title: Activation of cell-mediated immunity by Morinda citrifolia fruit extract and its constituents.
abstract: Morinda citrifolia, commonly known as noni, is a traditional natural medicine in French Polynesia and Hawaii. Functional foods derived from M. citrifolia fruit have been marketed to help prevent diseases and promote good health. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of M. citrifolia fruit on cell-mediated immunity. In the picryl chloride-induced contact dermatitis test, M. citrifolia fruit extract (Noni-ext) inhibited the suppression of cell-mediated immunity by immunosuppressive substances isolated from freeze-dried ascites of Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing mice (EC-sup). In addition, Noni-ext inhibited reduction of IL-2 production in EC-sup-treated mice and activated natural killer cells in normal mice. These results suggest that Noni-ext has multiple effects on the recovery of cell-mediated immunity. Furthermore, we investigated the active principles of Noni-ext and identified an iridoid glycoside, deacetylasperulosidic acid. Oral administration of deacetylasperulosidic acid inhibited the reduction of ear swelling, and also cancelled the suppression of IL-2 production along with the activation of natural killer cells in the same manner as that of Noni-ext.
authors.forename: Kazuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Megumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Futamura-Masudaa
authors.forename: Akemi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uwaya
authors.forename: Fumiyuki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Isami
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsuda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D032066:Morinda / Q000737:chemistry*; D010853:Picryl Chloride / Q000633:toxicity; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010853:Picryl Chloride