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, which has been in use on the islands for two millennia.1-4 The plant, found abundantly in Southeast Asia, Australia, the Pacific Basin, and the Caribbean, is called Great Morinda or cheese fruit in Australia, Nono in Tahiti, Indian Mulberry in India, and Ba ji tian in China.4-6 It is also deployed for a wide range of health purposes in Brazil.7
Noni has been credited with conferring various salutary benefits against arthritis, diabetes, fever, gingivitis, headaches, infections, inflammation, respiratory illnesses, and tuberculosis.3,8 In alternative medicine, the fruit juice, which has been found to be safe, is used for multiple indications, with a slew of studies presenting evidence for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptosis-inducing benefits against cancer.5,6 All parts of M. citrifolia – leaves, fruits, roots, bark, flowers, and seeds – have been used in traditional medical practices.8 This column will focus on recent research into the broad array of biologic activities attributed to the plant and possible dermatologic uses.
Diverse biologic properties
In 2007, Nayak et al. showed that the juice of M. citrifolia fruit significantly lowered sugar levels in diabetic rats and facilitated their wound healing.1
Three years later, Thani et al. determined that the leaves of M. citrifolia exert antiproliferative and antioxidative activities, with chemopreventive benefits seen against epidermoid and cervical cancers.9
In 2011, Serafini et al. confirmed the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antinociceptive qualities of the aqueous extract from M. citrifolia leaves, with the extract shown to significantly lower leukocyte migration in doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. Mild antibacterial properties were seen as was an antinociceptive effect at the higher dose in the acetic-acid-induced writhing test.3
A comprehensive literature review in 2017 by Torres et al. identified a varied and extensive list of biological activities of M. citrifolia, including immunostimulatory, antitumor, antidiabetic, antiobesity, antibacterial and antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and analgesic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, wound healing, antiallergic, photoprotective, and antiwrinkle among several others. Despite its use in disease prevention and treatment around the world, the researchers call for more in vitro and in vivo models in addition to clinical trials to further examine the health benefits of Noni.7
Early in 2019, De La Cruz-Sánchez et al. determined that the methanolic extract of M. citrifolia displayed marked activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), thus supporting its continuing applications in traditional medical practice.2
Photoprotection and antiaging potential
Based on their prior work demonstrating that M. citrifolia fruit upregulates the production of type I collagen and glycosaminoglycans in primary cultures of normal human fibroblasts, Kim et al. isolated anthraquinone from the fruit and showed that it dose-dependently decreased the expression of collagenase matrix metalloproteinase-1 in human dermal fibroblasts. The investigators also found that an anthraquinone-containing nano-emulsion raised type I procollagen in nude mouse skin. They concluded, in this 2005 study, that Noni extract warrants consideration as an antiwrinkle agent given its proclivity to induce the production of collagen.10
In 2009, West et al. assessed a carbomer gel base containing the ethanol extract and juice pressed from Noni leaves for possible allergenic activity in a repeat-insult patch test in 49 volunteers. They also used a UVB-induced erythema model in 25 subjects to test the topical photoprotective potential of the ethanol extract and leaf juice. The investigators reported no allergic potential evinced by the patch tests, and in a histamine H-1 receptor antagonism assay, the leaves hindered receptor binding by 57%, suggesting anti-inflammatory activity. In the UVB test, the dose necessary to engender erythema was nearly 3.5 times higher than in untreated skin. The team concluded that M. citrifolia leaves are safe for topical application and show promise in lessening UVB-induced skin damage.11
A 2014 study on mice by Serafini et al. showed that the dorsal skin of mice treated for 7 days with topical M. citrifolia was protected from damage by exposure to UVA-UVB radiation as measured by skin thickness, transepidermal water loss, erythema, and histological changes.12
Conclusion
Morinda citrifolia has been used in traditional medicine for at least 2,000 years. Its reported list of uses covers an impressive gamut of indications. 
Modern medicine is beginning to catch up with new research conducted on this copious and beloved plant. That said, much more data, particularly from human clinical trials, are necessary to elucidate the most appropriate dermatologic roles for M. citrifolia. I just started growing a Noni tree in my yard because some patients have reported using it on their skin. I will report back and let you know how it goes. It is flowering now!
