European Patent Office (EPO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the National Institute of Industrial Property of Brazil (INPI). The Morus nigra L. is popularly known as "black mulberry", being widely used for the treatment of diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular problems and gout. The survey was conducted using as descriptors the terms: 'Morus nigra", "medicament" or "medicamento" and "food supplement" or "suplemento alimentar". The results showed a large number of documents involving the term "Morus nigra", especially for the World Intellectual Property Organization (24) compared to European Patent Office (23) and the INPI (4). However, combining the descriptors "Morus nigra and medicament" this number decreased (WIPO 8; EPO 3; INPI 0). Considering the data collected, it was found that the World Intellectual Property Organization is the largest holder of many patents, especially for deposits in the subclasses of the International Patent Classification A61K and A61P, in both technological banks. Morus nigra present innovative potential considering the pharmacological activities attributed to this species and patents deposited until now in WIPO, EPO and INPI.