Health Benefits

Health-Related Research

Chemical Constituents of Noni

Following is a partial list of chemical constituents isolated from noni, and their proposed or documented medicinal qualities or cultural significance. The table was assembled from University of Hawaii studies of Noni. There are reportedly numerous other compounds isolated from the noni plant that may have significant biological activity and are currently under investigation.

Noni Plant organ(s)	Compound(s)	Proposed or documented effects of compounds	Discussion & Notes
FRUIT and FRUIT JUICE	Alkaloids (xeronine)	In theory, xeronine enhances enzyme activity and protein structure	According to some authorities, the existence and the proposed effects of the so-called alkaloid, xeronine, and/or the compound, pre-xeronine*, have not been substantiated.
	Polysaccharides (glucuronic acid; galactose; arabinose; rhamose; glycosides; trisaccharide fatty acid ester)	Immuno-stimulatory; immuno-modulatory; anti-bacterial; anti-tumor; anti-cancer.	A promising area for research and a highly beneficial set of compounds.
	Scopoletin	Dilates vasculature & lowers blood pressure; anti-bacterial & anti-fungal; anti-inflammatory; analgesic; histamine-inhibiting; arthritic conditions; allergies; sleep disorders; migraine headaches; depression; Alzheimer’s disease.	Potentially wide applications.
	Vitamins and Minerals: magnesium; iron; potassium; selenium; zinc; copper; sulfur; ascorbic acid (vitamin C).	The positive medical effects of the vitamins and minerals in noni juice are well documented. For any questions or medical and health concerns, consult a physician or dietician.	Noni juice is an excellent source of vitamin C.
FOLIAGE & CELL SUSPENSIONS	Anthraquinones (damnacanthal)	Antiseptic & antibacterial effects in digestive tract (Staphylococcus, Shingela, Salmonella).	Internal application.
	Glycosides (flavonol glycoside; iridoid glycoside, “citrifolinoside”)	Anti-cancer effects: (DPPH free radical scavenging activity; inhibition of UVB-induced Activator Protein-1 activity in cell cultures.	Discovery reported in 2001.
ROOTS	Anthraquinones (damnacanthal)	Inhibits formation of lung carcinoma in mice.	Research from University of Hawai’i at Manoa
	Morindin and Morindone	Dyes, yellow and red colorants used for tapa cloth; anti-bacterial.	Culturally significant.

Some Traditional and Modern Uses of Noni

(1) Some traditional uses of the noni plant. The information in this table was gathered from published ethnobotanical literature about noni.

Plant organ	Preparation	Use
Leaf	Fresh	Wrap and flavor meat for cooking, livestock fodder, silkworm food, topical burns, headaches, fever
	Tea	Malaria, febrifuge, analgesic
	Poultice	Tuberculosis, sprains, deep bruising, rheumatism, fever, stings from stonefish, bone fractures, dislocations
	Extract	Hypertension, bleeding caused by a bone puncture.
		Stomach ache, fractures, diabetes, loss of appetite, urinary tract ailments, abdominal swelling, hernias, Vitamin A deficiency
	Vapor when broken	Sties
Fruit	Unripe	Sores or scabs around or in the mouth
	Ripe	Famine food, sore throat gargle (mashed), peeling or cracking of the toes and feet (crushed), body or intestinal worms, cuts, wounds, abscesses, mouth and gum infections, toothaches, appetite and brain stimulant, pig food
	Poultice	Boils, carbuncles, tuberculosis, sprains, deep bruising, rheumatism
	Oil	Stomach ulcers
	Extract	Hypertension
Stem		Canoe parts, paddles, axe and adze handles, digging sticks, firewood, red pigment
	Decoction of bark	Jaundice
	Extract	Hypertension
Seed	Oil	Scalp insecticide, insect repellent
Flowers		Sties
Roots		Carving, yellow pigment,
Roots	Juice	Badly infected cut
All Parts of the Plant		Laxative

(2) Modern Applications for Noni as CAM (Complementary Alternative Medicine).*

ADD/ADHD, addictions, allergies, arthritis, asthma, brain problems, burns, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue, diabetes, digestive problems, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, gout, hypertension, immune deficiency, infection, inflammation, jet lag, multiple sclerosis, muscle and joint pain, polio, rheumatism, severed fingers, sinus, veterinary medicine.

Source : Etkin and McMillen (2003)

*Caution: The US Food and Drug Administration does not approve the use of noni nor recognize it’s effectiveness for these maladies.

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