Journal Mengkudu

Molecules 2015, 20, 17684-17719; doi:10.
3390/molecules201017684
OPEN ACCESS
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Review
Anti-Diabetic Potential of Noni: The Yin and the Yang

Pratibha V. Nerurkar *, Phoebe W. Hwang and Erik Saksa
Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders and Alternative Medicine, Department of Molecular Biosciences
and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources,
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA;
E-Mails: pwnhwang@hawaii.edu (P.W.H.); esaksa@hawaii.edu (E.S.)
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: pratibha@hawaii.edu;
Tel.: +1-808-956-9195; Fax: +1-808-956-3542.
Academic Editor: Maurizio Battino
Received: 3 May 2015 / Accepted: 16 September 2015 / Published: 25 September 2015
Abstract: Escalating trends of chronic diseases such as type-2 diabetes (T2D) have sparked
a renewed interest in complementary and alternative medicine, including herbal products.
Morinda citrifolia (noni) has been used for centuries by Pacific Islanders to treat various
ailments. Commercial noni fruit juice has been marketed as a dietary supplement since 1996.
In 2003, the European Commission approved Tahitian noni juice as a novel food by the Health
and Consumer Protection Directorate General. Among nonis several health benefits, others
and we have demonstrated the anti-diabetic effects of fermented noni fruit juice in animal
models. Unfortunately, nonis exciting journey from Polynesian medicine to the research
bench does not reach its final destination of successful clinical outcomes when translated into
commercial products. Noni products are perceived to be safe due to their natural origin.
However, inadequate evidence regarding bioactive compounds, molecular targets, mechanism
of action, pharmacokinetics, long-term safety, effective dosages, and/or unanticipated side
effects are major roadblocks to successful translation from bench side to bedside. In this
review we summarize the anti-diabetic potential of noni, differences between traditional and
modern use of noni, along with beneficial clinical studies of noni products and challenges in
clinical translation of nonis health benefits.
Keywords: Morinda citrifolia; noni; Tahitian noni juice; type 2 diabetes; herbal products;
alternative medicine
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1. Introduction
Incidence of chronic inflammatory metabolic disorders such as type-2 diabetes (T2D) is escalating
worldwide. Prevalence of T2D is expected to increase from 2.8% in 2000 to 4.4% by 2030 [1]. Similarly,
T2D-associated deaths are expected to double worldwide, from 2005 to 2030 [2]. In the United States,
25.8 million, or 8.3% of the population, including children and adolescents, suffer from T2D [3]. More
often metabolic disorders including dyslipidemia, hypertension or vascular endothelial dysfunction also
accompany T2D possibly leading to micro- and macro-vascular complications [4]. Although lifestyle
changes such as diet and exercise are cornerstones of T2D treatment, the majority of individuals
require pharmacological intervention that may include metformin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones or
glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists [5]. However, undesirable side effects of these anti-diabetic drugs,
such as weight gain, hypoglycemia, and/or secondary failure possibly accelerated the resurgence of
complementary and alternative medicine [6]. Natural products have emerged as one of the lucrative
components of pharmaceutical industries generating more than $28 billion in revenues, globally.
Worldwide sales for one of the most popular natural product, Morinda citrifolia L. (Rubiaceace)
commonly known as noni, is estimated at more than $2 billion dollars, which has increased from
approximately $33 million to $400 million from 1999 to 2000 [7]. Noni is believed to have originated
in Southeast Asia and subsequently distributed to the Western Pacific. Noni did not significantly influence
ancient Polynesian diets, but was probably consumed during famine [710]. Traditionally, noni bark and
roots were used as dye or clothing, while medicinal usage of all plant parts, including leaves and fruits,
were mostly restricted to treat wounds, infections, menstrual cramps, bowel irregularities, diabetes, high
blood pressure or as a purgative [9,11]. Based on published literature, selected traditional and modern
uses of noni are listed in Table 1, some of which are extensively reviewed elsewhere [7,9,10,12].
Table 1. Traditional and modern uses of noni.
Noni Plant Parts
Traditional Usage
Modern Usage a [ref]
Leaves
Topical burns, headaches, fevers, neonatal

inability to breath, bone fractures,
menstrual cramps, gonorrhea *, back pain *,
insect infestations, boils, rheumatic pain,
ulcers, gout, internal bleeding, ringworm,
neuralgia * [79,13,14].
To treat tuberculosis, helmintic infections, oxidative

stress, open wounds, hyperlipidemia, and as an
anti-allergen [1521].
Sores in mouth, peeling or cracking of

toes, boils, pimples, blood impurities *,
kava intoxication, insect infestations,
tuberculosis, diabetes, blotchy skin *,
heart trouble, stomach pain *,
menstrual cramps *, heartburns,
sore throat [9,13,14,22].
To treat bacterial and viral infections, cancer, pain,

diabetes, nausea, gastric ulcers, liver disease,
immune disorders, neuronal damage, cognition,
helminthic infections, or to reduce oxidative stress,
inflammation, inhibit oxidation of macromolecules
(antioxidant capacity), improve memory impairment,
cerebral blood flow, hyperglycemic and
drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Noni was used as an
antipsychotic, anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic
therapy and also to enhance food color
stability [16,21,2346].
Fruit
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Table 1. Cont.
Noni Plant Parts
Traditional Usage
Modern Usage a [ref]
Stonefish poisoning, topical infections,

asthma *, malaria [8,13,22].
No modern uses identified.
Root
Topical infections, stomach pain * [13].
To treat viral infections, hypertension, cancer,

inflammation, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and
pain [15,17,37,47,48].
Stem
Hernia [12].
Cure cutaneous leishmaniasis [49].
Bark
To treat hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress or

cancer [5052].
Seeds
Flower
Sore eyes, topical burns [8].
No modern uses identified.
Does not include anti-diabetic, clinical studies and anti-inflammatory, included in Tables 24 and Supplemental
Table 2. NJNoni fruit juice; TNJTahitian noni juice; * Treated with combination of noni and other
traditional medicines.
Traditional healers prepared noni fruit juice (NJ) by pounding noni fruits to a pulp and straining juice
through muslin cloth [9]. NJ was mixed with sugarcane juice and kukui nuts (Aleurites moluccana (L)
Willd, Euphorbiaceae) to be used as purgative, or diluted with spring water to treat diabetes, high blood
pressure or prevent intoxication from kava [9,13]. One of the most popular modern methods in Hawaiian
households is to consume fermented noni fruit juice (fNJ), which is prepared by fermenting ripe or translucent
noni fruits in airtight glass containers for more than two weeks in direct or indirect sunlight [9,10].
In contrast, commercial NJ (cNJ) may be extracted from raw or ripe fruits, with or without fermentation,
and may be mixed with other fruit juices to reduce the bitter taste or mask the strong unpleasant odor of
butyric acid present in ripe noni fruits [7,9,53]. Sometimes the fruits are chopped and dried after harvesting
for ease of shipment to factories where the dried fruits are rehydrated to prepare juice [7]. Therefore,
chemical constituents of commercial noni products may differ based on specific extraction procedures
and ripeness of noni fruits. More than 200 noni phytochemicals and their bioactivities have been
reviewed by Chan-Blanco et al. in 2006 [54], Pawlus and Kinghorn in 2007 [12], and Potterat et al. in
2007 [55]. Supplemental Table 1 summarizes bioactivities of chemicals isolated only from noni or
its products that were identified after 2007. Additional commercial products include encapsulated
freeze-dried NJ, concentrated extracts, powders, tinctures, and even fruit leather [9,10,53]. Types of
commercial noni products, available for sale on the Internet, in local grocery stores, pharmacies or health
food stores, are listed in supplemental Table 2. Terms used for the Internet searches were: Commercial
noni products and commercial types of noni juice sold for human consumption. Only the first 100
sites were screened as examples of popular noni products, which are listed in supplemental Table 2.
In the 1990s, scientific claims of nonis healing powers such as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer
properties fueled much of the commercial interest, promoting a worldwide market for noni-based dietary
supplements including NJ [27,28,31]. Among the several health benefits of noni leaves, roots, seeds,
fruits or their isolated chemicals [15,16,23,37,41,5662], fNJ has been identified to improve glucose
metabolism, increase insulin sensitivity, and prevent weight gain in diabetic animal models [23,34,63,64].
Although few clinical studies have investigated safety, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidant properties of Tahitian
noni juice (TNJ) [6568], laboratory findings of nonis anti-diabetic potential have not translated into
definite clinical outcomes. Overall, nonis popularity is outweighed by scant clinical studies and marred
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by anecdotal incidences of hepatotoxicity [6974]. The focus of this review is to summarize the
anti-diabetic properties of noni and examine knowledge gaps in clinical outcomes.
Table 2. In vitro and in vivo studies in support of anti-diabetic properties of noni.
Noni Product (Source of Noni)
Relevant Study Outcome
Anti-diabetic properties of fermented noni fruit juice (fNJ)
Noni juice prepared by fermenting fresh fruit pieces fNJ significantly lowered blood glucose in
of Morinda citrifolia in water for three weeks
streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats and
(Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies)
improved wound healing [64].
Noni juice prepared by fermenting fresh fruit pieces fNJ significantly reduced fasting glucose
of Morinda citrifolia in water for six to 10 weeks
and prevented liver degeneration in
(Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies)
streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats [23].
fNJ inhibited weight gain and improved glucose and
insulin tolerance and fasting glucose in high-fat diet
Fermented exudate from ripe noni fruits
(HFD)-fed C57BL/6 male mice in part by regulating
(fNJ, Honolulu, HI, USA)
hepatic forkhead transcription factor (FoxO1) mRNA
expression [34].
Fermented noni fruit powder was more effective
M. citrifolia fruit powder (Bobsaewoo Seoul,
in reducing fasting glucose, glycosylated
Korea) fermented with Cheonggukjang
hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum triglycerides and
containing soybeans,
LDL cholesterol and improving insulin sensitivity
Bacillus sp. (KCTC 11351BP), Bacillus subtilis
in KK-Ay/TaJcl mice after 90 days as compared
(KCTC11352BP), Bacillus sonolensis
to diabetic controls and mice treated with
(KCTC11354BP) and Bacillus
non-fermented noni [63].
circulans (KCTC 11355BP)
Lowered fasting blood glucose among
Morinda citrifolia fruit juice (Nigeria)
alloxan-induced diabetic rats fed noni juice
with or without insulin [75].
Anti-diabetic properties of noni leaves
Reduction of plasma glucose was significantly
higher with M. Lucida extracts in
streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats as
compared to glibenclamide [76].
Methanol extracts of dried Morinda lucida
Significantly reduced plasma glucose levels in
leaves (Nigeria)
control Wistar male rats within four hours
of administration.
Caution: May cause hypoglycemia.
Anti-diabetic properties of noni roots
Crude ethanol extracts significantly reduced
fasting glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic
rats, but increased fasting glucose in normal rats.
Water extracts demonstrated hypoglycemic effects
Crude water, ethanol and butanol extracts of the
in diabetic rats.
dried roots of Morinda officinalis (Singapore)
Butanol fractions increased the fasting serum
glucose levels in diabetic rats [77].
Caution: May cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia
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Table 2. Cont.
Noni Product (Source of Noni)

