Author(s):
Samhitha J, Anilkumar KV, Nagaraju B, Shekar HS, Neerajraj GN, Padmavathi GV
Email(s):
samhitha27@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/2231-5659.2026.00045 
Address:
Samhitha J1*, Anilkumar KV1, Nagaraju B1, Shekar HS1, Neerajraj GN2, Padmavathi GV2
1Visveswarapura Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, BSK-2nd Stage, Bengaluru - 560070.
2UG-Medical, ESIC Medical College & PGIMSR, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru - 560010.
3Dept. of Medical Surgical Nursing, Aditya College of Nursing, Kogilu, Bengaluru - 560064.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 16,
Issue - 3,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
Morinda citrifolia L., commonly known as noni, is a humid plant commonly used in traditional medicine across Polynesia, Southeast Asia, and parts of India. Noni fruit juice has gained global attention as a nutraceutical due to its reported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, metabolic, and anticancer properties. This review compiles and critically evaluates available scientific literature on the phytochemical composition, biological activities, mechanisms of action, and safety profile of noni fruit juice. Indication from in vitro, in vivo, and limited clinical studies suggests that noni juice exhibits promising pharmacological potential, primarily attributed to its rich content of iridoids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. However, despite its widespread consumption, well-designed clinical trials remain limited, and concerns regarding hepatotoxicity and electrolyte imbalance warrant cautious use. This review highlights current knowledge gaps and emphasizes the need for standardized preparations and rigorous clinical validation.
Cite this article:
Samhitha J, Anilkumar KV, Nagaraju B, Shekar HS, Neerajraj GN, Padmavathi GV. A Wide-ranging Review: On the Biological Activities and Safety of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) Fruit Juice. Asian Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2026; 16(3):307-0. doi: 10.52711/2231-5659.2026.00045
Cite(Electronic):
Samhitha J, Anilkumar KV, Nagaraju B, Shekar HS, Neerajraj GN, Padmavathi GV. A Wide-ranging Review: On the Biological Activities and Safety of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) Fruit Juice. Asian Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2026; 16(3):307-0. doi: 10.52711/2231-5659.2026.00045 Available on: https://www.ajpsonline.com/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-16-3-14
REFERENCES:
1. Ansari P, Reberio AD, Ansari NJ, Kumar S, Khan JT, Chowdhury S, Abd El-Mordy FM, Hannan JMA, Flatt PR, Abdel-Wahab YHA, et al. Therapeutic Potential of Medicinal Plants and Their Phytoconstituents in Diabetes, Cancer, Infections, Cardiovascular Diseases, Inflammation and Gastrointestinal Disorders. Biomedicines. 2025; 13(2): 454.
2. Lin YL, Lin HW, Chen YC, Yang DJ, Li CC, Chang YY. Hepatoprotective effects of naturally fermented noni juice against thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Journal of the Chinese Medical Association. 2017; 80: 212-21.
3. West BJ, Isami F, Uwaya A, Jensen CJ. The Potential Health Benefits of Noni Juice: A Review of Human Intervention Studies. The Potential Health Benefits of Noni Juice: A Review of Human Intervention Studies. Foods. 2018; 7: 58-80.
4. Mohammad A, Mruthunjaya K, Manjula SN. Health Benefits of Morinda citrifolia (Noni): A Review. Pharmacognosy Journal. Jul-Aug 2016; 8(4): 321-34.
5. Fu X, Kim MH, Oh G, Im JH, Lim JS, Seong YS, Lee JY, Park EY, Lee DS, La IJ, Lee OH. Analysis of the Bioactive Compounds and Physiological Activities of Commonly Consumed Noni Juice in Republic of Korea. Foods. 2025 Oct 30;14(21):3732.
6. Gieroba B, Kryska A, Sroka-Bartnicka A. Type 2 diabetes mellitus - conventional therapies and future perspectives in innovative treatment. Biochem Biophys Rep. May 2025; 2(42):102037.
7. Zhang X, Zhang B, Li L, Li X, Zhang J, Chen G. Fermented noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) fruit juice improved oxidative stress and insulin resistance under the synergistic effect of Nrf2/ARE pathway and gut flora in db/db mice and HepG2 cells. Food Funct. 2022 Aug 1; 13(15): 8254-73.
8. Puranik DS, Mohammed F, Nagaraju B, Patan F, Nazeer A, Purohit S, Ali B. Preclinical evaluation of Antidiabetic activity of Noni Fruit Juice. International Journal of Bioassays. 2013; 2(2): 475-82.
9. Hou S, Ma D, Wu S, Hui Q, Hao Z. Morinda citrifolia L.: A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Effects, and Antioxidant Potential. Antioxidants (Basel). 2025 Feb 28; 14(3): 295.
10. Mahattanadul S, Ridtitid W, Nima S, Phdoongsombut N, Ratanasuwon P, Kasiwong S. Effects of Morinda citrifolia aqueous fruit extract and its biomarker scopoletin on reflux esophagitis and gastric ulcer in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. .2011; 134(2): 243-50.
11. Sina H, Dramane G, Tchekounou P, Assogba MF, Chabi SK, Boya B, Socohou A, Adjanohoun A, Baba ML. Phytochemical composition and in vitro biological activities of Morinda citrifolia fruit juice. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. 2021; 28(2): 1331-5.
