Morinda citrifolia Linn (Noni): in vivo and in vitro reproductive toxicology.
Morinda citrifolia Linn (syn. Noni) is a plant widely used as food and medicine worldwide but there are no toxicological tests about this plant focused on reproduction.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate possible endocrine activity and toxic effect on the reproductive system of Wistar rats by exposure of aqueous extract of the Morinda citrifolia.


METHODS
Two experimental protocols in vivo were developed, (a) uterotrophic assay and (b) in utero and lactational assay, and one test in vitro to investigate the effect on the contractility of pregnant uteri isolated from rats (doses of the extract: 7.5, 75 and 750 mg/kg).


RESULTS
The uterotrophic assay indicates presence of in vivo antiestrogenic activity of extract at doses of 7.5 and 750 mg/kg. The in utero and lactation exposure showed that the treatment with extract at the dose of 7.5mg/kg induced a reduction of 50% in parturition index and an increase of 74% in postimplantation losses index. The in vitro test showed that uteri from rats treated with 7.5mg/kg of the extract presented a 50% reduction on contraction induced by arachidonic acid.


CONCLUSIONS
The exposure of aqueous extract of Morinda citrifolia in Wistar rats induced reproductive toxicity in nonlinear dose-response.
Müller
Juliane C
JC
Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, P.O. Box 19031, CEP 81531-990 Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Botelho
Giuliana G K
GG
Bufalo
Aedra C
AC
Boareto
Ana C
AC
Rattmann
Yanna D
YD
Martins
Elisangela S
ES
Cabrini
Daniela A
DA
Otuki
Michel F
MF
Dalsenter
Paulo R
PR
D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D032066:Morinda / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016718:Arachidonic Acid