Extracts butanol extracts of M. citrifolia roots,
and two isolated anthroquinones viz., lucidin
3-O--D-primeveroside and morindone-6-O--Dprimeveroside (Okinawa, Japan)
Prevention of diabetes complications
Morinda citrifolia fresh fruit juice diluted in water
(Okinawa, Japan)
Ethyl acetate extract of shade dried

Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) fruit powder
(Bhuaneswar, India)
Water, ethanol and chloroform extracts of

Morinda citrifolia fresh fruits
(Marathwada region, India)
Anti-diabetic mechanisms of noni
Methanol, n-hexane and chloroform extracts of
Morinda officinalis roots and isolated compounds
viz., alizarin-2-methyl ether, rubiadin-1-methyl
ether and 1,2 dimethoxyanthraquinone
(Chungbuk, Korea)
Methanol extracts and four isolated compounds viz.,
episesamin 2,6-dicatechol, lirioresinol B, lirioresinol
B dimethyl ether and ursolic acid from dried powder
of Morinda citrifoliaplant part unidentified
(commercially obtained from Babsaewoo Company
in Suwon City, Korea)
M. citrifolia fruit powder (Bobsaewoo Seoul,
Korea) fermented with Cheonggukjang
containing soybeans,
Bacillus sp. (KCTC 11351BP), Bacillus subtilis
(KCTC11352BP), Bacillus sonolensis
(KCTC11354BP) and Bacillus circulans
(KCTC 11355BP)
Aqueous extracts of Morinda lucida leaf
(Lagos, Nigeria)
Ethanolic extracts of Morinda citrifolia Linn.
Leaves and fruits
Relevant Study Outcome

Significantly lowered blood glucose in
streptozotocin-induced ddY diabetic male mice [78].
Prevented neuronal diabetic complications such as

infarction, neuronal damage, development of
post-ischemic glucose intolerance and improved
memory and insulin secretion in male ddY mice [60].
Noni fruit extract prevented streptozotocin-induced
memory impairment in mice, due to reduced
oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase activity.
Noni fruit extracts also increased levels of BDNF,
acetylcholine, and ATP in brains of these mice [79].
Water extracts significantly inhibited rat lens aldose
reductase (RLAR) activities and improved free
radical scavenging activities in vitro as compared to
ethanol and chloroform extracts thereby indicating a
potential to inhibit cataract formation and prevent
diabetic complications [80].
Extracts and isolated compounds increased adipocyte
differentiation in 3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes as
compared to insulin-treated cells demonstrating
possible anti-diabetic effects [81].
Crude methanol extracts and isolated compounds
were demonstrated to increase glucose uptake in
3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes, specifically by inhibiting
protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), known to
induce insulin resistance when overexpressed [82].
Improved glucose uptake in cultured C2C12

mouse muscle cells, in vitro via stimulation
of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) [63].
Inhibited -amylase in vitro that was isolated from

-Aspergillus oryzae and glucosidase from
-Saccharomyces cerevisiae [83].
Inhibited protein glycation ex vivo in plasma of
diabetic patients [84].
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1.1. Anti-Diabetic Properties of Noni

Among the 15 studies investigating the anti-diabetic effects of noni, six studies report anti-diabetic
properties of NJ prepared from fruits, while the remainder of studies identified the anti-diabetic properties
of extracts prepared from noni roots or leaves, reviewed in Table 2. Earlier studies indicated that NJ
prepared by fermenting fresh fruit pieces of Morinda citrifolia in water for three weeks significantly lowered
blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats and improved wound healing [64]. An
increase in hydroxyproline contents of the healing tissues, and presence of polyphenols, triterpenoids,
tannins, carboxylic acids, and steroids, as well as in vitro antimicrobial activity of fNJ were speculated
to contribute towards its anti-diabetic and wound healing properties [64]. Fermentation of noni fruits for
longer periods (six to 10 weeks) also demonstrated similar hypoglycemic effects in streptozotocin-induced
diabetic male rats and prevented liver degeneration [23]. In addition to blood glucose levels, fNJ was
observed to improve body mass, liver glycogen contents, and liver degeneration and was comparable to
the anti-diabetic medicine glibenclamide [23]. Studies from our laboratory indicated that fermented
exudate collected from ripe noni fruits after two weeks was not only able to lower fasting glucose, but
also inhibited weight gain and improved glucose and insulin tolerance in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese
and diabetic male mice [34].
Similarly, noni fruit powder fermented with Cheonggukjang containing soybeans and bacteria such
as Bacillus sp. (KCTC 11351BP), Bacillus subtilis (KCTC11352BP), Bacillus sonolensis (KCTC11354BP),
and Bacillus circulans (KCTC 11355BP) was more effective in reducing fasting glucose, glycosylated
hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and improving
insulin sensitivity in KK-Ay/TaJcl diabetic mice as compared to diabetic mice treated with non-fermented
noni [63]. A recent study demonstrated that NJ synergistically augmented insulin action and improved
fasting blood glucose among alloxan-induced diabetic rats, as compared with only NJ or insulin [75].
In addition to noni fruits, methanol extracts obtained from dried noni leaves significantly
reduced plasma glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats more effectively than those treated with
glibenclamide [76]. However, these methanol extracts also significantly lowered plasma glucose levels
in control Wistar male rats within four hours of administration, indicating possible adverse hypoglycemic
effects [76]. Similarly, crude water and ethanol extracts of dried roots of Morinda officinalis significantly
reduced fasting glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats [77]. Interestingly, crude water extracts
of dried roots increased fasting glucose in normal rats, while butanol fractions increased the fasting
serum glucose levels in diabetic rats indicating possible adverse effects [77]. Crude butanol extracts
of M. citrifolia roots and two isolated anthroquinones such as, lucidin 3-O--D-primeveroside and
morindone-6-O--D-primeveroside, significantly lowered blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced ddY
diabetic male mice [78].
Overall NJ, specifically fNJ, was more widely studied and effective in lowering fasting
glucose, improving glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in diabetic animal models [23,34,63,64,75].
Contrary to NJ, extracts of noni leaves, roots or stems indicated possible adverse events in normoglycemic
animals [7678].
Besides anti-diabetic activity, noni leaf extracts and NJ also prevented diabetic complications
in animal models such as improved would healing in diabetic rats [61,64]. NJ also prevented infarction,
neuronal damage and development of post-ischemic glucose intolerance [60]. NJ from Japan improved
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memory in male ddY diabetic mice [60], while noni fruit extracts from India prevented streptozotocininduced memory impairment in mice, possibly due to reduced oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase
activity [79]. Increased levels of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), acetylcholine, and ATP in the
brains of mice were, in part, responsible for improved memory and brain function in diabetic mice [79].
Potential to prevent cataract formation was indicated by inhibition of rat lens aldose reductase (RLAR)
activities and improved free radical scavenging activities in vitro by aqueous extracts of noni fruits [80].
Noni plant extracts inhibited the oxidation of LDL in human hepatoma cells, HepG2 [85], and prevented
alcohol-induced fatty liver, hyperlipidemia, and hypercholesterolemia in mice and hamsters fed HFD
and noni [86,87].
1.2. Anti-Diabetic Compounds in Noni
Studies have identified specific anti-diabetic compounds from noni roots, but not from noni fruits
that have demonstrated the maximum anti-diabetic benefits as mentioned above. Two anthroquinones
isolated from M. citrifolia roots viz., lucidin 3-O--D-primeveroside and morindone-6-O--D-primeveroside
lowered blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced ddY diabetic male mice [78], while alizarin-2-methyl
ether, rubiadin-1-methyl ether, and 1,2 dimethoxyanthraquinone isolated from Morinda officinalis roots
increased adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes as compared to insulin-treated cells,
indicating potential anti-diabetic properties [81]. Similarly, episesamin 2,6-dicatechol, lirioresinol B,
lirioresinol B dimethyl ether, and ursolic acid isolated from dried powder of Morinda citrifolia (plant
parts unidentified) increased glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes [82].
1.3. Anti-Diabetic Mechanisms of Noni
Several cellular and molecular mechanisms together contribute to lowering fasting and post-prandial
glucose, as well as improving glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Anti-diabetic drugs such as
thiazolidinedione (TZDs), are known to stimulate adipocyte differentiation and enhance insulin
sensitivity [88]. Although insulin sensitivity was not evaluated, methanol extracts of noni roots and three
anthraquinones: 1,2-dimethoxyanthraquinone, alizarin-2-methyl ether, and rubiadin-1-methyl ether isolated
from these extracts significantly increased differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes in vitro [81]. Independent
studies propose insulin mimetic activities of extracts derived from noni fruit, leaf, and commercial juice
as indicated by increased glucose uptake in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, but had no additional or
synergetic effect in insulin-stimulated cells [89]. Episesamin 2,6-dicatechol, lirioresinol B, lirioresinol
B dimethyl ether and ursolic acid isolated from methanol extracts of dried noni plant dose-dependently
increased glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes which was comparable to rosiglitazone [82]. These
noni-derived compounds also inhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a known inducer of
insulin resistance [82]. Overexpression of PTP1B results in whole body insulin resistance while PTP1B
knockdown improves insulin sensitivity and inhibits weight gain in mice [90]. Similarly, ethanol extracts
of fermented noni stimulated glucose uptake in C2C12-derived mouse myotubules [63]. The effect on
glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes was attributed to increased expression of AMP-activated protein
kinase (AMPK), a known sensor of cellular energy [63]. Overall, the effect of noni or its chemicals on
increased glucose uptake may contribute to improved peripheral insulin resistance, which are also noted
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in vivo, in HFD-fed obese mice and diabetic KK-Ay/TaJcl mice [34,63]. However, the effects of noni
on PTP1B and AMPK in vivo remain unknown.
Another mechanism to improve postprandial glucose is to delay carbohydrate absorption from
the intestine, which may help to regulate insulin release. This can be achieved through the inhibition of
intestinal -glucosidase and -amylase enzymes. Line weaver-Burk plots indicated that aqueous extracts
of Morinda lucida leaves competitively inhibited -amylase activity and non-competitively inhibited
-glucosidase activity in vitro [83]. In addition to dietary absorption, an increase in plasma glucose is
also associated with insulins inability to regulate hepatic gluconeogenesis. Insulin regulates hepatic
glucose production via activation of Akt/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway and subsequent
inhibition of forkhead boxO transcription factor 1 (FoxO1). Our studies have demonstrated that fNJ
reduced hepatic gluconeogenesis in HFD-fed obese mice by inhibiting gluconeogenesis enzymes and
specifically regulating FoxO1 mRNA expression [34]. Inhibition of hepatocyte fatty degeneration was
also speculated as one of the mechanisms to lower plasma glucose among streptozotocin-induced
diabetic rats [23]. In humans, ethanol extracts of noni leaves and fruits were capable of inhibiting protein
glycation in plasma of diabetic patients, ex vivo [84]. Although chronic inflammation is considered a
critical etiological factor in T2D, and several anti-inflammatory properties of noni have been demonstrated
(summarized in Supplemental Table 3), studies investigating a direct correlation between anti-inflammatory
effects of noni and amelioration of diabetes are lacking.
1.4. Human Studies in Support of Anti-Diabetic Potential of Noni
To date, human studies documenting anti-diabetic effects of noni consumption among T2D
individuals are lacking. However, four population-based surveys have established the prevalence of noni
use by traditional healers and diabetic individuals. In 2008, correlations between noni use and diabetes
were first identified based on a dietary survey and ethnomedical questionnaire administered to residents
of Kalo and Wanigela districts of Papua New Guinea [89]. Chewing betel quid was identified as an
independent risk factor for diabetes in Papua New Guinea. Interestingly, prevalence of diabetes risk was
reduced among betel quid chewers of Kalo district who simultaneously consumed guava bud (Psidium
guajava L.) and noni, as compared to betel quid chewers of Wanigela residents who were ethnically
identical, but did not consume guava bud and noni. An alternate proof of concept was provided by
analyzing the effects of noni fruit, leaf extract and commercial NJ (Flora Manufacturing & Distributing
Ltd., Burnaby, BC, Canada) on glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes. Their studies indicated
that noni fruit and leaf extracts increased basal glucose uptake, but had no synergistic effect on
insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes [89].
An ethnobotanical survey conducted among traditional medical practitioners, herbalists, and herb
vendors of Lagos State in Southwestern Nigeria indicated that the juice from noni leaves, administered
twice daily for 1216 weeks was among the principal traditional herbal therapies to treat diabetes [91].
Another ethnopharmacological survey documented the use NJ obtained from peeled and crushed
fruits by the majority of diabetic population in Mauritius and was also prescribed/recommended by the
majority of traditional healers [92]. Responders also claimed to use NJ to treat diabetic neuropathy,
diabetic dyslipidemia, and hypertension. One adverse event was reported in the form of diarrhea with
the concomitant use of noni and Atrovastatin to treat hypercholesterolemia [92]. However, the actual
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therapeutic outcomes, in both these surveys, were not specified. In contrast a recent ethnopharmacological
survey from the Republic of Palau indicated that noni had no effect on lowering blood glucose among
the two users, but was effective for weight loss among all 15 users and lowered high blood pressure
among 42% of the users [93]. However, these observational studies and surveys had incomplete
information regarding plant parts used, method of preparation or consumption, duration of treatment,
and/or exact dose of noni used to treat diabetes (Table 3).
Table 3. Human studies in support of anti-diabetic properties of noni.
Type of Noni Products,
Dosage and Duration
Type of noni product,
dosage and duration
unknown.
Juice from Morinda
lucida leaves mixed with
juice from Saccharum
officinarum leaves and
water administered twice
daily for 1216 weeks.
Exact dosage of noni
juice unknown.
Study Rationale
Population based
observational study in
Papua New Guinea.
Ethnobotanical survey
to identify medicinal
plants used to treat
diabetes.
Subject Demographics
365 participants from
three provinces of Papua
New Guinea
Above 16 years of age.
100 participants from five
central districts of Lagos
State in southwestern
Nigeria consisting of
traditional medical
practitioners, herbalists
and herb sellers (76%
responders were males).
Study Outcomes [ref]