Dr. Baumann is a private practice dermatologist, researcher, author, and entrepreneur who practices in Miami. She founded the Cosmetic Dermatology Center at the University of Miami in 1997. Dr. Baumann wrote two textbooks: “Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice” (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002), and “Cosmeceuticals and Cosmetic Ingredients” (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2014), and a New York Times Best Sellers book for consumers, “The Skin Type Solution” (New York: Bantam Dell, 2006). Dr. Baumann has received funding for advisory boards and/or clinical research trials from Allergan, Evolus, Galderma, and Revance. She is the founder and CEO of Skin Type Solutions Franchise Systems LLC. Write to her at dermnews@mdedge.com.
References
1. Nayak BS et al. J Wound Care. 2007 Feb;16(2):83-6.
2. De La Cruz-Sánchez NG et al. Microb Pathog. 2019 Mar;128:347-53.
3. Serafini MR et al. J Med Food. 2011 Oct;14(10):1159-66.
4. Wang MY, Su C. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001 Dec;952:161-8.
5. Gupta RK, Patel AK. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2013;14(8):4495-9.
6. Brown AC. Phytother Res. 2012 Oct;26(10):1427-40.
7. Torres MAO et al. Phytother Res. 2017 Jul;31(7):971-9.
8. Potterat O, Hamburger M. Planta Med. 2007 Mar;73(3):191-9.
9. Thani W et al. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2010 Mar;41(2):482-9.
10. Kim SW et al. J Med Food. 2005 Winter;8(4):552-5.
11. West BJ et al. J Nat Med. 2009 Jul;63(3):351-4.
12. Serafini MR et al. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:587819. doi: 10.1155/2014/587819.
, which has been in use on the islands for two millennia.1-4 The plant, found abundantly in Southeast Asia, Australia, the Pacific Basin, and the Caribbean, is called Great Morinda or cheese fruit in Australia, Nono in Tahiti, Indian Mulberry in India, and Ba ji tian in China.4-6 It is also deployed for a wide range of health purposes in Brazil.7
Noni has been credited with conferring various salutary benefits against arthritis, diabetes, fever, gingivitis, headaches, infections, inflammation, respiratory illnesses, and tuberculosis.3,8 In alternative medicine, the fruit juice, which has been found to be safe, is used for multiple indications, with a slew of studies presenting evidence for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptosis-inducing benefits against cancer.5,6 All parts of M. citrifolia – leaves, fruits, roots, bark, flowers, and seeds – have been used in traditional medical practices.8 This column will focus on recent research into the broad array of biologic activities attributed to the plant and possible dermatologic uses.
Diverse biologic properties
In 2007, Nayak et al. showed that the juice of M. citrifolia fruit significantly lowered sugar levels in diabetic rats and facilitated their wound healing.1
Three years later, Thani et al. determined that the leaves of M. citrifolia exert antiproliferative and antioxidative activities, with chemopreventive benefits seen against epidermoid and cervical cancers.9
In 2011, Serafini et al. confirmed the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antinociceptive qualities of the aqueous extract from M. citrifolia leaves, with the extract shown to significantly lower leukocyte migration in doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. Mild antibacterial properties were seen as was an antinociceptive effect at the higher dose in the acetic-acid-induced writhing test.3
A comprehensive literature review in 2017 by Torres et al. identified a varied and extensive list of biological activities of M. citrifolia, including immunostimulatory, antitumor, antidiabetic, antiobesity, antibacterial and antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and analgesic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, wound healing, antiallergic, photoprotective, and antiwrinkle among several others. Despite its use in disease prevention and treatment around the world, the researchers call for more in vitro and in vivo models in addition to clinical trials to further examine the health benefits of Noni.7
Early in 2019, De La Cruz-Sánchez et al. determined that the methanolic extract of M. citrifolia displayed marked activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), thus supporting its continuing applications in traditional medical practice.2
Photoprotection and antiaging potential
Based on their prior work demonstrating that M. citrifolia fruit upregulates the production of type I collagen and glycosaminoglycans in primary cultures of normal human fibroblasts, Kim et al. isolated anthraquinone from the fruit and showed that it dose-dependently decreased the expression of collagenase matrix metalloproteinase-1 in human dermal fibroblasts. The investigators also found that an anthraquinone-containing nano-emulsion raised type I procollagen in nude mouse skin. They concluded, in this 2005 study, that Noni extract warrants consideration as an antiwrinkle agent given its proclivity to induce the production of collagen.10
In 2009, West et al. assessed a carbomer gel base containing the ethanol extract and juice pressed from Noni leaves for possible allergenic activity in a repeat-insult patch test in 49 volunteers. They also used a UVB-induced erythema model in 25 subjects to test the topical photoprotective potential of the ethanol extract and leaf juice. The investigators reported no allergic potential evinced by the patch tests, and in a histamine H-1 receptor antagonism assay, the leaves hindered receptor binding by 57%, suggesting anti-inflammatory activity. In the UVB test, the dose necessary to engender erythema was nearly 3.5 times higher than in untreated skin. The team concluded that M. citrifolia leaves are safe for topical application and show promise in lessening UVB-induced skin damage.11
A 2014 study on mice by Serafini et al. showed that the dorsal skin of mice treated for 7 days with topical M. citrifolia was protected from damage by exposure to UVA-UVB radiation as measured by skin thickness, transepidermal water loss, erythema, and histological changes.12
Conclusion
Morinda citrifolia has been used in traditional medicine for at least 2,000 years. Its reported list of uses covers an impressive gamut of indications.
