Morinda citrifolia noni water extract enhances innate and adaptive immune responses in healthy mice, ex vivo, and in vitro

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

Morinda citrifolia L., commonly known as Noni, has a longstanding history in traditional medicine for treating various diseases. Recently, there has been an increased focus on exploring Noni extracts and phytoconstituents, particularly for their effectiveness against cancers such as lung, esophageal, liver, and breast cancer, and their potential in cancer chemoprevention. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of in vitro and in vivo studies assessing Noni's impact on cancer, alongside an exploration of its bioactive compounds. A systematic review was conducted, encompassing a wide range of scientific databases to gather pertinent literature. This review focused on in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as clinical trials that explore the effects of Noni fruit and its phytoconstituents-including anthraquinones, flavonoids, sugar derivatives, and neolignans-on cancer. The search was meticulously structured around specific keywords and criteria to ensure a thorough analysis. The compiled studies highlight Noni's multifaceted role in cancer therapy, showcasing its various bioactive components and their modes of action. This includes mechanisms such as apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, antiangiogenesis, and immune system modulation, demonstrating significant anticancer and chemopreventive potential. The findings reinforce Noni's potential as a safe and effective option in cancer prevention and treatment. This review underscores the need for further research into Noni's anticancer properties, with the hope of stimulating additional studies and clinical trials to validate and expand upon these promising findings.

Acute and Subchronic Toxicological Study of the Cocktail Extract from Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb, Phyllanthus niruri L. and Morinda citrifolia L

Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb, Phyllanthus niruri L., and Morinda citrifolia L. are Indonesian medicinal herbs used empirically as traditional therapeutics for maintaining health. The cocktail extract of these three plants (CECPM) had been developed and demonstrated immunostimulant activity in rats. This study aimed to evaluate the acute and subchronic toxicity of CECPM in vivo. The acute toxicity assay was conducted by orally administering a range dose of CECPM (313, 625, 1250, 2500, or 5000 mg/kg body weight (bw) on female mice once and then evaluating the toxic symptom every day for 14 days later. The chronic toxicity test was carried out by giving various doses of CECPM (600, 800, and 1000 mg/kg·bw) to female and male rats orally continuously for 90 consecutive days. The signs of toxicities were evaluated at the 90- and 28 days postadministration. The acute oral toxicity assays showed that there was no toxic syndrome and mortality found during the period of the experiment. The lethal dose level (LD50) of CECPM was more than 5000 g/kg, which was categorized as practically non-toxic. Meanwhile, in the sub-chronic toxicity study, some parameters tested at 90 days postadministration and after 28 days of withdrawal, such as the body weight, relative organ weight, food intake, hematological and biochemical blood parameters, and also histopathological examination of five primary tissues (heart, liver, kidney, spleen, and lung) revealed no abnormalities. There was no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for the present study of CECPM 1000 mg/kg·bw of the rat. Therefore, it is concluded that the orally administered CECPM was relatively nontoxic during acute and subchronic toxicology studies.

Constituent analysis, laxative activity, and toxicological evaluation of methanol extract of noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L., Rubiaceae)

Noni fruits have gained considerable popularity as dietary supplements. However, the major constituents, the laxative activity, and the toxicity of Noni fruit remains still unknown. The purpose of the present study was, therefore, to analyze the constituents of methanol extract of Noni fruit by UPLC-MS, and further evaluate laxative activity and safety aspects of this Noni fruit-derived products in mice. UPLC-MS analysis identified eleven major constituents from this Noni fruit extract. Administration of this extract obviously shortened the time of first fecal excrement, significantly increased the total number and the weight of stools, and remarkably restored the intestinal transit to normal level in the constipated mice, with low toxicity to liver and kidney, and meanwhile, the abundance, composition, and function of gut microbiota remained homeostasis. These results revealed the laxative activity of the methanol extract of Noni fruit with low toxicity and no influence on gut microbiota.