Habitual intake of noni was
protective against betel
quid-associated T2D [89].
Morinda lucida was among
the principal anti-diabetic
plants to be used in
traditional therapy to treat
diabetes. Anti-diabetic
outcomes were not
specified [91].
One cup of Morinda

citrifolia juice obtained
from peeled and crushed
fruits, three times a week.
Document
ethnopharmacological
data regarding the use
of natural resources
among diabetic
population of Mauritius.
320 diabetic patients (42%

males and 58% females)
20 traditional medicine
practitioners (55% males
and 45% females).
Morinda citrifolia was

documented to be most
widely used by both, diabetic
individuals and traditional
medicine practitioners to
treat diabetes.
Perceived to be beneficial in
treating diabetic neuropathy,
diabetic dyslipidemia, and
hypertension [92].
Among 58 users of
Morinda citrifolia L.,
26 used leaves, 12 used
stems, 4 used bark,
4 used roots and only
2 individual used fruits.
Preparations consisted of
decoction, juices or both.
Exact dosage unknown.
Ethnopharmacological
survey to identify
correlation between use
of traditional Palauan
medicines and
non-communicable
diseases such as diabetes
520 individuals undertook

the survey among which
only 188 responses were
conclusive. 61%
responders were
females and 18% were
traditional healers.
Noni had no effect on

lowering blood glucose, but
effectively reduced weight
among all 15 users and
lowered high blood pressure
among 42% of the users [93].
1.5. Clinical Studies Evaluating Safety and Health Benefits of Noni

There is no dearth of Internet testimonials attesting the miracles and health benefits of noni products,
specifically NJ. However, clinical studies assessing medicinal properties of noni are limited. Table 4
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summarizes clinical studies conducted using commercial or laboratory prepared noni products. Initial
claim of nonis anti cancer properties, reported in 2004, were based upon interviews with cancer survivors
from Hawaii, as well as their medical records and pathological analysis [94], reviewed in detail by
Brown [10]. In brief, a 69-year-old man diagnosed with poorly-differentiated invasive adenocarcinoma of
the colon, and assigned to hospice care, demonstrated improved bodyweight and appetite after consuming
fNJ for six months. Follow-up endoscopy, after six years of continued fNJ consumption, did not reveal
disease progression [94]. The second patient, another 64 year old male, diagnosed with adenocarcinoma
at the esophagogastric junction, survived for 16 years without recurrence of the disease, which is rare.
Long-term, cancer-free survival was attributed to consumption of homemade fNJ. In both these cases
immunomodulatory effects of fNJ were hypothesized to prevent metastases, thereby promoting long-term
survival [94].
Table 4. Clinical studies demonstrating safety and health benefits of noni.
Type of Noni Products, Dosage
and Duration
Study Rationale [ref]
Subject Demographics and Outcomes
Case report based on

2 cancer patients
interviews, review of
medical records and
pathological slides [94].
Case 1
Male 69 years old
Poorly differentiated invasive adinocarcinoma
Case 2
Male 64 years old
Adinocarcinoma at the esophagogastric junction
Overall, study indicated better disease control and
survival outcomes
Freeze dried whole noni fruit 500 mg

capsules, incremental dosage up to
12 g/day (Innovative Nutriceuticals
and Noni Maui).
Minimum of 28 days at a specified
dose level.
Phase I clinical trials to

investigate safety and
toxicity of high noni
doses and determine
anti-cancer effects [95].
Advanced stage cancer patients without any

standard treatments.
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00033878
No toxicity was observed until 28 days. Improved
quality of life at doses of 68 g/day. Noni
consumption did not affect tumor regression,
but one patient with advanced stomach cancer
noted no disease progression for 40 months
during noni consumption.
TNJ, Morinda Inc., Provo, UT, USA

30, 300 and 750 mL/day for 28 days
To investigate clinically
safe dose of TNJ in
humans [67,68,96].
28 males and 68 females

18 to 64 years old.
No significant effect on plasma lipids, glucose as
well as liver and kidney function tests.
NJ, Morinda, Provo, UT, USA

Two oz., morning and evening for
three months
Improving quality of
life, bone
mineralization and
auditory (hearing)
function [97].
Three participants in placebo group and five

in NJ group.
Postmenopausal women suffering from
osteoporosis and hearing loss.
Limited improvement in bone mineralization and
hearing were observed.

1 and 4 oz./day for one month
Investigate effects of
aromatic DNA adducts
among smokers [66].
203 heavy smokers, 18 to 65 years old.

