Characterization, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of Costa Rican noni juice (Morinda citrifolia L.)

Morinda citrifolia L. (Rubiaceae) is a small tropical tree that grows widely in Polynesia. Commonly called noni, its fruits have been used as a folk medicine for thousands of years for the treatment of many diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammation or cancer (Chan-Blanco et al., 2006). Currently, the noni juice market is continuously growing for its possible biological activities despite poor existing evidence. In 2002, the noni juice was even accepted in the European Union as a novel food. In response to this inter-national demand for noni juice, some countries such as Costa Rica have increased noni cultivation and harvesting.

‍