Modern medicine is beginning to catch up with new research conducted on this copious and beloved plant. That said, much more data, particularly from human clinical trials, are necessary to elucidate the most appropriate dermatologic roles for M. citrifolia. I just started growing a Noni tree in my yard because some patients have reported using it on their skin. I will report back and let you know how it goes. It is flowering now!
Dr. Baumann is a private practice dermatologist, researcher, author, and entrepreneur who practices in Miami. She founded the Cosmetic Dermatology Center at the University of Miami in 1997. Dr. Baumann wrote two textbooks: “Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice” (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002), and “Cosmeceuticals and Cosmetic Ingredients” (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2014), and a New York Times Best Sellers book for consumers, “The Skin Type Solution” (New York: Bantam Dell, 2006). Dr. Baumann has received funding for advisory boards and/or clinical research trials from Allergan, Evolus, Galderma, and Revance. She is the founder and CEO of Skin Type Solutions Franchise Systems LLC. Write to her at dermnews@mdedge.com.
References
1. Nayak BS et al. J Wound Care. 2007 Feb;16(2):83-6.
2. De La Cruz-Sánchez NG et al. Microb Pathog. 2019 Mar;128:347-53.
3. Serafini MR et al. J Med Food. 2011 Oct;14(10):1159-66.
4. Wang MY, Su C. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001 Dec;952:161-8.
5. Gupta RK, Patel AK. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2013;14(8):4495-9.
6. Brown AC. Phytother Res. 2012 Oct;26(10):1427-40.
7. Torres MAO et al. Phytother Res. 2017 Jul;31(7):971-9.
8. Potterat O, Hamburger M. Planta Med. 2007 Mar;73(3):191-9.
9. Thani W et al. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2010 Mar;41(2):482-9.
10. Kim SW et al. J Med Food. 2005 Winter;8(4):552-5.
11. West BJ et al. J Nat Med. 2009 Jul;63(3):351-4.
12. Serafini MR et al. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:587819. doi: 10.1155/2014/587819.
, which has been in use on the islands for two millennia.1-4 The plant, found abundantly in Southeast Asia, Australia, the Pacific Basin, and the Caribbean, is called Great Morinda or cheese fruit in Australia, Nono in Tahiti, Indian Mulberry in India, and Ba ji tian in China.4-6 It is also deployed for a wide range of health purposes in Brazil.7
Noni has been credited with conferring various salutary benefits against arthritis, diabetes, fever, gingivitis, headaches, infections, inflammation, respiratory illnesses, and tuberculosis.3,8 In alternative medicine, the fruit juice, which has been found to be safe, is used for multiple indications, with a slew of studies presenting evidence for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptosis-inducing benefits against cancer.5,6 All parts of M. citrifolia – leaves, fruits, roots, bark, flowers, and seeds – have been used in traditional medical practices.8 This column will focus on recent research into the broad array of biologic activities attributed to the plant and possible dermatologic uses.
