Anti-Diabetic Potential of Noni: The Yin and the Yang

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#animals #biological-products #clinical-studies-as-topic #diabetes-mellitus-type-2 #drug-evaluation-preclinical

Anti-Diabetic Potential of Noni: The Yin and the Yang

Nerurkar et al., 2015 | Molecules | Narrative Review

Citation

Nerurkar Pratibha V, Hwang Phoebe W, Saksa Erik. Anti-Diabetic Potential of Noni: The Yin and the Yang. Molecules. 2015-Sep-25;20(10):17684-719. doi:10.3390/molecules201017684

Abstract

Escalating trends of chronic diseases such as type-2 diabetes (T2D) have sparked a renewed interest in complementary and alternative medicine, including herbal products. Morinda citrifolia (noni) has been used for centuries by Pacific Islanders to treat various ailments. Commercial noni fruit juice has been marketed as a dietary supplement since 1996. In 2003, the European Commission approved Tahitian noni juice as a novel food by the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate General. Among noni's several health benefits, others and we have demonstrated the anti-diabetic effects of fermented noni fruit juice in animal models. Unfortunately, noni's exciting journey from Polynesian medicine to the research bench does not reach its final destination of successful clinical outcomes when translated into commercial products. Noni products are perceived to be safe due to their "natural" origin. However, inadequate evidence regarding bioactive compounds, molecular targets, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, long-term safety, effective dosages, and/or unanticipated side effects are major roadblocks to successful translation "from bench side to bedside". In this review we summarize the anti-diabetic potential of noni, differences between traditional and modern use of noni, along with beneficial clinical studies of noni products and challenges in clinical translation of noni's health benefits.

Key Findings

In this review we summarize the anti-diabetic potential of noni, differences between traditional and modern use of noni, along with beneficial clinical studies of noni products and challenges in clinical translation of noni's health benefits.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Products
  • Clinical Studies as Topic
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Morinda
  • Plant Extracts
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Narrative Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Review
  • Vertical: noni

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-12