Morinda Citrifolia L. (Noni)-A Review on Its Health Benefits, Phytochemistry and Its Recent Researches

Morinda citrifolia, a fruit commonly known as “Noni”, has been habitually used in parts of East Asia to relieve many diseases. Noni juice is a globally popular health beverage originating in the tropics. Traditional healers believe the noni plant to be useful for a wide range of health issues and noni juice consumers throughout the world have similar perceptions. Product derived from the fruit Morinda citrifolia (Noni) have been commercialized in USA since 1990’s and are increasing distributed all over the world. In European countries fruit juice of noni has been approved as novel food by European commission in, 2003. Noni has tradionally used to relieve inflammatory disease, Fermented noni has effect on atopic dermatis(AD) to study the improving effect of fermented noni treatment on atopic dermatitis like skin lesions and elucidate molecular mechanism. It is most effective against colon and rectal cancer. Morindone and damnacanthal have significant cytotoxicity effect and selectivity and activity against colorectal cancer cell lines has also been identified. The aim of this review study is to identify more such health benefits and chemical compounds or phytochemicals in recent researches.

HEALTH BENEFITS:-Anti -Diabetic:-Noni juice along with insulin has improved fasting blood glucose in alloxan-induced diabetes rat [1]. The anti-diabetic property of noni plant is mostly found in fruit and leaves. Methanol extract of dried noni-Leaves has significantly reduced plasma glucose level. Certainly, Episesamin 2,6-dicatechol, Iirriorsinol B dimethly ether and urosic acid confiment from crushed powder of morinda citrifolia multiplies the glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. [2] Anti-fungal activity:-Methanol extract of the dried Noni fruit shows maximum percentage of resistance against Trichophyton mentagraphytes (79.3%). Round about 50% recorded against penicillium, fusarium and rhizopus family. Noni fruit extract had a significant antifungal effect on C.albicans and the inhibitory effect varied with concentration and contact time [3].

Anti-inflammatory activity:-
In an in vitro study, the anti-inflammatory activity was detected in the Costa Rican Morinda citrifolia fruit juice by measuring its direct inhibitory activities on cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2. The in vivo study on Tahitian Morinda citrifolia fruit juice demonstrate a decrease in the carrageenan paw edema in rats, showing a high anti-inflammatory effect compared to that of NSAIDs drugs without any side effects. M. citrifolia seeds oil exhibit major anti-inflammatory activity by obstructing both COX-2 and 5-LOX enzymes in an in vitro assay at absorbtion of 0.5 and 1 mg/ml. The main use of the Morinda citrifolia seed oil was assessed on 48 adult clients using the patch test. Whereas, topical comedogenic effect of the seed oil was studied on 23 Caucasian adolescent volunteers [4].
Atopic dermatitis:-( fermented noni fruit) Fermented noni was prepared by the fermentation of noni fruit with probiotics and then extracted.This fermented Noni was administered orally to mice in order to assess its therapeutic effect on 2,4 dinitrochlorobenzene produced atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis in its beginning "atopic march" leads to asthma, food allergy, rhinitis that may result in cutaneous infections of systemic disorders and decreases the quality of life causes trouble to patient.
Antidyslipidemic effect:-Noni fruit leave and root extract are used as antidyslipidemic. The study was to provide the pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of Morinda citrifolia in dyslipidemia using the aqueous ethanolic extract of its fruit, leave, and root. Dyslipidemia is independent risk factor and it is the main reason for causing cardiovascular disease. Advanced pharmacological therapy for abnormal lipid level is effective but it is expensive and affiliated with side effect, most significant to patient incompliance. So alternative therapies specifically herbal based are being used [5].
Obesity :-Coumarins are found in many edible plants and fruits. One of the most chief coumarins was discovered in noni is Scopoletin (6-methoxy 7-hydroxy coumarin) which has shown significant effect in medication of obesity and metabolic dysfunction. Aspertulosidic acid is one of the major iridoids isolated from noni and it has been demonstrated to enhance blood fluidity, which influence the well-being of obese patients and those with obesity associated disease such as hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Vitamis (C, ascorbic acid, E, tocopherol etc.) are major non-enzymatic anti-oxidant that have main effects because of their free radical forage property [6].
Antimicrobial property:-Extract from noni leaves prepared with three various solvents like ethyl acetate essence, n-butanol and water, convey a strong antimicrobial activity against some micro-organism consisting of proteus vulgaris, staphylococcus aures, Bacillus subtilis, E.coli. Noni leaves consists of phenolic compounds specically coumarins and flavanoids and also acubin , L-asperulose , alizarin ,scopoletin. These phenolic compounds have a good antimicrobial activity.
Wound healing:-Morinda citrifolia shows good effects in streptozotocin (STPZ) induced diabetic rats.In diabetic patients, wounds are very complex to control due to impaired wound-healing. noni juice which is prepared by fermentation process has better wound healing activity. Iridoid and iridiod glucosides in noni were identified as terpenes compelled to glucose and sugars that aiding in wound healing [7].

Anti-bacterial activity:-
The anti-bacterial activity of the noni extract of water (WE), petroleum ether (PEE), ethyl acetate (EAE), chloroform (CE) and n-butanol (BE) were analysed using disk diffusion method.The resultant showed that the extract from noni leaves composed of anti-bacterial reactions towards Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia. Coli proteus vulgaris and towards staphylococcus aureus. Among 5 different extract the BE formed the best antibacterial activity. This indicates that the phenolic compound contribute to antibacterial activites of noni leaves [8].

Life Cycle Of Noni:
International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR) According to recent studies they signified that noni leaf essence takeover ergogenic effect,helping detain exhaustion by enhancing energy production,regulation and efficiency.The noni extracts showing by increasing angiogenesis in skeletal muscle and liver .which shows anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.The antispasmodic and vasodilatory actions of morinda citrifolia root essence are concilliate through blockage of voltage dependently calcium channels.This plant is not widely studied for antidyslipidemic effects except a preliminary report.It was found that a correlation among gut microbiota and weight gain shows that weight gain was putatively due to by an rice in energy saving capability of the microbiota in overweight person [9].

Discussion:
From this study we have found that the plant species of Morinda citrifolia(Noni) has various health benefits. About 200 bioactive compounds were found in noni, which include major active compounds like scopoletin, ursolic acid, rudiadin, xeronine, rutin, Damancanthal, vanillin. Phenolic compounds especially coumarin and flavonoids, acubin L-asperulose, alizalin are also identified. Now coming to the health benefits, they have varios uses like anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-fungal activity, atopic dermatitis, anti-dislipidic effect, obesity, anti microbial activity, anti bacterial activity and wound healing. Recent studies have shown that they also have activities like improving angiogenesis in skeletal muscle and liver, anti-oxidant and antiinflammatory property. Further researches on Morinda citrifolia species are required to identify the true potential of Noni.