Research has found that fermented noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) fruit may be used to protect against inflammatory diseases of the colon. The study, which was published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, looked at the effects of fermented noni fruit extracts on colon microflora and inflammation of colon epithelial cells.

• Gut microflora and inflammation are associated with the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases.
• Noni has been found to have various bioactivities, but its effect on intestinal health has not yet been studied.
• For the study, researchers from Chung Shan Medical University in Taichung, Taiwan used the ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of fermented noni fruit.
• They tested the anti-inflammatory activities of these extracts on Caco-2 cells.
• Results showed that the ethanol extract of fermented noni fruit promoted the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species.
• The ethyl acetate extract of fermented noni fruit reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species and significantly inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and prostaglandin E2 production and neutrophil chemotaxis.
• These anti-inflammatory effects of fermented noni fruit were primarily due to quercetin.
• These results suggest that fermented noni fruit promoted probiotic growths and decreased the intracellular oxidation and inflammation in Caco-2 cells.

With these findings, the researchers concluded that fermented noni fruit might protect against inflammatory diseases of the colon.

To read more studies on natural antioxidants like noni, visit Antioxidants.news.

Journal Reference:

Huang H-L, Liu C-T, Chou M-C, Ko C-H, Wang C-K. NONI (MORINDA CITRIFOLIA L.) FRUIT EXTRACTS IMPROVE COLON MICROFLORA AND EXERT ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES IN CACO-2 CELLS. Journal of Medicinal Food. 29 May 2015; 18(6): 663-676663-676. DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2014.3213