TNJ reduced aromatic DNA adducts levels in
heavy smokers.
Home made NJ
Method of preparation and
dosagenot reported
Consumption duration6 months in
case 1, unknown in case 2
Molecules 2015, 20
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Table 4. Cont.

and Duration

29.5 mL and 118 mL/day for 30 days
Investigate anti-oxidant
properties of TNJ [65].
285 heavy smokers, 18 to 65 years old

TNJ reduced plasma superoxide anion radicals and
lipid hydroperoxide in smokers.
Tahitian Noni Original Bioactive

along with probiotics daily for
12 weeks, 30 min of daily exercise,
calorie and dietary restrictions. Exact
amount of noni juice consumed is
not specified.
Determine the effects of

noni and exercise on
body fat composition
and weight loss [98].
42 overweight male and female volunteers

1665 years old, with BMI above 25 kg/m2.
All participants lost nine to 12% of body fat and
noted an average reduction of 1.2 to 2.5 kg/m2
BMI. Overall males lost more weight than females.
Investigate the effects

of TNJ on cigarette
smoke-induced
dyslipidemia and
systemic
inflammation [99].
132 adult smokers, 18 to 65 years old

Smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day,
for more than one year.
No concurrent use of prescription
drugs or supplements.
TNJ significantly reduced serum cholesterol,
triglycerides, high-sensitive C-reactive protein
(hs-CRP), LDL and homocysteine, and increased
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL)
among smokers.
TNJ, Morinda Inc., Provo, UT, USA.

29.5 mL once in the morning (n = 51) or
59 mL twice daily-morning and night
(n = 55)
Placebo, 29.5 mL fruit juice devoid of
iridoid glycosides and contained blend
of grape and blueberry juices and
natural cheese flavor to mimic the
flavor of TNJ (n = 26)
Total duration, 30 days
TNJ, Morinda Inc., Provo, UT, USA.

Dosage and duration unspecified.
Identify pre-operative
use of herbal medicine
among Nigerian
outpatients [91].
Noni capsules containing 400 mg of

pure milled noni herb powder (Vitamin
World in Ronkonkoma, New York,
NY, USA).
Investigate effects of
noni on pain and
inflammation in women
suffering with
dysmenorrhoea [100].
Pre-operational cross-sectional survey conducted

among 60 outpatients (55% females, 45% males)
undergoing local, regional or general anesthesia.
40% used several herbs for well being, 13%
specifically for diabetes and 47% used herbs for
hypertension. The exact number of patients using
TNJ and the specific outcomes remains unknown.
100 women participants suffering with
dysmenorrhea, 18 years or older.
Improvement in bleeding and pain scores was not
significantly different in the noni group as
compared to the controls.
Dried noni fruit extract

150, 300 and 600 mg one hour
before surgery
Prevention of
postoperative nausea
and vomiting [36].
100 surgery patients, 18 to 65 years old.

600 mg noni fruit extract prevented postoperative
nausea during first 6 h as compared to placebo.
Determine
gastrointestinal motility
and to elucidate
gastrokinetic
mechanisms [101].
10 each of nonsmoking healthy male and female

volunteers, 1845 years old, with BMI ranging
from 18 to 25 kg/m2
Increased gastric mobility in healthy volunteers,
possibly due to the ability of scopoletin to stimulate
5-hydroxyl tryptophan 4 (5-HT4) receptors as
demonstrated in rats.
Open-label, 2-period crossover study,

with two weeks washout period and
using single-dose of ethanolic noni
fruit extracts and 300 mg ranitidine
(1 tablet of Ranids).
Dose of noni for humans was
calculated according to the prokinetic
dose of scopoletin obtained from the
prokinetic investigation in rats.
Molecules 2015, 20
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Table 4. Cont.

and Duration
Investigating
anti-allergenic and
photo-protective
properties of noni leaf
extracts [102].
45 healthy subjects with limited skin pigmentation

for allergy studies.
25 healthy individuals with Fitzpatrick skin type 2
for erythema studies.
Noni leaf extracts prevented sodium lauryl
sulphate-induced skin allergies and reduced
ultraviolet ray B-induced erythema in
healthy individuals.
Morinda citrifolia L. leaves,

dosage, duration and method of
preparation unidentified.
To document the use of

medicinal plants among
Nicobarese tribe from
15 villages of Andaman
and Nicobar
Islands [103].
70 Traditional Knowledge Practitioners

39% were 5160 years old
Leaves of Morinda citrifolia L. were mostly used
for pains, aches, diarrhea, hypertension, fever, skin
injuries, dental caries, hernia, snakebite, infertility,
bone fractures and breathing difficulties.
Petroleum jelly-base ointment

containing 1% methanol extracts of
noni stems, applied three times a day
up to six weeks.
Determine topical
application to cure
cutaneous
leishmaniasis [49].
Forty patients (30 male, 10 female) with cutaneous

leishmaniasis sores.
80% of the individuals showed positive response to
treatment, while 20% had no significant
improvement in sores. No side effects were noted.
Noni leaf juice and ethanol extracts

(30:0.05 w/w) was used at a dose of
0.6 mg/cm2
The first clinical study evaluating health benefits of noni fruit was initiated in 2002 and completed
in 2007. The phase-I clinical trial investigated the toxicity and efficacy of freeze-dried ripe noni fruit
extracts among cancer patients to regress advanced tumors [104] and has been reviewed earlier [10].
Patients were randomized into five groups receiving two, four, six, eight or ten grams of noni/day for
28 days. While no adverse events were noted, significant reduction in pain was observed at all noni doses
along with a non-significant dose response for global health status [95]. In spite of improvement in
quality of life measures, noni did not demonstrate any therapeutic effects on tumor regression except for
one patient with advanced stomach cancer who noted no disease progression for 40 months while
consuming noni [95].
Although several varieties of NJ are available in the market, clinical safety assessments have so far
been conducted only for Tahitian noni juice (TNJ, Morinda, Provo, UT, USA). The first clinical safety
study initially reported by Davies and Mugglestone in 2003 [96] and later reviewed by West et al. in
2006 [67] and Brown in 2012 [10] was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with 96 healthy
individuals consuming up to 750 mL of TNJ for six weeks. Consumption of TNJ for four and six weeks
had no adverse effects on liver and kidney function tests, hematological analysis, differential red and
white blood cell count, heart rate, and blood pressure [67,96]. Comprehensive analysis of the above
study was subsequently reported in 2009 by West et al. [68], which included data collected at baseline
(week 0) and two weeks, in addition to weeks four and six. Overall, these reports indicated that healthy
individuals could consume up to 750 mL of TNJ daily for six weeks without any measurable side
Molecules 2015, 20
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effects [67,68,96]. Clinical outcomes of TNJ were initially tested for its effects on hearing, bone turnover,
and perceived quality of life in postmenopausal women [97]. Participants consumed 4 oz of TNJ daily
(two ounces in the morning and evening) for three months. TNJ marginally improved bone remodeling
and hearing in postmenopausal women [97]. The small sample size (three in placebo group and five in
NJ group) was probably a major drawback to reach concrete conclusions.
Since 2009, TNJ has been methodically evaluated for its anti-carcinogenic [66], anti-oxidant [65], and
weigh loss effects [98], as well as its ability to reduce cigarette smoke-induced dyslipidemia and systemic
inflammation [99]. Randomized trials were conducted testing anti-carcinogenic and anti-oxidant effects
of TNJ involving more than 200 heavy smokers consuming one ounce and four ounces of TNJ for one
month. The anti-carcinogenicity study required the participants to consume TNJ along with one cup
of water in the morning on empty stomach and demonstrated that aromatic DNA adduct levels were
significantly reduced by 40%50% as compared to baseline adduct levels at week 0 [66]. The second
placebo-controlled, double-blinded study measured plasma superoxide anion radicals (SAR) and lipid
hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels, pre- and post-intervention, among a total of 285 heavy smokers. While
inter-group differences were absent in all the pre-tests conducted at baseline, the mean post-test levels
of SAR and LOOH were significantly lower in TNJ groups compared to placebo groups, without any
measurable side effects [65].
Consumption of TNJ in combination with probiotics, exercise, and calorie restriction for 12 weeks
reduced overall body weights by 17.55 9.73 lbs., reduced percent body fat by three to 15.4% and reduced
average BMI by 2.6 1.32 kg/m2 among otherwise healthy, but overweight individuals [98]. Men were
noted to lose more weight than women. Although the authors present a compelling discussion regarding
limited benefits of exercise and diet alone for weight loss, one of the major drawbacks of this study was the
lack of appropriate control group receiving only noni or no probiotics, exercise, and calorie restriction [98].
A recent study among 132 heavy smokers, who smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day for more than
one year, was a randomized, placebo-control trial [99]. Consumption of 29.5 mL to 118 mL of TNJ either
once or twice a day was effective in significantly lowering serum cholesterol, triglycerides, high-sensitive
C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), LDL and homocysteine, and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
(HDL) as compared to placebo juice devoid of iridoid glycosides [99]. In the same study population
(subset sample size unspecified), TNJ also reduced cigarette smoke-induced lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs)and malondialdehyde (MDA)-DNA adducts [105].
Interestingly, TNJ was also identified in a cross-sectional survey, as one of the herbal products to
be commonly used among Nigerian outpatients undergoing local, regional or general anesthesia [91].
Forty percent of the responders reported the use of several herbs for well-being, 13% specifically used
herbs for diabetes, and 47% used them for hypertension. However, the exact number of out patients
using TNJ, the dosage or the duration, as well as the specific outcomes or efficacy for overall herb usage,
was not clarified [91].
In addition to TNJ, commercial noni capsules containing 400 mg of pure noni powder (Vitamin
World, Ronkonkoma, NY, USA) demonstrated no beneficial effects on menstrual pain or bleeding when
compared to placebo, in a recently-conducted, prospective, randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled
trial among women with dysmenorrhea [100].
Efficacy of non-commercial noni fruit extracts was tested in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded,
placebo-controlled trial to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) [36]. One hundred
Molecules 2015, 20
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elective surgery patients qualifying for three out of the four predictors of PONV, such as female gender,
history of PONV, non-smoking, and opioid use, were randomized into four groups receiving either placebo
or dried noni fruit extract capsules (150 mg, 300 mg or 600 mg) one hour before surgery. Number of
episodes and severity of nausea and vomiting were recorded for 24 h post surgery. The highest dose of
600 mg noni fruit extract was effective in reducing the nausea in the first 06 h, but had no effect on
postoperative vomiting after 6 to 24 h post surgery [36]. In contrast, an open-label, two-period crossover,
kinetic study using ethanolic noni fruit extracts and 300 mg ranitidine (one tablet of Ranids), indicated
that noni significantly increased gastric mobility in healthy volunteers, possibly due to the ability of
scopoletin to stimulate 5-hydroxyl tryptophan 4 (5-HT4) receptors [101]. This study further suggests the
possible use of noni fruit as a digestive, appetite-stimulating agent and to reduce bloating and heartburn [101].
Clinical studies have also evaluated the health benefits of noni leaves and stems [49,102,103].
Allergenicity tests of noni leaf extracts were conducted among 49 healthy individuals using sodium lauryl
sulphate (SLS) as an adjuvant during the induction phase of the repeat-insult patch test. Similarly,
efficacy of noni leaf extracts to ameliorate ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced erythema was conducted among
25 healthy subjects with Fitzpatrick skin type 2, that generally burns easily but tans minimally within
the first 3045 min of sun exposure. Skins of volunteers exposed to noni leaf extracts with or without
SLS did not demonstrate any adverse reactions. Moreover, UVB dose required to induce erythema
was 3.5 times higher at skin sites treated with noni leaf extracts compared to untreated skin [102].
Anti-inflammatory properties of noni leaf extracts were attributed to its inhibitory effects on histamine
H-1 receptor binding activity, possibly due to the presence of the polyphenol quercetin in these extracts [102].
Similarly, petroleum jelly-base ointment containing 1% methanol extracts of noni stems significantly
improved cutaneous leishmaniasis [49].
Among the 150 medicinal plant species recorded, leaves of Morinda citrifolia L. were recently
identified, as having the highest medicinal-use value [103]. Traditional Knowledge Practitioners (TKPs)
of Nicobarese tribes from 15 villages of Andaman and Nicobar Islands used noni to treat pains, aches,
diarrhea, hypertension, fevers, skin injuries, dental caries, hernia, snake bite, infertility, bone fractures,
and breathing difficulties [103].
1.6. Bioavailability and Pharmacokinetics of Noni
Noni phytochemicals have been classified as flavonoids, lignans, iridoids, coumarins, anthraquinones,
polysaccharides, terpenoids, sterols, and fatty acids [12]. It is expected that diverse biological activities
and health effects of various noni preparations is based upon the concentrations and synergistic effects of
its bioactive components.
So far, only two studies have evaluated bioavailability of noni or its bioactive components. The first
pharmacokinetic study determined the bioavailability of scopoletin, a bioactive compound in noni among
healthy volunteers. Five men and four women participated in the study and consumed either 1500 mg,
2000 mg, or 2500 mg of freeze-dried noni fruit in the form of 500 mg capsules in one day [106]. Although
the sample size was extremely small, scopoletin was rapidly absorbed in the blood of all individuals
within 0.3 to 0.5 h and excreted slowly in urine up to 8 h. Results indicate noni and its bioactive compounds
assessed in this study are readily bioavailable in healthy individuals [106].
Molecules 2015, 20
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Recent study evaluated pharmacokinetics of noni iridoid glycosides, monotropein, and

