Morinda citrifolia Linn Leaf Extract Possesses Antioxidant Activities and Reduces Nociceptive Behavior and Leukocyte Migration

Abstract

Herbal drugs have been used since ancient times to treat a wide range of diseases. Morinda citrifolia Linn (popularly known as "Noni") has been used in folk medicine by Polynesians for over 2,000 years. It is reported to have a broad range of therapeutic effects, including effects against headache, fever, arthritis, gingivitis, respiratory disorders, infections, tuberculosis, and diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antibacterial properties of the aqueous extract from M. citrifolia leaves (AEMC). Antioxidant activity was observed against lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, and hydroxyl radicals. The antinociceptive effect of AEMC was observed in the acetic acid-induced writhing test at the higher dose. Moreover, AEMC significantly reduced the leukocyte migration in doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg and showed mild antibacterial activity. Together, the results suggest that properties of M. citrifolia leaf extract should be explored further in order to achieve newer tools for managing painful and inflammation conditions, including those related to oxidant states.

Evaluation of pharmacological activities of methanol extract of Ixora cuneifolia leaves

“…The acetic acid induced writhing is the recommended protocol for evaluating peripheral analgesic activity of medicinal plants. Intraperitoneal administration of acetic acid causes an increase in the level of prostaglandins specially PGE2 and PGF2α [45], lipooxygenase products [46], acetylcholine [47] and histamine [48] in the peritoneal fluids. These endogenous products results in pain and inflammation and as the extract inhibited the number of writhing, it might be correlated with its analgesic activity by the inhibition of the pain mediators.…”

Do the Health Claims Made for Morinda citrifolia (Noni) Harmonize with Current Scientific Knowledge and Evaluation of its Biological Effects

“…Part of the antioxidant activity may be due to lipid soluble polyphenols, anthraquinones, α-tocopherol, and β-carotene present in Noni as many natural phytochemicals have been demonstrated to promote antioxidant in cancer cells, including phenolics, alkaloids, damnacanthal, and flavonoids (Alshawti et al, 2011;Serafini et al, 2011). It has also been reported that most natural antioxidant compounds often work synergistically with each other to produce a broad spectrum of effects against free radical attack.…”

Antioxidant and Anticancer activities of yeast grown on commercial media

“…The role of antioxidants in nutrition and health, as well as their mechanisms of action, have been extensively researched (Serafini et al, 2011). Although the biological functions of polyphenols and/or metabolism in the human body are not completely established, there is a consensus that the antioxidant activity of flavonoids could be a combination of metal chelating properties and free radical scavengers (Bravo, 1998).…”