Abstract

MORON RODRIGUEZ, Francisco J  and  MORON PINEDO, Déborah. Myth and reality of Morinda citrifolia L. (noni). Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2004, vol.9, n.3. ISSN 1028-4796.

original articles were searched and information was analyzed to relate each etnomedical use to the scientific papers that could validate their pharmacological action and the toxicological safety. Results: 47 references were found in the consulted databases. Only 5 supported, in preclinical models mostly in vitro, the pharmacological activities of the fruit juice for etnomedical uses connected with cancer and immunostimulation, pain and inflammation. The safety of its use was only supported by one paper on acute oral toxicity carried out with ethanolic extract from fruit and one article reported a patient that showed the potentiality of adverse effects in those with renal failure. The leaves and roots of the plant are less investigated than the fruit. Conclusions: The available scientific information does not allow to validate the uses and safety of the traditional utilization of Morinda citrifolia, since it is limited to preclinical pharmacological studies and the toxicological investigations supporting its safety are insufficient.

Keywords : Morinda citrifolia; fitotherapy; medicinal plants; complementary medicine; etnomedicine; toxicity.