deacetylasperulosidic acid after oral administration of Morinda officinalis root extracts in rats [107].
Based on plasma concentrations, study indicated that monotropein had a shorter half-life and was
eliminated faster than deacetylasperulosidic acid [107].
Several other bioactive components, such as the flavonoid quercetin (3,30,40,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone)
and its glycoside, rutin (quercetin-3-O-b-rutinoside), have been independently demonstrated to be
bioavailable in humans [108]. However, studies evaluating the pharmacokinetics and/or bioavailability
of polyphenols, anthraquinones or other bioactive compounds not directly derived from noni or its
extracts are beyond the scope of this review.
2. Discussion
Among the 469 studies identified by PubMed using the search term Morinda citrifolia, about 13 cell
culture and animal studies have provided substantial evidence in support of nonis anti-diabetic potential,
its associated mechanisms, and its potential to mitigate diabetic complications [23,34,60,63,64,7579,86,87].
Human studies in support of anti-diabetic potential of noni are restricted to four population-based
surveys from the Pacific Islands and Africa, demonstrating the use of noni preparations by traditional
healers and the general population to treat diabetes and its complications [89,9193]. However, these
surveys do not document or specify the effects of noni on T2D outcomes. Nevertheless, clinical studies
investigating health benefits of noni, other than diabetes, are slowly emerging. It is encouraging to
note that systemic evaluations of long-term safety, determination of efficacious doses, and randomized,
placebo-control trials are being conducted for standardized commercial preparations of NJ, such as the
TNJ [67,68,96]. Yet, several other commercial noni products in the market lack rigorous scientific
evaluations for potential health benefits.
Although commercial preparations try to maintain quality control and consistency of dosage during
the entire period of the products shelf life, differences in varieties of noni plants, conditions during
cultivation, such as temperature, soil condition, nutrients, use of pesticides, stage of harvest, along with
differences in methods of preparation may contribute to the differences in chemical composition of
bioactive compounds in noni products. Few studies have tested and compared the chemical differences
in commercial noni products. Study by West BJ et al. [109] determined the mineral profiles of 177 brands
of commercial NJ according to a modified Association of Official Analytical Chemists protocol. Nine
minerals were consistently identified in all NJ samples. Potassium was the most predominant mineral in
all NJ and the range was consistent with those approved by European Union for TNJ (3050 mg/serving)
but was lower than potassium concentrations found in banana and yogurt.
Another study by Potterat et al. [110] compared the chemical composition of noni fruits, eight different
cNJ, including TNJ, and four types of noni capsules from different parts of the world. Significant
chemical differences were noted not only between juices and capsules, but also within different batches
of same types of NJ [110]. A study by Samoylenko et al. identified six to seven similar chemicals in NJ
obtained from Puerto Rico and Japan. However, scopoletin was detected only in freshly-squeezed NJ
from Japan but was absent in NJ obtained from Puerto Rico [111].
Several classes of secondary metabolites, including polysaccharides, fatty acid glycosides, iridoids,
anthraquinones, and flavonoids are present in NJ, which are metabolized in the liver by enzymes, such
Molecules 2015, 20
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as cytochrome P450 (CYP), and may share the same metabolic pathways with prescription drugs [112].
In rats, quercetin and rutin present in noni was observed to significantly inhibit P-glycoprotein (P-gp)
and CYP3A4, which are pharmacologically important in drug transport and metabolism, respectively [113].
Similarly, NJ also inhibited p-nitrophenol glucuronidation in rats, indicating reduction of UDP-glucuronosyl
transferase (UGT), an enzyme involved in drug detoxification [114]. Herbal preparations including noni
products are considered safe by the public based on their natural origins. Hence, herbal toxicities are
difficult to diagnose, as patients do not report the use of natural supplements to their healthcare providers.
So far, 11 noni-associated toxicity cases have been reported between 2000 and 2015 and nine of these
occurring up to 2011 have been reviewed in detail earlier [10,115]. A recent toxicity report in 2012 was
associated with consumption of Euforia juice that contained NJ along with other natural products.
A 45-year old woman, consuming Euforia for one month to treat systemic sclerosis, eventually developed
jaundice and presented elevated serum transaminases [74]. She was eventually diagnosed with hepatocellular
necrosis and histopathological changes indicated toxic hepatitis. Her condition improved 18 months after
discontinuing Euforia juice. Exact toxicity mechanisms remain unspecified, but several known hepatotoxic
natural products including noni were hypothesized to induce herb-herb interactions [74].
NJ consumption for one week was associated with severe herb-drug liver toxicities in a 38-year
old women concomitantly consuming low doses of phenobarbital for seven months to prevent
electroencephalogram-associated seizures [73]. Although the patient was identified as a fast metabolizer
of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, phenobarbital-associated hepatic toxicities were not observed for seven
months. All other causes of liver injury, such as viral hepatitis (A, B, C), cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr
virus, human immunodeficiency virus, herpes simplex virus, autoimmune hepatitis, hemochromatosis,
and Wilsons disease were negative. Eventual discontinuation of both phenobarbital and NJ, along with
steroid treatment, helped to normalize her liver abnormalities, which were hypothesized to be associated
with synergistic idiosyncratic herb-drug interactions [73]. In a recent case report, poor seizure control
in a 49-year old epileptic male was attributed to concomitant use of noni juice and phenytoin, a
commonly-used drug for seizure control [116]. Reduction of noni juice consumption and addition of
another anti-seizure medication helped to regain seizure control [116]. Although individuals and
healthcare-providers have to be aware of possible noni-drug interactions, such interactions may also
occur by consuming otherwise considered healthy food such as grapefruit [117].
Among the few positive clinical studies, TNJ was demonstrated to be safe among healthy individuals
while additional clinical studies demonstrated reduction of oxidative stress, DNA adducts and dyslipidemia
among heavy smokers consuming TNJ [6567,105] and weight loss in healthy overweight individuals [98].
Commercial TNJ is a blend of 89% NJ and 11% mixture of grape and blueberry juices [54] and it is,
therefore, difficult to credit NJ alone for the observed health effects.
Approval of NJ as a novel food supplement by European Commission was based on the
non-toxicity and non-allergenicity of TNJ in adult rodents and safety tests conducted among healthy
individuals. Considering the fact that hundreds of noni products are available in the market, clinical
safety evaluations of TNJ does not necessarily endorse all commercial noni products as safe. Similarly,
safety evaluations of TNJ performed among healthy individuals may not be applicable to individuals
with chronic diseases and/or compromised immune systems as well as vulnerable populations, such as
children, adolescents, and pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Molecules 2015, 20
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3. Conclusions and Future Directions

