A Comprehensive Review on Therapeutic Perspectives of Morinda citrifolia (Indian Noni) to Combat Cancer

Back ground: Indian Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) is a large shrub or small evergreen tree, also known as Indian mulberry. It is a medicinal plant that has been used as conventional medicine and food additives for a long time. As a drug, plant bioactivity is attributed to its secondary metabolites. M.citrifolia has very rich nutrients and consists of over 100 varieties of chemical compounds which have been isolated so far from the plant. In disorders such as skin ailments, respiratory infections, gastritis, menstrual, abortion, diabetes, and venereal diseases, it also shows beneficial effects.

Materials and Methods: The relation of noni juice or its extract (fruit, leaves or root) to anticancer and/or immunostimulant properties was investigated in this study. A Medline quest was performed along with cross-referencing using the main search terms 'Morinda citrifolia and cancer'.

Results: According to our search results for scientific studyM. citrifolia is used in literature for more than 40 forms of ailments. Crude extract is recorded from various plant and fruit juice components. There are records of amino acids, anthraquinones, fatty acids, flavonoids, iridoids, lignans, polysaccharides, sterols, carbohydrates, terpenoids, etc. in the crude extract of different sections of plant and fruit juice that are therapeutically beneficial for a wide range of pathological conditions.

Conclusion: Literature indicates that Nonii pharmacologically active and used in various cancer types (Colon, breast, esophageal, colorectal Cancers, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis). This plant's high potential classifies the compounds as the noteworthy medication of the future, and clinical trials are needed to demonstrate their effect on life-threatening diseases such as cancer. Further analysis warrants the isolation of the active components. These properties can be substantiated by the preclinical or/and clinical investigations.