Effect of Morinda citrifolia fruit powder on physiological and productive performance of Cavia porcellus

The breeding of guinea pig is part of the pluriactivity for millions of farming families in rural areas from the Peruvian Andean and Amazonian regions and other South American Andean countries. Rearing these specie plays an important source of employment, income, and nutrition for millions of rural families on these countries. The search of natural products for enhancing animal wellbeing, health, and production and thereby of guinea pigs is being searched nowadays. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the ripe fruit powder of Morinda citrifolia on the physiological and productive performance parameters of reared guinea pigs under humid tropical conditions and to find a new use of noni fruit and to improve the guinea pig as an agrifood product. For this purpose, forty-eight male Peru breed guinea pigs sixty days old, were used and distributed into four treatments with diets containing 0, 2, 4 and 8% of the noni ripe fruit powder, with four replicates and 3 guinea pigs each. Erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin profiles, hematological indices MCV (mean cell volume), MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin) and blood metabolites profiles: TP (total protein), ALB (albumin), GLO (globulin), TC (total cholesterol) were determined. The productive performance indices: DWG (daily weight gain), DCFI (daily concentrated feed intake), TFIFM (total feed intake of fresh matter) and TFIDM (total feed intake of dry matter), FRCFM (feed rate conversion for fresh mater) and FRCDM (feed rate conversion for dry matter) were evaluated. The guinea pigs were evaluated at 60, 75 and 90 days old. The interaction between noni fruit powder and the age of guinea pigs produced an increase in the erythrocyte, hematocrit, MCH and MCHC levels at 75 days old, (p < 0.05). The final weight and the daily weight gain increased, while the feed rate conversion for fresh and dry matter decreased, as the level of noni fruit powder in the diet increased until 4% (p < 0.05). Thus, the level of noni ripe fruit powder in the guinea pigs' diets had a positive effect on the erythrocyte, leucocytes, hematocrit, MCH, MCHC levels, the final weight, the daily weight gain, and the feed rate conversion of fresh and dry matter.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Pikad Tri-phol-sa-mut-than remedy, consisting of dried fruits of Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa, Coriandrum sativum L., and Morinda citrifolia L

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Inflammation has been known to possess some essential roles in many diseases, especially those with chronic or severe conditions. Pikad Tri-phol-sa-mut-than, a Thai traditional herbal remedy, has long been used to treat gastrointestinal sicknesses, fever, and severe illness caused by the deformities of Tridosha. In particular, this recipe has also been applied for inflammation-related conditions including gout and rheumatoid arthritis. The Pikad Tri-phol-sa-mut-than recipe consists of dried fruits of three herbs including Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa, Morinda citrifolia L., and Coriandrum sativum L. Each of these plant components of Pikad Tri-phol-sa-mut-than exhibited anti-inflammatory activities. However, anti-inflammatory effect of Pikad Tri-phol-sa-mut-than remedy has not been reported.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of this study was to elucidate the anti-inflammatory activities of Pikad Tri-phol-sa-mut-than extract (TS) against acute and chronic inflammation in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To study the effects of TS on acute inflammation, ethyl phenylpropiolate (EPP)-induced ear edema, carrageenan- and arachidonic acid (AA)-induced hind paw edema models were carried out. In addition, cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation was performed to specify the inhibitory effects of TS on chronic inflammation.

RESULTS

The topical application of TS significantly inhibited EPP-induced ear edema in rats. In the carrageenan- and AA-induced paw edema models, the oral administration of TS significantly reduced paw volumes, compared to those of the control groups. In addition, the 7-day oral treatment of TS demonstrated a significant suppressive effect on cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study revealed that TS possesses anti-inflammatory activities against acute and chronic inflammation. Our studies support the use of TS in traditional medicine, and the development of TS as a novel natural product for treating diseases associated with inflammation.

NK cell-mediated immunostimulatory effects of ethanol extract of Morinda citrifolia (noni) fruit

Background

Morinda citrifolia (Noni) is a plant that has long been used in various products such as foods and cosmetics. Although noni has been known to have immunostimulatory activity, detailed mechanism at the cellular level has not been fully elucidated yet. In this study, we focused on understanding as to how noni fruit can positively stimulate body’s immune responses.

Methods

To do this, an ethanol extract of noni fruit (Mc-fEE) was prepared and administered for 30 days to male C57BL/6 mice for in vivo experiment. NK cell activity and cytokine production level from Mc-fEE-treated mice were analyzed by flowcytometry, real-time PCR, and ELISA. Mc-fEE-triggered molecular events were detected from RAW264.7 cells and splenocytes using Western blotting and real-time PCR analyses.

Results

The mRNA expression levels of cytokines such as interleukin families, interferon (IFN)-β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were increased by Mc-fEE treatment in vitro and in vivo. Western blotting analysis showed that the phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein (AP)-1 subunits these were enhanced in Mc-fEE-treated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, according to in vivo experiments, it was considered that Mc-fEE can increase the population of splenic NK cells and subsequent upregulation of their cytotoxic activity against YAC-1 cells, a T- cell lymphoma.