Successful clinical outcomes for noni products will depend on established and validated correlations
between putative bioactive markers, molecular targets and specific health benefits. Although cell
culture and animal studies provide compelling evidence in support of the anti-diabetic properties of
laboratory-prepared fNJ, addressing the following knowledge gaps will be critical to determine the
anti-diabetic potential of noni in humans.
(1) Appropriately designed randomized, placebo-control, double-blinded clinical studies in humans
to determine bioavailability, safety, and long-term effects of noni and its bioactive components.
(2) Determine herb-drug interactions of noni, specifically with anti-diabetic medications.
Given the fact that multiple components of natural products can act synergistically to impart a greater
biological effect than any given single component, there is an urgent need to develop techniques to not
only identify the complex chemical components of noni products, but also establish a chemical or
metabolite fingerprint for a specific biological effect. Furthermore, it is critical to understand that various
noni products have diverse chemical profiles and may, therefore, have an assortment of biological effects
and health benefits.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported partly by grants to PVN from National Institute of Food and Agriculture
(HAW05023-R and HAW00598-H), United States Department of Agriculture; National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (R21AT003719), Research Centers in Minority Institutions
Program, National Center for Research Resources (G12RR003061) and National Center for Minority
Health Disparity (P20MD000173), National Institutes of Health. Contents of this review are solely the
responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the funding agencies.
We thank Vivek R. Nerurkar, Professor and Chair, Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical
Microbiology and Pharmacology, Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, John A. Burns,
School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, for proof reading and editing the manuscript.
Author Contributions
P.V.N. was invited to contribute a review article to the journal of Molecules. P.V.N. conceived the
topic under review, analyzed and interpreted the published data assessing the anti-diabetic properties,
clinical safety, clinical trials and toxicity cases reported in this study, and wrote the manuscript.
Both, P.H. and E.S. assisted P.V.N. in assimilating tables and editing the manuscript. P.V.N. has primary
responsibility for final content of this manuscript. All authors have read and approved the manuscript.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that they do not have any competing interests. The authors further declare that
they have no affiliations to Tahitian noni juice or any other commercial noni products.
Molecules 2015, 20
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Appendix
Table A1. Chemicals in diverse noni fruit preparations, including commercial NJ.
Type of Noni Products and Country of Origin [ref]
Identified Chemicals and Bioactivities

A new anthraquinone, 1,5,15-tri-O-methylmorindol, and two new saccharide fatty acid esters, 2-O-(-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-O-hexanoyl--D-
Laboratory prepared NJ, Okinawa, Japan [56]
gluropyranose and 2-O-(-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-O-octanoyl--D-gluropyranose, were isolated from a methanol extract of noni fruits along with
10 known compounds, namely, two anthraquinones, six saccharide fatty acid esters, an iridoid glycoside, and a flavanol glycoside.
Bioactivities: Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer
Noni fruits from Tahiti [118]
Scopoletin, rutin and quecertin, methanol, butanol

Bioactivities: amino butyric acid (GABA) agonist activity in vitro
Raw noni fruits from French Polynesia (Tahiti, Moorea, and Motu
Fareone), Tonga, Dominican, Republic, Okinawa, Thailand, and Hawaii
Commercial noni fruit juice from Tahiti, Dominican Republic, Hawaii,
and Costa Rica
Iridoid glucosides scopoletin, rutin, fatty acid glucosides, anthraquinones, asperulosidic acid, deacetylasperulosidic acid and rutin
Bioactivities: not determined.
Noni fruit powder capsule from French Polynesia, Hainan, South China
Sea, Hawaii, and Indonesia [110]
Chemical constituents from the stems of noni plants
(Karachi, Pakistan) [119]
Chemical constituents from noni fruits (Karachi, Pakistan) [120]
morindicone (9-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-methyl-3,10-anthracenedione), morinthone (4-methoxy-3-heptadecylxanthone),

1-hydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone and 2-hydroxymethylanthraquinone
Bioactivities: not determined
New chemical:, morinaphthalenone Three known compounds: scopoletin, 1, 3-dimethoxy-anthraquinone and 1, 2-dihydroxy-anthraquinone
New anthraquinones: 1,6-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-2-methoxymethylanthraquinone and 1,5,7-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-2methoxymethylanthraquinone, and one new lignin: isoamericanoic acid A. Known compounds identified: scopoletin, luteolin, americanin A,
Noni fruits (Taiwan) [121]
americanin D, 3,3-bisdemethylpinoresinol, p-cresol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde,

4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamaldehyde, and 2,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde
Two new benzophenones: morintrifolins A and B, were isolated together with 14 known anthraquinones
Chloroform-soluble extract of freeze-dried noni root powder obtained

from Natures Sunshine Products, Inc. (Spanish Fork, UT, USA) [122]
Bioactivities: four isolated known anthraquinones: 1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone, 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone,

2-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)anthraquinone, and 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone induced quinone reductase (QR)-activity in Hepa lclc7
murine hepatoma cells
Molecules 2015, 20
17702
Table A1. Cont.

NDichloromethane extracts of noni roots
(kg. Tanjung Keramat, Langkap, Perak, Malaysia) [123]
Volatile oils were isolated from samples of frozen, dried and roasted
leaves (Society Islands of French Polynesia) [124]
Aqueous extracts of Morinda officinalis roots (China) [125]

Nordamnacanthal
Palmitic acid and E-phytol
Bioactivities: Components of aromatic volatile oils from noni leaves
Polysaccharides
Bioactivities: increased bone mineral density, bone mineral contents and reduced serum cytokines in rats
New compounds: Morinaphthalene and morindafurone Known compounds: 1,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methyl-9-anthrone and
Noni fruits (Karachi, Pakistan) [126]
2,4-dimethoxy-9-anthrone
Methanol extracts of noni leaves (French Polynesia) [127]

Noni leaf and noni fruit extracts (Agriculture Park, Univ. Putra Malaysia,
Malaysia) [128]
Ethanol extracts of Morinda officinalis How root powder (China) [129]
Ethanol extracts of Morinda officinalis How root powder (China) [130]
Ethanol extracts of M. officinalis root powder (Zhaoqing city, Guangdong
Province, China) [131]
Rutin, kaempferol-3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl-(16)--D-glucopyranoside, quercetin, and kaempferol

Catechin, epicatechin and rutin
Bioactivities: Extracts inhibited lipoprotein lipase activity in vitro
2-Hydr-oxy-1-methoxy-anthraquinone monohydrate
3-Hydr-oxy-1,2-dimethoxy-anthraquinone
Polysaccharides: an inulin-type fructan MP-1, and acidic polysaccharides: MP-2, and MP-3 consisting of galacturonic acid,
arabinose and galactose
Bioactivities: anti-fatigue activity in male Sprague Dawley (SD) mice
Physicion (1), rubiadin-1-methyl ether (2), 2-hydroxy-1-methoxy- anthraquinone (3), 1,2-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone (4),
Ethanolic extract of the roots of Morinda officinalis

(Shanghai Hua Yu Chinese Herbs Co. Ltd.,Shanghai, China) [132]
1,3,8-trihydroxy-2-methoxy-anthraquinone (5), 2-hydroxymethyl-3-hydroxyanthraquinone (6), 2-methoxyanthraquinone (7) and scopoletin (8)

Bioactivities: compounds 2 and 3 increased osteoblast proliferation, compounds 4 and 5 increased osteoblast alkaline phosphatase activity. All of
the isolated compounds inhibited osteoclast tartrate resistant acid phosphatase activity and bone resorption. Compounds 1 and 5 strongly inhibited
osteoclastic bone resorption.
New anthraquinone glycosides: digiferruginol-1-methylether-11-O-beta-gentiobioside; digiferruginol-11-O-beta-primeveroside;
Noni root extracts (Kobe, Japan) [133]
damnacanthol-11-O-beta-primeveroside; 1-methoxy-2-primeverosyloxymethyl-anthraquinone-3-olate;
1-hydroxy-2-primeverosyloxymethyl-anthraquinone-3-olat; and 1-hydroxy-5,6-dimethoxy-2-methyl-7-primeverosyloxyanthraquinone
Ethanolic extract from noni seeds (French Polynesia) [134]
Ursolic acid, 3,3-Bisdemethylpinoresinol, americanin A, and quercetin

Bioactivities: anti-oxidant, radical scavenging and inhibition of tyrosinase and elastase enzymes in vitro
Molecules 2015, 20
17703
Table A1. Cont.