Diverse biologic properties
In 2007, Nayak et al. showed that the juice of M. citrifolia fruit significantly lowered sugar levels in diabetic rats and facilitated their wound healing.1
Three years later, Thani et al. determined that the leaves of M. citrifolia exert antiproliferative and antioxidative activities, with chemopreventive benefits seen against epidermoid and cervical cancers.9
In 2011, Serafini et al. confirmed the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antinociceptive qualities of the aqueous extract from M. citrifolia leaves, with the extract shown to significantly lower leukocyte migration in doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. Mild antibacterial properties were seen as was an antinociceptive effect at the higher dose in the acetic-acid-induced writhing test.3
A comprehensive literature review in 2017 by Torres et al. identified a varied and extensive list of biological activities of M. citrifolia, including immunostimulatory, antitumor, antidiabetic, antiobesity, antibacterial and antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and analgesic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, wound healing, antiallergic, photoprotective, and antiwrinkle among several others. Despite its use in disease prevention and treatment around the world, the researchers call for more in vitro and in vivo models in addition to clinical trials to further examine the health benefits of Noni.7
Early in 2019, De La Cruz-Sánchez et al. determined that the methanolic extract of M. citrifolia displayed marked activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), thus supporting its continuing applications in traditional medical practice.2
Photoprotection and antiaging potential
Based on their prior work demonstrating that M. citrifolia fruit upregulates the production of type I collagen and glycosaminoglycans in primary cultures of normal human fibroblasts, Kim et al. isolated anthraquinone from the fruit and showed that it dose-dependently decreased the expression of collagenase matrix metalloproteinase-1 in human dermal fibroblasts. The investigators also found that an anthraquinone-containing nano-emulsion raised type I procollagen in nude mouse skin. They concluded, in this 2005 study, that Noni extract warrants consideration as an antiwrinkle agent given its proclivity to induce the production of collagen.10
In 2009, West et al. assessed a carbomer gel base containing the ethanol extract and juice pressed from Noni leaves for possible allergenic activity in a repeat-insult patch test in 49 volunteers. They also used a UVB-induced erythema model in 25 subjects to test the topical photoprotective potential of the ethanol extract and leaf juice. The investigators reported no allergic potential evinced by the patch tests, and in a histamine H-1 receptor antagonism assay, the leaves hindered receptor binding by 57%, suggesting anti-inflammatory activity. In the UVB test, the dose necessary to engender erythema was nearly 3.5 times higher than in untreated skin. The team concluded that M. citrifolia leaves are safe for topical application and show promise in lessening UVB-induced skin damage.11
A 2014 study on mice by Serafini et al. showed that the dorsal skin of mice treated for 7 days with topical M. citrifolia was protected from damage by exposure to UVA-UVB radiation as measured by skin thickness, transepidermal water loss, erythema, and histological changes.12
Conclusion
Morinda citrifolia has been used in traditional medicine for at least 2,000 years. Its reported list of uses covers an impressive gamut of indications.
Modern medicine is beginning to catch up with new research conducted on this copious and beloved plant. That said, much more data, particularly from human clinical trials, are necessary to elucidate the most appropriate dermatologic roles for M. citrifolia. I just started growing a Noni tree in my yard because some patients have reported using it on their skin. I will report back and let you know how it goes. It is flowering now!
Dr. Baumann is a private practice dermatologist, researcher, author, and entrepreneur who practices in Miami. She founded the Cosmetic Dermatology Center at the University of Miami in 1997. Dr. Baumann wrote two textbooks: “Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice” (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002), and “Cosmeceuticals and Cosmetic Ingredients” (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2014), and a New York Times Best Sellers book for consumers, “The Skin Type Solution” (New York: Bantam Dell, 2006). Dr. Baumann has received funding for advisory boards and/or clinical research trials from Allergan, Evolus, Galderma, and Revance. She is the founder and CEO of Skin Type Solutions Franchise Systems LLC. Write to her at dermnews@mdedge.com.
References
1. Nayak BS et al. J Wound Care. 2007 Feb;16(2):83-6.
2. De La Cruz-Sánchez NG et al. Microb Pathog. 2019 Mar;128:347-53.
3. Serafini MR et al. J Med Food. 2011 Oct;14(10):1159-66.
4. Wang MY, Su C. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001 Dec;952:161-8.
5. Gupta RK, Patel AK. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2013;14(8):4495-9.
6. Brown AC. Phytother Res. 2012 Oct;26(10):1427-40.
7. Torres MAO et al. Phytother Res. 2017 Jul;31(7):971-9.
8. Potterat O, Hamburger M. Planta Med. 2007 Mar;73(3):191-9.
9. Thani W et al. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2010 Mar;41(2):482-9.
10. Kim SW et al. J Med Food. 2005 Winter;8(4):552-5.
11. West BJ et al. J Nat Med. 2009 Jul;63(3):351-4.
12. Serafini MR et al. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:587819. doi: 10.1155/2014/587819.
