Research Monograph on Noni and its Antidiabetic Property

Efforts paved to substantiate that consumption of Noni or Mengkudu(Morinda citrifolia)fruit is nontoxic and hepatoprotective. Presence of biologically active ingredients readily accounts for the antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidative properties. An attempt has been organized to screen the comparative superoxide radical scavenging and reducing potency of Noni using aqueous and organic solvent extracts. Further study has been made to evaluate the phytochemicals and free radical scavenging efficacy of different parts of Mengkudu using different solvent extracts. The hypoglycemic and antioxidative effects of Noni fruit extract were evaluated in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The hypolipidemic effect of M. citrifolia fruit was investigated in diabetic rats. Studies carried out to ascertain that the Mengkudu fruit plays an indispensable property in regulating the key enzymes of glucose synthesis and utilization pathways to sustain normoglycemia.In vitro study reiterates the use of Noni to treat diabetes through its potential role of _-glucosidase and _-amylase inhibition as well as augmented glucose uptake by hepatocytes in its activity.