Laboratory prepared ethanol extracts from powdered noni roots, Kelantan,
Malaysia [135]
Methanol extracts of noni fruits (Kampung Seronok, Penang, Malaysia) [136]

A new anthraquinone: 2-ethoxy-1-hydroxyanthraquinone Known anthraquinones: 1-hydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone, damnacanthal,
nordamnacanthal, 2-formyl-1-hydroxyanthraquinone and morindone-6-methyl-ether
Bioactivities: 1-hydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone and damnacanthal exhibited larvicidal activities against the larvae of Aedes aegypti.
7-Hy-droxy-6-meth-oxy-2H-chromen-2-one
New iridoid glycoside: 9-epi-6-methoxy geniposidic New hemiterpene glycosides: 3-methylbut-3-enyl 2-O-(-D-glucopyranosyl)- -Dglucopyranoside (nonioside K), 3-methylbut-3-enyl 6-O-(-D-xylopyranosyl)- -D-glucopyranoside (nonioside L), 3-methylbut-3-enyl 6-O-(-D-
Laboratory prepared ethanolic extracts of noni fruits cultivated in Okinawa,
xylofuranosyl)- -D-glucopyranoside (nonioside M) New saccharide fatty acid esters: 6-O-(-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-O-[(2xi)-2-methylbutanoyl]-
Japan [57]
-D-glucopyranose (nonioside N) and 6-O-(-D-xylopyranosyl)-1-O-[(2)-2-methylbutanoyl]--D-glucopyranose (nonioside O)

Bioactivities: new and known compounds exhibited melanogenesis inhibitory activities in the -melanocyte-stimulating hormone
(-MSH)-stimulated B16 melanoma cell without any toxicity.
Aqueous extracts of Morinda morindoides leaves
Bioactive chemicals unidentified
(Abidjan, Cte dIvoire) [137]
Bioactivities: antimicrobial efficacy against Vibrio cholerae O:1 in vitro
Methanol extract of Morinda morindoides fruits (Democratic Republic of the
6-O-acetyl congener
Congo) [138]
Bioactivities: anti-malarial activities against P. falciparum, but no cytotoxicity against the host KB 3-, human, black, cervix carcinoma cells in vitro
Ethanol extracts from powdered Morinda officinalis roots, Fujian Province,
Inulin-type oligosaccharides
China [139]
Crude alcohol extracts from Morinda morindoides leaves, Kinshasa [140]

Commercial TNJ [43,141]
Noni fruits, source unknown [142,143]
Epoxygaertneroside and Gaertneroside

Bioactivities: ex-vivo spasmogenic and spasmolytic activities in ileums isolated from guinea pigs
Catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and rutin, scopoletin, 5,15-dimethyl-morindol and (2E,4Z,7Z) diactorienoic acid
Iridoids (deacetylasperulosidic acid and asperulosidic acid)
Coumarin, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and iridoids
Laboratory prepared NJ, Costa Rica [16]
Bioactivities: reduced carrageenan-induced paw oedema, inhibited cyclooxygenase COX-1 and COX-2 activities, production of nitric oxide (NO)
and prostaglandins E(2) (PGE(2)) in activated J774 cells
Commercial NJ, West Indies [23]
An aqueous extract of NJ, Thailand [35]
Flavonoids, triterpenoids, triterpenes and saponins

Bioactivities: anti-diabetic and hepatoprotective properties in vivo
Scopoletin
Bioactivities: prevented acid reflux esophagitis, reduced gastric lesions and accelerated the healing of chronic gastric ulcers in rats
Molecules 2015, 20
17704
Table A1. Cont.

50 compounds identified from leaf oils mostly containing alpha-terpinene and beta-bisabolene, while root oil contained 18 compounds, the major
Leaf and root oils from Morinda lucida, West Africa [144]
constituents being 3-fluoro-p-anidine and hexadecanoic acid

Bioactivities: anti-oxidant activity in vitro
Laboratory prepared methanol extract from noni fruits, Kumming,

China [145].
Tahitian noni juice [141]
Two new phenylpropanoids: methyl 3-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl) propionate, butyl 3-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)propionate and

one unusual propanoate,5-hydroxyhexyl 2-hydroxypropanoate
Scopoletin, 5,15-dimethyl-morindol and (2E,4Z,7Z)deactrienoic ecid
Bioactivities: Improved fecundity as well as facilitate pregnancy and fetal health in mice
n-Butanol extracts from ethanol soluble fractions of Morinda citrifolia fresh
(2E,4E,7Z)-deca-2,4,7-trienoate-2-O--D-glucopyranosyl--D-glucopyranoside and amyl-1-O--D-apio-furanosyl-1,6-O--D-glucopyranoside
fruit, Hainan Province, China [146]

New saccharide fatty acid esters: nonioside P, nonioside Q, nonioside R, nonioside S, nonioside T and butyl 2-hydroxysuccinate
Methanol extracts, from Morinda citrifolia fruits, Okinawa [147]
(4-butoxy-3-hydroxy-4-oxobutanoic acid) as well as 26 known compounds

Bioactivities: cytotoxic activities in human cancer cell lines (HL-60 and AZ521), inhibition of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA)
activation in Raji cells
Methanol extracts from fruits and leaves of Morinda citrifolia L. [148]
Scopoletin
Bioactivities: extracts demonstrated anti-angiogenic activity in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay.
Methanol extracts from ripe fruits of Morinda citrifolia, Andaman and
Polyphenols, anthocyanin, carotenoids, tannins and ascorbic acid
Nicobar Islands, India [38]
Bioactivities: anti-oxidant activity in vitro
Laboratory prepared methanol extracts from noni roots, Korea [81]
Ethanol extracts from noni fruit puree with seeds MO, USA [149]
Acetoacetate extracts from the roots of Morinda officinalis,

Southern China [150]
Three anthroquinones: 1,2-dimethoxyanthraquinone, alizarin-2-methyl ether and rubiadin-1-methyl ether

Bioactivities: promoted adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes
Anthroquinones: alizarin, lucidin, rubiadin
Monotropein (iridoids glycoside)
Bioactivities: anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis and anti-catabolic activity in chondrocytes with proposed role for cartilage protection
during osteoarthritis
Laboratory prepared methanol extracts from Morinda longifolia leaves,
longifolides A and B
Vietnam [151]
Molecules 2015, 20
17705
Table A1. Cont.

Laboratory prepared ethanolic extracts from Morinda umbellata,
Taipei [152]

1,6-dihydroxy-2-methoxymethylanthraquinone, 6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-methoxymethylanthraquinone, 3,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2methylanthraquinone, and 6-hydroxy-2-methoxymethylanthraquinone
Bioactivities: cytotoxic against human hepatoma cells, HepG2
Laboratory prepared methanol extracts from unripe noni fruit,
Scopoletin, rutin
Thailand [141,153]
Bioactivities: antidopaminergic and antiadrenergic in vitro
Ethanolic extracts of freeze-dried noni fruits and leaves obtained from French
Ursolic acid, rutin and kaempferol-3-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl-(16)--D-glucopyranoside
Polynesia [21]
Bioactivities: anti-allergenic (dermatitis) effects in mice
Morinda officinalis samples obtained from Xinyi, Maoming, Yangchun,
Seven inulin-type oligosaccharides
Shaoguan, Xingan, Meizhou, Deqing (Guangdong Province), Linga, Zhuhai

(Hainan Province) and Baise (Guangxi Province), China [154]

Flavanol glycosides: quercetin 3-O-rutinoside-7-O-hexoside quercetin 3-O-rutinoside-7-O-pentoside, quercetin 3-O-rutinoside and
kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside.
Anthraquinones: Lucidin.
Morinda citrifolia L. powder and lemon juice (5%, w/v), Equador [155]
Flavones Glycosides: apigenin 6,8-di-C-glucoside, diosmetin 6,8-di-C-glucoside, diosmetin 7-O-rutinoside. flavanones

Glycosides: Eriodictyol 7-O-rutinoside, Hesperetin 7-O-rutinoside.
Xanthones glycosides: mangiferin, mangiferin gallate, iso mangiferin gallate
Bioactivities: Anti-oxidant activities in vitro
Methanol extracts from Morinda citrifolia L. leaves, India [156]
44-coumaric acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, vanillin and ferulic acid
Damnacanthal is a known anthraquinone in noni.
Pure damnacanthal chemical [157,158]
Bioactivities: regulation of cellular signaling pathways, inhibition of mast cell activation, release of granule compounds viz., beta-hexosaminidase and
tryptase as well as release of chemokine and cytokines from stimulated mast cells in vitro and anti-cancer activities in human hepatoma cells, HepG2
One new anthraquinone: and 18 known anthraquinones
Extracts of Morinda elliptica Ridl stem (Pattani province, Thailand) [159]
Bioactivities: All demonstrated weak inhibitory activity against a susceptible strain of Staphylococcus aureus and a methicillin-resistant S. aureus.
In addition, damnacanthal was also inhibited Microsporum gypseum and lucidin inhibited Entamoeba histolytica and giardia intestinalis.
Morinda officinalis F. C. How roots (Guangzhou Zhixin Pharmaceuticals Co.
Oligosaccharide: Bajijiasu
Ltd., Guangzhou, China) [160]
Bioactivities: improved male fertility in mice
Extracts of Morinda tinctoria leaves (Visakhapatnam, India) [161]

Chloroform fraction of Morinda lucida leaves (Mampong, Ghana) [162]
New compounds: cynarin and oleuropein

Bioactivities: antioxidant properties in vitro
New tetracyclic iridoid, molucidin
Bioactivities: anti-trypanosomal activity normal and cancer human cells in vitro
Molecules 2015, 20
17706
Table A2. Commercial noni products.
Noni Juice and Drinks
Noni Capsules Tablets, Soft Gels and Other Products
6 Blend Juice (Goji, Noni, Acai, Pomegranate, Mangosteen, Camu), LifeTime
Apollo noni capsules
Agrolabs Naturally Noni Organic Dietary Supplement Juice
Apollo noni powder
Apollo noni juice
Apollo noni tablets
Apollo noni energy drink
Big Island noni capsules
Big Island noni juice
Doctors Best Noni Concentrate
Biorganic Life Noni Juice
Dynamic Health Noni capsules
Biorganic Life Triple Strength Noni Supreme Juice with Acai
Hawaiian herbal blessings-noni capsules
Dynamic Health Laboratories, Inc. Morinda citrifolia High Potency
Noni Maui noni capsules
Dynamic Health Laboratories, Inc. Morinda citrifolia noni juice
Noni Maui noni powder
Dynamic Health Mens Choice Vitality Formula Noni Juice
Puritans Pride noni capsules
Dynamic Health Noni for Men Vitality Formula
Spring Valley Noni Dietary Supplement Softgels
Dynamic Health Papaya with Apple Cider Vinegar and Noni

Dynamic Health Womens Choice Formula Noni Juice
Other Products
Earths Bounty Organic Tahitian Noni
Hawaiian noni Honey
Earths Bounty Tahitian Organic Noni Juice

