Phytochemistry bioactivities and product development potential of Morinda citrifolia L.
Keywords:
Noni, Morinda citrifolia L., biological activities, iridoid glycosides, phytochemistry, herbal standardizationAbstract
Noni fruit Morinda citrifolia L. is a tropical medicinal material widely used in traditional medicine and health-related products. This paper selectively reviews current evidence on its medicinal characteristics, phytochemical constituents, biological activities, and potential for product development. Available data indicate that noni fruit contains pharmacologically relevant compound groups, particularly iridoid glycosides, polyphenols, flavonoids, coumarins, organic acids, and polysaccharides. Deacetylasperulosidic acid, asperulosidic acid, scopoletin, and damnacanthal are important marker compounds for quality control. Preclinical evidence supports experimental antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial/antifungal, glucose-metabolism-modulating, neuroprotective, and anticancer-related activities. However, most findings are still derived from cell models, animal studies, or non-standardized extracts. Therefore, the development of noni as a medicinal material or science-based product should prioritize raw-material standardization, safety assessment, bioavailability evaluation, drug-interaction studies, and controlled clinical validation.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Thai Phuong PHAM, Ngoc Phuong Le, Duy Dieu NGUYEN (Author)
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