Resumo

GONZALEZ LAVAUT, Nirda E  e  GONZALEZ LAVAUT, José A. Morinda citrifolia Linn: potencialidades para su utilización en la salud humana. Rev Cubana Farm [online]. 2003, vol.37, n.3, pp. 1-1. ISSN 1561-2988.

Noni is the common name given to Morinda citrifolia Linn. It is originating from Polinesia, Malasia, Australia, India and Southeast Asia, but it has extended to almost every region of the world. In this paper, the most important aspects of this plant appearing in publications, Internet and the Chemical Abstracts in the last 5 years that allow to assess the potentialities for its use in human health, are shown. In traditional medicine, the fruit, flowers, leaves, cortex and root of this plant have been used for diverse medicinal purposes. Allergy, arthritis, asthma, cancer, diabetes, depression, physical weakness, menstrual disorders, obesity and stress are among the most treated affections. Although in the extracts of various parts of the plant, a high number of components has been found and even some of them have been isolated, it is considered that the pharmacological and beneficial action is only reached by the synergic effect of all the components.

Palavras-chave : MEDICINE, TRADITIONAL; PLANTS; RUBIACEAE..