Conclusion

In this paper, we could confirm that Mc-fEE has remarkable immunostimulatory effects by activation and increase of the NK cell population.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-022-03700-3.

Antimicrobial and anticancer activities of Hainan dry noni fruit alcoholic extracts and their novel compounds identification using UPLC-Q-Exactive Obitrap-MS/MS

Morinda citrifolia Linn (noni) is an important plant in the Pacific Asian region. The fruit has been used as a food source and has shown therapeutical benefits for health. Recently, it has become a source for bioactive compounds. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial and anticancer activities of alcoholic extracts of Hainan dry noni fruit with machinery assistance and identified their novel compounds by UPLC-Q-Exactive Obitrap-MS/MS. By IE extractor aided method, the extraction of both NFE (Noni Fruit Ethanol) and NFM (Noni Fruit Methanol) solvent crude sample extracts were obtained with recovery yields of 98.48% and 71.65%, respectively. The antimicrobial effect of the crude extracts was subjected to disc diffusion test screening against two microbial strains bacterium SA (Staphylococcus aureus) and, fungal CA (Candida albicans). The MIC values of SA and CA were 35.34 and 47.80 mg/mL for NFE, 117.40 and 108.01 mg/mL for NFM, respectively. Further on, cell viability assay showed that IC₅₀ values of extract NFE and NFM on human UMUC-3 bladder carcinogenic cells were 865.1 and 789.1 µg/mL with less effect to human SVHUC-1 normal cell line for 72hr incubation. Using UPLC-Q-exactive Orbitrap-MS/MS, ten compounds were identified in the noni extracts and confirmed from the HMDB and FooDB. Five known bioactive compounds had been used for treatments in anti-cancer, anti-obesity, and Covid-19 patients. The remaining five compounds were found novel in noni fruit. They were Cyanidin 3-(2 G-xylosylrutinoside), Inulobiose, Clausarinol, Pectachol, and 4,7-Megastigmadien-9-ol. The potential bioactivities of these novel compounds will be studied in the near future. These findings form a basis on screening natural medicinal plant extracts for beneficial use as a food and health source.

Genotoxicity Comparison between Morinda citrifolia Fruit and Seed Substances

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.

The Immune-Enhancing Properties of Hwanglyeonhaedok-Tang-Mediated Biosynthesized Gold Nanoparticles in Macrophages and Splenocytes

Background

Despite great advances in the field of immunotherapy, there is still a need for novel and effective immunostimulants to overcome challenges, such as instability and autoinflammatory toxicity, associated with conventional immunostimulants. Nanotechnology provides the possibility to overcome these challenges. The well-known classical Chinese formula, Hwanglyeonhaedok-tang (HHT) has been widely used to treat immune-related diseases in clinical practice.

Methods

We developed novel gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) utilizing one-pot synthesis with the herbal formula-HHT. The optimal conditions for HHT-AuNP biosynthesis were established, and physicochemical properties of the optimized HHT-AuNPs were identified using various spectrometric and microscopic techniques. Bio-TEM analysis revealed that HHT-AuNPs were highly engulfed within RAW264.7 cells without inducing cytotoxicity. The effect of HHT-AuNPs on immunostimulatory activity was evaluated in innate and adaptive immune cells (RAW264.7 macrophages and ICR mice splenocytes) using qRT-PCR, immunoblotting, and ELISA.

Results

The HHT-AuNPs remarkably increased the nitric oxide (NO) and immune-related cytokines production by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, HHT-AuNPs exerted immunostimulatory effects on mouse splenocytes by priming T/B-cells and macrophages.

Discussion

The present study is the first to demonstrate that HHT-AuNPs could be utilized as immunostimulators to activate both innate and adaptive immune systems. These results provide a foundation for the application of traditional Chinese medicinal formulae in the field of nanomedicine.

Metatranscriptomic approach reveals the functional and enzyme dynamics of core microbes during noni fruit fermentation

Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) has been recognized as an important herb for treating various physiological disorders worldwide. Fermented noni fruit juice, established as a novel food in European Union, is the most important noni product. However, the structure, functions and enzyme profiles of microbiome during fermentation remain unclear. The metatranscriptomic was used to comprehensively explore the active microbial community and key metabolic function. Acetobacter sp., Acetobacter aceti and Gluconobacter sp. were the major microorganisms and appeared in succession during fermentation. According to principal components analysis (PCA) of metabolism-related unigenes by KEGG database, the fermentation process was divided into three stages and almost completed at the end of the second stage. Furthermore, carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and the expression of key enzymes in major metabolic pathways were analyzed systematically. Analysis by HS-SPME-GC-MS and odor active value (OAV) revealed that butanoic acid and hexanoic acid were the main volatile compounds for the unpleasant odor of fermented noni fruit juice. The microbiome in the fermentation process lacked key enzymes that degrade butanoic acid and hexanoic acid, which imparted rancid and sweat odor. This study provides theoretical basis for product improvement and new product development, thus promoting the development of noni food industry.

