Anti-Cancer - It has been reported to have broad therapeutic effects, including anticancer activity, in both clinical practice and laboratory animal models. The mechanism for these effects remains unknown. The hypothesis that Morinda citrifolia possesses a cancer preventive effect at the initiation stage of carcinogenesis was studied.

The results suggest that prevention of carcinogen‐DNA adduct formation and the antioxidant activity of TNJ may contribute to the cancer preventive effect of Morinda citrifolia.

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Roots of Morinda citrifolia (Noni or Yor in Thai) are the source of important compounds, anthraquinones, which have been proven to have anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer activities.

In this study, subcritical water extraction was investigated as a benign alternative for solvent extraction of damnacanthal from the dried root of Morinda citrifolia.

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The tendency of pol inhibition showed a positive correlation with the suppression of human colon cancer cell HCT116 growth. These results suggested that the Noni root containing anthraquinones may be used as an anticancer functional food.

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Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that the processed Morinda citrifolia products of the present invention inhibit the growth cancerous cells within the colon.

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Anti-Tumor - The methanol extract from Morinda citrifolia fruits was tested for cytotoxicity activity on the MTT assay.

A concentration of 0.1 mg/mL of crude extract exhibited cytotoxic activity against breast cancer (MCF7) and neuroblastoma (LAN5) cell lines at 29% and 36%, respectively.

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The antitumour activity of Noni‐ppt produced a cure rate of 25%–45% in allogeneic mice and its activity was completely abolished by the concomitant administration of specific inhibitors of macrophages (2‐chloroadenosine), T cells (cyclosporine) or natural killer (NK) cells (anti‐asialo GM1 antibody).

The combination of Noni‐ppt with imexon, a synthetic immunomodulator, also demonstrated beneficial effects, but not when combined with the MVE‐2 copolymer, a high molecular weight immunomodulator.

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Anti-Inflammatory - A new anthraquinone, 1,5,15-tri-O-methylmorindol (1), and two new saccharide fatty acid esters, 2-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-1-O-hexanoyl-β-d-gluropyranose (4) and 2-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-1-O-octanoyl-β-d-gluropyranose (5), have been isolated from a methanol extract of the fruits of Morinda citrifolia (noni) along with 10 known compounds.

Four saccharide fatty acid esters, 5−7 and 9, exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity.

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The anti-inflammatory effects of noni juice were investigated in vitro by: measuring its effect on nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 production by activated macrophages, evaluating its inhibitory activities on cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 and in vivo on a carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in rats.

This study showed that noni's biological effects include: (1) anti-oxidant properties probably associated with phenolic compounds, iridoids and ascorbic acid and (2) anti-inflammatory action through NO and PGE₂ pathways that might also be strengthened by anti-oxidant effects.

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Apoptosis - Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) is a herbal remedy with promising anti-cancer properties. However, its effects on various cancers are to be investigated to make a firm conclusion before implementing it into the clinical practice.

We investigated the cytotoxic potential of noni on Ehrlich ascites tumor grown in female Balb-c mice and also combined it with a potent anti-cancer agent, doxorubicin.

Apoptosis also confirmed by caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18 elevation in serum of the treated groups. Further, the proliferation was decreased, which was immunohistochemically shown by the PCNA staining. We conclude that noni may be useful in the treatment of breast cancer either on its own or in combination with doxorubicin.

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In this study, we used Noni, cisplatin, and the two in combination to study their cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects in cervical cancer HeLa and SiHa cell lines. We demonstrate here, that Noni/Cisplatin by themselves and their combination were able to induce apoptosis in both these cell lines.

Augmentation in the activity of caspase-9 and -3 was also observed, suggesting the involvement of the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis for both Noni and Cisplatin in HeLa and SiHa cell lines.

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We investigated the cytotoxic potential of noni on Ehrlich ascites tumor grown in female Balb‐c mice and also combined it with a potent anti‐cancer agent, doxorubicin.

We conclude that noni may be useful in the treatment of breast cancer either on its own or in combination with doxorubicin. Further studies are warranted to assess the dosage and safety of using noni fruit juice in conjuction with anti‐cancer drugs against breast cancer.

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Arthritis Relief - M. citrifolia is a tropical plant with a long tradition of medicinal use in Polynesia and tropical parts of eastern Asia and Australia. One of its favorite uses is the treatment of painful inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis. The analgesic activity of Noni fruit puree on mice was investigated using the hot plate test.

The findings suggest that preparations of noni fruits are effective in decreasing pain and joint destruction caused by arthritis.

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Athlete Endurance - The ability of noni juice to improve endurance in athletes was evaluated clinically. A placebo-controlled clinical trial with TAHITIAN NONI® Juice (TNJ) was conducted in 40 highly-trained athletes.

The collective results indicate that TNJ improves endurance via potent antioxidant effects. The results warrant human clinical trials to assess the dosages and the feasibility of using TNJ by athletes participating in strenuous sports such as football, rugby, ice hockey, soccer and basketball.

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