Genotoxicity Comparison between Morinda citrifolia Fruit and Seed Substances

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic potential of the fruit and seed powder, fruit puree, and aqueous extracts of Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae, noni). The genotoxic potential of the noni substances was evaluated using in vitro Ames, in vitro chromosomal aberration, and in vivo micronucleus tests. All test procedures were conducted per Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines, and good laboratory practice. None of the noni fruit test substances showed genotoxic signs up to 5000 and 2000 μg/plate in the Ames and micronucleus tests, respectively. In the chromosomal aberration test, neither the fruit puree nor aqueous extract showed structural and numerical aberrations up to 5000 and 4650 μg/mL, respectively, irrespective of metabolic activation, in both 6 h and 24 h treatment groups. The safe ranges of noni fruit and seed powders were up to 2500 and 2100 μg/mL, respectively, in the 6 h treatment group and up to 1600–4100 and 370–450 μg/mL, respectively, in both 6 h and 24 h treatment groups in the presence of metabolic activation. Noni fruit and seeds were safe in terms of genotoxicity under our experimental conditions. Our data are the first to provide valuable genotoxic information on Morinda citrifolia.

Anticancer and chemopreventive potential of Morinda citrifolia L. bioactive compounds: A comprehensive update

“…Notably, no numerical and structural aberration was reported in the chromosomal aberration assay when tested with 5000 and 4650 μg/mL of fruit puree and aqueous extracts in both 6 and 24 h treatment even in the presence of reactive metabolite. The study deduced safe ranges of Noni's seed powders and fruit (2500–2100 μg/mL) in the 6 h treatment group and 1600–4100 and 370–450 μg/mL in both 6 and 24 h group, respectively (Shin et al, 2022). An in vitro chronic toxicity evaluation of Noni's fruit and leaves for 6 months on female mice model revealed worsened liver histology, raised liver injury protein (AST), reduced albumin, and 40% mortality in 3 months time with a dose of 2 mg/mL infused in drinking water with no observed injury in other organs.…”

Comparison of Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antidiabetic Potential of Hydro-Methanolic Extracts Derived from Dried Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) Fruits and Seeds Growing in Sri Lanka

“…After planting, the fruits set in 9 months to 1 year. The unripe fruit is dark green in color, and the ripe fruit is lumpy, green to yellowish white in color, 5 to 10 cm in length, 3-6 cm in width, and contains up to 260 seeds [3]. It has an outer surface covered in polygonal-shaped sections.…”

“…Genotoxicity studies, which included an in vitro Ames test, a chromosomal aberration test, and an in vivo micronucleus test, demonstrate that noni fruits and seeds do not exhibit mutagenic or clastogenic properties. Therefore, noni has the potential to be safely utilized as a therapeutic agent for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical development [3].…”

Comparative Cytotoxic Assessment of Hydro-Methanolic Extracts Derived from Ripe Morinda citrifolia L. Fruit (Fresh, Dried, Pasteurized Juice) and Dried Seeds on Eukaryotic Normal and Carcinogenic Cellular Models

“…Publications highlight the health benefits of noni components (fruit, leaf, stem, and seeds), but safety reports are limited. Regular noni juice consumption reportedly does not cause toxic effects, such as acute toxicity, hepatotoxicity, or sub-chronic toxicity [12]. Despite the worldwide use and pharmacological significance of noni fruit and seeds, the effect of this fresh fruit flesh, dried fruit flesh, pasteurized juice, and dried seeds on cancer and also on normal cells has not yet been examined.…”