12. Wu T, Li M, Lan Z. Reveal the variation patterns of chemical composition in the fruit of Morinda citrifolia (noni) during postharvest storage through metabolomic characterization. Tropical Plant Biology.2019; 12: 85-97.
13. Singh DR, Singh S. Phytochemicals in plant parts of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) with special reference to fatty acid profiles of seeds. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Inia Section B: Biological Sciences. 2013; 83: 471-8.
14. Thoo YY, Ho SK, Liang JY, Ho, CW, Tan CP. Effects of binary solvent extraction system, extraction time and extraction temperature on phenolic antioxidants and antioxidant capacity from mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia). Food Chemistry. 2010; 120(1): 290-5.
15. Yang J, Paulino R, Janke SS, Abawi F. Free-radical-scavenging activity and total phenols of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) juice and powder in processing and storage. Food Chemistry. 2007; 102(1): 302-8.
16. Guo L, Qiao J, Huo J, Rupasinghe HPV. Plant iridoids: Chemistry, dietary sources and potential health benefits. Food Chem X. 2025 Apr 23; 27:102491.
17. Pitocco D, Tesauro M, Alessandro R, Ghirlanda G, Cardillo C. Oxidative stress in diabetes: implications for vascular and other complications. Int J Mol Sci. 2013 Oct 30; 14(11): 21525-50.
18. Chang YC, Chuang LM. The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes: from molecular mechanism to clinical implication. Am J Transl Res. 2010 Jun 10;2(3):316-31.
19. Ma DL, Chen M, Su CX, West BJ. In vivo antioxidant activity of deacetylasperulosidic Acid in noni. J Anal Methods Chem. 2013; 2013: 804504.
20. Okdahl T, Wegeberg AM, Pociot F, Brock B, Størling J, Brock C. Low-grade inflammation in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study from a Danish diabetes outpatient clinic. BMJ Open. 2022 Dec 14; 12(12): e062188.
21. Nerurkar PV, Hwang PW, Saksa E. Anti-Diabetic Potential of Noni: The Yin and the Yang. Molecules. 2015 Sep 25; 20(10): 17684-719.
22. Ezzat MI, Hassan M, Abdelhalim MA, El-Desoky AM, Mohamed SO, Ezzat SM. Immunomodulatory effect of Noni fruit and its isolates: insights into cell-mediated immune response and inhibition of LPS-induced THP-1 macrophage inflammation. Food Funct. 2021 Apr 7; 12(7): 3170-3179.
23. Bakal SN, Bereswill S, Heimesaat MM. Finding novel antibiotic substances from medicinal plants-Antimicrobial properties of Nigella sativa directed against multidrug-resistant bacteria. European Journal of Microbiology and Immunology. 2017; 7(1): 92-8.
24. Mandukhail SU, Aziz N, Gilani AH. Studies on antidyslipidemic effects of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) fruit, leaves and root extracts. Lipids Health Dis. 2010 Aug 20; 9:88.
25. Shoeb A, Alwar MC, Shenoy PJ, Gokul P. Effect of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) Fruit Juice on High Fat Diet Induced Dyslipidemia in Rats. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 Apr; 10(4): FF06-10.
26. Chanthira Kumar H, Lim XY, Mohkiar FH, Suhaimi SN, Mohammad Shafie N, Chin Tan TY. Efficacy and Safety of Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) as a Potential Anticancer Agent. Integr Cancer Ther. 2022 Jan-Dec; 21: 15347354221132848.
27. West BJ, Deng S, Isami F, Uwaya A, Jensen CJ. The Potential Health Benefits of Noni Juice: A Review of Human Intervention Studies. Foods. 2018 Apr 11; 7(4): 58.
28. Stadlbauer V, Fickert P, Lackner C, Schmerlaib J, Krisper P, Trauner M, Stauber RE. Hepatotoxicity of NONI juice: report of two cases. World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Aug 14;11(30):4758-60.
29. Puranik DS, Mohammed F, Nagaraju B, Patan F, Nazeer A, Purohit S, Buden RP. Studies on Hypoglycemic effect of Morinda Citrafolia.L Fruit Juice. Int. J. Biopharm.Nanomed. Sci, 2013; 2(1): 84-92.
30. Lee SY, Park SL, Hwang JT, Yi SH, Nam YD, Lim SI. Antidiabetic Effect of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) Fermented by Cheonggukjang in KK-A(y) Diabetic Mice. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012; 2012:163280.
31. genstaedt P, Stumpenhagen A, Westendorf J. The Effect of Morinda citrifolia L. Fruit Juice on the Blood Sugar Level and Other Serum Parameters in Patients with Diabetes Type 2. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018 Aug 6; 2018:3565427.
32. Inada AC, Silva GT, Silva LPRD, Alves FM, Filiú WFO, Asato MA, Junior WHK, Corsino J, Figueiredo PO, Garcez FR, Garcez WS, Silva RNOD, Santos-Eichler RAD, Guimarães RCA, Freitas KC, Hiane PA. Therapeutic Effects of Morinda citrifolia Linn. (Noni) Aqueous Fruit Extract on the Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in High-Fat/High-Fructose-Fed Swiss Mice. Nutrients. 2020 Nov 10; 12(11): 3439.