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Nature's Noni
Discoveries
Morinda citrifolia, commonly known as noni,
has been and still is used in Polynesian folk medicine as a panacea
or cure-all. In reviewing the scientific literature on noni,
we find very few credible references describing phytochemical
investigations. However, folkloric and anecdotal literature is
abundant. Morinda citrifolia is called "Indian mulberry" in
India where the leaf, roots and fruit of the plant are used for
various medicinal purposes. In Polynesia, the fruit is commonly
used for pain relief associated with arthritic joint ailments.
The juice of the fruit is consumed as a beverage, and the skin
of the fruit is used as a poultice for pain and wound healing.
Noni juice has been shown to be a potent cancer preventative
through stimulation of the immune system and by promoting antioxidant
activity.1
Dr. William J. Keller, Vice President of Health Sciences and
Educational Services at Nature's Sunshine Products, realizes
the benefit of preserving and protecting good health and therefore
has made a commitment to further investigate and substantiate
the folkloric uses of this medicinal fruit. While noni's traditional
uses are known, very little information is available for the
compounds responsible for health benefits. That is why Dr. Keller
set out to discover and investigate these compounds. Dr. Keller
has collaborated with Dr. Douglas Kinghorn at Ohio State University.
They performed bioassay-directed fractionation of a noni fruit
extract. This led to the isolation of an extremely powerful cancer-chemopreventive
compound named 2-methoxy- 1,3,6-trihydroxyanthraquinone. This
anthraquinone (a novel compound from nature) provides a rare
example of this chemical structural type in fruit tissue. The
new anthraquinone was found to induce quinone reductase at very
low concentrations. This means that the newly discovered anthraquinone
can stimulate Phase II enzyme systems that detoxify and eliminate
cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens) before they can damage
human DNA. At the same time, this induced enzyme can also help
protect and regenerate antioxidants such as vitamin E and coenzyme
Q10 in the body. So, not only can this anthraquinone detoxify
carcinogens, but it also helps preserve existing protective antioxidants
in the body. For this reason, quinine-reductase inducers are
sometimes called "indirect antioxidants."
The Keller and Kinghorn study showed that this new anthraquinone
was 40 times more potent than sulphoraphane, another cancer-chemopreventive
compound found in broccoli. Best of all, this anthraquinone showed
no cellular toxicity even in the highest concentrations tested.
Therefore, while noni appears to contain a potent cancer chemopreventive
compound, it is nontoxic to healthy cells in the body.
We view this research as a commitment to the values of Quality,
Service, and Integrity that are so important to Nature's Sunshine
Products and its distributors. NSP Managers know first-hand the
benefits of noni because they use it in their practice to promote
health. Now, through our scientific efforts, we know why this
amazing plant has helped people throughout the world maintain
good health.
Drs. Keller and Kinghorn published their work in the Journal
of Natural Products 68:1720 (2005).
1) Proc West Pharmacol Soc. 39:7 (1996)
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