Genesis Today Organic NONI
Hawaiian herbal blessings-noni juice
Hawaiian Ola Noni Energy Drink
Hawaiian Virgin noni juice
Natures noni juice
NHT Global noni juice
Noni and goji juice blends, HIRO Energy
Noni Energy
Noni Mangosteen Goji Acai Juice Blend LifeTime 32 oz Liquid
Noni Maui noni juice
NOW Foods Organic Noni Superfruit Juice
Puna noni juice
Purva Vita Noni juice
Raw noni juice
Sammi Noni and Ginseng Energy Drink
Tahitian noni juice
Virgin Noni Juice
Vitacost Organic Certified Tropical Noni Juice
Wai Lana Raw Aged Hawaiian Noni Juice Nutritional Supplement
Molecules 2015, 20
17707
Table A3. Studies demonstrating anti-inflammatory effects of noni.
Noni Product (Source of Noni) [ref]
Relevant Study Outcomes
Aqueous extracts of noni fruits (Jamaica) [163]
Inhibited bradykinin-induced paw inflammation in mice and rats
Four saccharide fatty acid esters and one anthraquinone isolated from a
Reduced TPA-induced inflammatory ear edema after 6 h in female ICR mice.
methanol extract of powdered noni fruit (Okinawa) [56]
Inhibited TPA-induced activation of Epstein-Barr Virus after 48 h in Raji human lymphoblastoid cells.
Methanolic extract of Noni fruit powder [164]
Reduced nitric oxide synthesis through inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibition after 48 h in LPS-activated murine periodontal macrophages.
Phytochemicals isolated from noni fruits (Tahiti) [165]
Inhibited lipooxygenase activities in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and rabbit reticulocytes.
Reduced cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 enzymatic activity.
Reduced inflammation in human monocytes 24 h after LPS-stimulation by inhibiting MMP-9 release to a similar degree as hydrocortisone.
Alcohol extract of noni puree from ripe fruits (French Polynesia) [58]
Reduced pain sensitivity in a hot plate test in male NMRI mice.

Overall reduce arthritis pain and joint degeneration in mice.
Chloroform extract of powdered noni roots (Taiwan) [47]

Damnacanthal, isolated from crude noni root extract
Chloroform phase and damnacanthal reduced formalin-induced pain behavior in male ddY mice after 30 min.
Chloroform phase and damnacanthal inhibited histamine-induced paw edema similar to diphenhydramine after 3 h.
Damnacanthal displaced histamine from binding to H1 receptor in HEK-293 cells after 1 h.
Aqueous extracts of noni fruits (Jamaica) [163]
Inhibited bradykinin-induced paw inflammation in mice and rats
Four saccharide fatty acid esters and one anthraquinone isolated from a
Reduced TPA-induced inflammatory ear edema after 6 h in female ICR mice.
methanol extract of powdered noni fruit (Okinawa) [56]
Inhibited TPA-induced activation of Epstein-Barr Virus after 48 h in Raji human lymphoblastoid cells.
Methanolic extract of Noni fruit powder [164]
Reduced nitric oxide synthesis through inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibition after 48 h in LPS-activated murine periodontal macrophages.
Phytochemicals isolated from noni fruits (Tahiti) [165]
Inhibited lipooxygenase activities in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and rabbit reticulocytes.
Reduced cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 enzymatic activity.
Reduced inflammation in human monocytes 24 h after LPS-stimulation by inhibiting MMP-9 release to a similar degree as hydrocortisone.
Alcohol extract of noni puree from ripe fruits (French Polynesia) [58]
Reduced pain sensitivity in a hot plate test in male NMRI mice.

Overall reduce arthritis pain and joint degeneration in mice.
Chloroform extract of powdered noni roots (Taiwan) [47]

Damnacanthal, isolated from crude noni root extract
Ethanol extract from fresh unripe fruits of Morinda citrifolia
(Thailand) [37]
Damnacanthal, an anthraquinone isolated from fruits
Chloroform phase and damnacanthal reduced formalin-induced pain behavior in male ddY mice after 30 min
Chloroform phase and damnacanthal inhibited histamine-induced paw edema similar to diphenhydramine after 3 h.
Damnacanthal displaced histamine from binding to H1 receptor in HEK-293 cells after 1 h.
Fruit extract reduced carrageenen-induced paw and EPP-induced ear edema in male Wistar rats and Swiss albino mice.
Damnacanthal inhibited NFB induction via cyclooxygenase 2/inducible nitric oxide synthase pathway after 12 h. in LPS-stimulated macrophages.
Molecules 2015, 20
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Table A3. Cont.
Noni Product (Source of Noni) [ref]

Aqueous extracts of unripe noni powder (Songkhla province,
Thailand) [35]
Scopoletin isolated from fruits
Noni juice prepared by enzymatic digestion of fruit puree
(Costa Rica) [16]
Scopoletin, rutin and quercetin isolated from TNJ (Tahiti, USA) [166]
Monotropein isolated from M. officinalis roots (Korea) [167]
Relevant Study Outcomes

Accelerated healing of chronic gastric ulcers in male Wistar rats.
Prevented acid reflux esophagitis, and reduced ethanol-induced acute gastric lesion in vivo.
Inhibited COX 1 and 2 enzymatic activity in vitro.
Reduced interferon , nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 levels in LPS-activated J774 macrophages after 24 h
Inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema for 124 h, following gavage or IP administration of noni juice or indomethacin.
Scopoletin and quercetin Inhibited nitric oxide in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages.
Scopoletin and quercetin induced quinone reductase activity in Hepa 1c1c7 mouse hepatocytes.
Reduced iNOS, PGE2, COX-2, TNF-, IL-1 protein levels and DNA binding activity of NFB in RAW 264.7 LPS-activated macrophages after 24 h.
Inhibited inflammation in (DSS)-induced colitis in male ICR mice after 18 days.
Ethanol extract of Noni seeds (French Polynesia) [168]
Ethanol extract and 3,3-bisdemethylpino resinol inhibited MMP-1 secretion in UVA-irradiated normal human dermal fibroblasts after 48 h.
3,3-bisdemethylpino resinol isolated from extract
3,3-bisdemethylpino resinol reduced p38 and c-Jun-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation 30 min post UVA-irradiation.
Methanol extract of noni roots (unknown location) [169]
Juice obtained from M. citrifolia fruits fermented for one year and
pasteurized (Xuejia District, Tainan City, Taiwan) [87]
NJ prepared by fermenting the fruits for one year (Taiwan) [86]
Inhibited the iNOS, COX-2, TNF- and NFB in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.
Reduced carrageenan-induced edema in rats
Reduced liver and visceral fat, serum/liver lipids and enhanced fecal lipid/bile acid excretion in high-fat diet-fed hamsters.
Mechanisms involved increased hepatic antioxidant capacities and lowered hepatic COX-2, TNF-, and IL-1 expressions, serum ALT values in
high-fat diet-fed hamsters.
Inhibited oxidation by increasing hepatic TEAC and GSH in alcohol-diet fed male C57BL/6 mice after 4 weeks.
Reduced P38, ERK 1/2, NFB P65, iNOS, COX-2, TNF- and IL-1 protein levels and inhibited TLR2/4 mRNA expression.
Commercial TNJ [105]
Reduced c-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine levels in heavy smoking humans after 30 days.
Ethyl acetate extract of dried noni fruit powder (Taiwan) [170]
Inhibited H. Pylori-induced inflammation in AGS cells by reducing CagA, TNF-, IL-8, iNOS and COX-2 protein levels after 6 h.
Colostro noni, commercial noni product, containing bovine
Increased cell turn over and IL-8 mRNA gene expression in cultured intestinal cell line, Caco2.
colostrum and freeze-dried Morinda citrifolia [171]
Hypothesized to promote tissue repair and prevent gastrointestinal inflammation.
Ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of fermented noni fruit extracts
The fermented noni fruit extracts promoted growths of probiotic bacteria, Lactilobacillus and Bifidobacterium and down-regulated the intracellular
(Taiwan) [172]
oxidation and inflammation in human intestinal, Caco-2 cells.
Molecules 2015, 20
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Molecules 2015, 20, 17684-17719; doi:10.

Anti-Diabetic Potential of Noni: The Yin and the Yang

Modern Usage a [ref]

Topical burns, headaches, fevers, neonatal

To treat tuberculosis, helmintic infections, oxidative

Sores in mouth, peeling or cracking of

To treat bacterial and viral infections, cancer, pain,

Noni Plant Parts

Modern Usage a [ref]

Stonefish poisoning, topical infections,

No modern uses identified.

Topical infections, stomach pain * [13].

To treat viral infections, hypertension, cancer,

Cure cutaneous leishmaniasis [49].

To treat hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress or

Sore eyes, topical burns [8].

No modern uses identified.

Noni Product (Source of Noni)

Ethyl acetate extract of shade dried

Water, ethanol and chloroform extracts of

Relevant Study Outcome

Prevented neuronal diabetic complications such as

Improved glucose uptake in cultured C2C12

Inhibited -amylase in vitro that was isolated from

1.1. Anti-Diabetic Properties of Noni

Study Outcomes [ref]

One cup of Morinda

320 diabetic patients (42%

Morinda citrifolia was

520 individuals undertook

Noni had no effect on

1.5. Clinical Studies Evaluating Safety and Health Benefits of Noni

Study Rationale [ref]

Subject Demographics and Outcomes

Case report based on

Freeze dried whole noni fruit 500 mg

Phase I clinical trials to

Advanced stage cancer patients without any

TNJ, Morinda Inc., Provo, UT, USA

28 males and 68 females

NJ, Morinda, Provo, UT, USA

Three participants in placebo group and five

TNJ, Morinda Inc., Provo, UT, USA

203 heavy smokers, 18 to 65 years old.

Type of Noni Products, Dosage

Study Rationale [ref]

Subject Demographics and Outcomes

TNJ, Morinda Inc., Provo, UT, USA

285 heavy smokers, 18 to 65 years old

Tahitian Noni Original Bioactive

Determine the effects of

42 overweight male and female volunteers

Investigate the effects

132 adult smokers, 18 to 65 years old

TNJ, Morinda Inc., Provo, UT, USA.

TNJ, Morinda Inc., Provo, UT, USA.

Noni capsules containing 400 mg of

Pre-operational cross-sectional survey conducted

Dried noni fruit extract