Studies on antidyslipidemic effects of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) fruit, leaves and root extracts.
BACKGROUND
The objective of present study was to provide the pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of Morinda citrifolia Linn in dyslipidemia using the aqueous-ethanolic extracts of its fruits (Mc.Cr.F), leaves (Mc.Cr.L) and roots (Mc.Cr.R).


RESULTS
Mc.Cr.F, Mc.Cr.L and Mc.Cr.R showed antidyslipidemic effects in both triton (WR-1339) and high fat diet-induced dyslipidemic rat models to variable extents. All three extracts caused reduction in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in triton-induced dyslipidemia. In high fat diet-induced dyslipidemia all these extracts caused significant reduction in total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), atherogenic index and TC/HDL ratio. Mc.Cr.R extract also caused increase in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). The Mc.Cr.L and Mc.Cr.R reduced gain in body weight with a reduction in daily diet consumption but Mc.Cr.F had no effect on body weight and daily diet consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that the antidyslipidemic effect of the plant extracts was meditated through the inhibition of biosynthesis, absorption and secretion of lipids. This may be possibly due partly to the presence of antioxidant constituents in this plant. Therefore, this study rationalizes the medicinal use of Morinda citrifolia in dyslipidemia.
Mandukhail
Saf-ur Rehman
SU
Natural Product Research Division, Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi 74800, Pakistan.
Aziz
Nauman
N
Gilani
Anwarul-Hassan
AH
D000818:Animals; D001210:Asia, Southeastern; D044362:Australasia; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D051379:Mice; D032066:Morinda / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D010936:Plant Extracts