The Amazing Health Benefits of Morinda Citrifolia (Noni)

Morinda citrifolia or Noni is a fruit-bearing tree commonly known as Indian mulberry, beach mulberry, and cheese fruit and belongs to the Rubiaceae family. It is native to Southeast Asia, spread across the Pacific by Polynesian sailors, and is now cultivated throughout the tropics. Among Austronesian people, Morinda citrifolia was traditionally used primarily to produce dyes. It remains a staple food in many cultures and has been used as a general tonic in traditional medicine. Morinda citrifolia is sometimes called a 'starvation fruit,' implying that despite its strong smell and bitter taste, it was used by indigenous peoples as emergency food during times of famine.

Nutrients and Phytochemicals

Morinda citrifolia fruit contains several phytochemicals, including lignans, oligo- and polysaccharides, flavonoids, iridoids, fatty acids, scopoletin, catechin, beta-sitosterol, damnacanthal, and alkaloids. It also contains carbohydrates and dietary fibre in moderate amounts. The main micronutrients of Morinda citrifolia include vitamin C, Vitamin A, niacin (vitamin B3), iron, and potassium. Sodium and calcium are present in moderate amounts.

Morinda citrifolia has been used widely as an alternative and complementary therapy in many countries due to its potent antioxidant activity and proven health benefits. Traditionally, it is used as an antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, analgesic, antitumour, anti-inflammatory, antihelminthic, and immune-enhancing agent. It has proved beneficial in diseases like diabetes, gastritis, skin diseases, respiratory infections, menstrual and urinary tract disorders, fever, and venereal diseases. All parts of the Morinda citrifolia plant, including root, stem, bark, leaves, flowers, and fruits, are used as medicine.

Biological Activities of Morinda Citrifolia Fruit

Morinda citrifolia is used in the traditional treatment of several ailments and is a plant with broad nutraceutical and therapeutic effects. The antibacterial activity of Morinda citrifolia is due to secondary metabolites, including polyphenols, mucilage, and terpenoids. Morinda citrifolia fruit juices inhibit the growth of many bacteria, including Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, and Escherichia coli. The antioxidant activity of Morinda citrifolia fruit juices is higher than that of ascorbic acid.

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Morinda Citrifolia

'The Tree for Headaches' or 'The Painkiller Tree' is a nickname of Morinda citrifolia. It is used to treat painful inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis. Morinda citrifolia fruit reduces the pain sensitivity comparable to the central analgesic drug tramadol and hydrocortisone. The findings suggest that Morinda citrifolia effectively decreases pain and joint destruction caused by arthritis. It also has therapeutic effects on gout. Morinda citrifolia ameliorates gout and gout-like diseases due to its inhibitory effect on Xanthine oxidase enzymes. The results also support the traditional usage of Morinda citrifolia in gout treatment.

Anticancer Activity of Morinda Citrifolia

Morinda citrifolia plays a significant role in inhibiting the growth of cancer. Anticancer properties of Morinda citrifolia are due to secondary metabolites found in it. Studies show that Morinda citrifolia leaf extract inhibits the growth of different types of cancer, including lung, prostate, and breast cancer. Data suggest that the combination therapy of chemotherapy drugs and Morinda citrifolia extract exerts more cytotoxicity and enhance the antiproliferative activity of cancer cells due to the synergistic effect. It also helps reduce adverse side effects of chemotherapy and overcome chemo-resistance, particularly in cholangiocarcinoma. Moreover, Morinda citrifolia extract reduces the hepatotoxicity caused by chemotherapy. Studies show that Morinda citrifolia significantly inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells in lung, oesophagus, colorectal, and colon cancers. It also helps to treat breast cancer and cervical cancer. Morinda citrofolia exhibits anti-tumorigenic activity due to the presence of the anthraquinone component. The combination of Morinda citrifolia and chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin has an additive effect by inducing cancer cell death (apoptosis) through the mitochondrial pathway. So Morinda citrifolia can be used as a chemo adjuvant.

Protective Effect of Morinda Citrifolia on Nervous System

Morinda citrifolia is widely used for different illnesses, including CNS disorders. It has been reported to prevent memory impairment. Studies show a positive effect of Morinda citrifolia fruit on memory, cerebral blood flow (CBF), oxidative stress, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Extract of Morinda citrifolia fruits significantly improves memory and cerebral blood flow. Morinda citrifolia extract also attenuates increased oxidative stress and inhibits AChE activity significantly. These observations suggest the usefulness of Morinda citrifolia in memory impairment. Morinda citrifolia helps keep the brain healthier and inhibits plaque formation in brain arteries, keeping it properly oxygenated. Studies show the protective effect of Morinda citrifolia juice on brain damage caused by ischemic stress.

Hypoglycemic Effect of Morinda Citrifolia

The daily consumption of Morinda citrifolia juice regulates elevated blood sugar levels and some other pathological parameters in patients with diabetes. Studies show a significant decrease in fasting glucose in people with diabetes. Morinda citrifolia works by either potentiating the action of insulin directly or by increasing peripheral tissue sensitivity to the storage hormone. Morinda citrifolia, therefore, serves as a suitable additive to the diet of diabetic patients. Also, it does not cause hypoglycemia in normoglycemic patients.

Morinda Citrifolia's Role in Hypertension

Morinda citrifolia is high in phytonutrients vitamin C and selenium, which fight with free radicals and protect blood vessel walls from damage. Morinda citrifolia fruit contains compound scopoletin that lower blood pressure. Morinda citrifolia also has the amino acid tryptophan, which produces other important substances such as serotonin that help lower blood pressure due to its relaxing effect.

Immunological Activity of Morinda Citrifolia

Results suggest that Morinda citrifolia plays an immunostimulatory role by activating innate and adaptive immune responses. It enhances the immunostimulant activity of T and B lymphocytes. Studies indicate that Morinda citrifolia modulates the immune system via activating the receptors and increasing the production of cytokines. Morinda extract contains a polysaccharide-rich substance that inhibits tumour growth. It does not exert significant cytotoxic effects but suppresses tumour growth by activating the host immune system. Morinda citrifolia extract stimulates the release of tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin, and interferon. Morinda citrifolia enhances immune function by stimulating the thymus, thus affecting anti-aging and anticancer activities and protecting from other degenerative diseases. Studies suggest that Morinda citrifolia fruit enhances neural-immune interactions and cell survival pathways while inhibiting inflammatory processes that are useful in treating age-associated conditions. Morinda citrifolia fruit extract inhibits the suppression of cell-mediated immunity caused by immunosuppressive substances. In addition, Morinda citrifolia inhibits the reduction of interleukin (IL-2) production and activates natural killer cells. These results suggest that Morinda citrifolia has multiple effects on the recovery of cell-mediated immunity.

Conclusion

Morinda citrifolia fruit is gaining popularity worldwide as a functional food ingredient and a natural health enhancer to help prevent diseases and promote good health.