LOMIX, a Mixture of Flaxseed Linusorbs, Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects through Src and Syk in the NF-κB Pathway

Although flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) has long been used as Ayurvedic medicine, its anti-inflammatory role is still unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory role of a linusorb mixture (LOMIX) recovered from flaxseed oil. Effects of LOMIX on inflammation and its mechanism of action were examined using several in vitro assays (i.e., NO production, real-time PCR analysis, luciferase-reporter assay, Western blot analysis, and kinase assay) and in vivo analysis with animal inflammation models as well as acute toxicity test. Results: LOMIX inhibited NO production, cell shape change, and inflammatory gene expression in stimulated RAW264.7 cells through direct targeting of Src and Syk in the NF-κB pathway. In vivo study further showed that LOMIX alleviated symptoms of gastritis, colitis, and hepatitis in murine model systems. In accordance with in vitro results, the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects were mediated by inhibition of Src and Syk. LOMIX was neither cytotoxic nor did it cause acute toxicity in mice. In addition, it was found that LOB3, LOB2, and LOA2 are active components included in LOMIX, as assessed by NO assay. These in vitro and in vivo results suggest that LOMIX exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the inflammatory responses of macrophages and ameliorating symptoms of inflammatory diseases without acute toxicity and is a promising anti-inflammatory medication for inflammatory diseases.

Archidendron lucidum Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects by Targeting PDK1 in the NF-κB Pathway

Pharmacological activities of some Leguminosae family members were reported. Pharmacological activities of Archidendron lucidum, a Leguminosae family member have never been explored. Therefore, this study investigated anti-inflammatory effects of an Archidendron lucidum methanol extract (Al-ME). In this study, anti-inflammatory effects of Al-ME were investigated in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis mice by MTT assay, nitric oxide (NO) production assay, semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), luciferase reporter assay, and Western blotting. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified ethnopharmacological compounds in Al-ME. Al-ME inhibited NO production without cytotoxicity in peritoneal macrophages and RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS or Pam3CSK4. Al-ME downregulated mRNA expression of inflammatory genes (inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6). Al-ME exerted anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. HPLC analysis identified quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol as major anti-inflammatory components in Al-ME. Al-ME ameliorated HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis symptoms in mice by suppressing iNOS and IL-6 mRNA expressions and IκBα phosphorylation. Therefore, these results suggest that Al-ME exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by targeting NF-κB signaling pathway, implying that Al-ME could be potent anti-inflammatory medications to prevent and treat inflammatory diseases.

Viburnum pichinchense methanol extract exerts anti-inflammatory effects via targeting the NF-κB and caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome pathways in macrophages

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Viburnum pichinchense Benth. Mainly found in Ecuador and Colombia has been ethnopharmacologically utilized as a remedy for various female disorders with kidney inflammation and uterine relaxant.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The pharmacological activity of Viburnum pichinchense has never been studied, therefore, this study explored anti-inflammatory activity of Viburnum pichinchense methanol extract (Vp-ME).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Anti-inflammatory activities of Vp-ME were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis mice by MTT assay, nitric oxide (NO) production assay, semi-quantitative reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), luciferase reporter assay, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Anti-inflammatory compounds in Vp-ME were identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS

Vp-ME inhibited NO production in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with pam3CSK4, poly I:C or LPS and in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages without cytotoxicity and downregulated mRNA expression of inflammatory enzymes, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6. The anti-inflammatory activity was accomplished by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) transcriptional activation, upstream signaling molecules in the NF-κB pathway, and caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, Vp-ME exhibited in vivo anti-inflammatory activity by ameliorating gastritis symptoms, inhibiting iNOS and IL-6 mRNA expression and IκBα activation in mice. HPLC analysis identified resveratrol, quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol as the anti-inflammatory components in Vp-ME.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated Vp-ME has the anti-inflammatory activity via targeting NF-κB and caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome pathways in macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses, suggesting Vp-ME could be developed as anti-inflammatory ethnopharmacological remedies to prevent and treat inflammatory diseases.