Research article

Antioxidant activity of noni juice in heavy smokers

Mian-Ying Wang¹ , M Nawal Lutfiyya^2,3 , Vicki Weidenbacher-Hoper⁴ , Gary Anderson⁵ , Chen X Su⁶ and Brett J West⁶

¹  Department of Pathology, UIC College of Medicine, 1601 Parkview Avenue, Rockford, IL 61107, USA

²  Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Faculty of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

³  Division of Research and Learning, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Winnipeg Manitoba, 200-1155 Concordia Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

⁴  Department of Family & Community Medicine, UIC College of Medicine, 1601 Parkview Avenue, Rockford, IL 61107, USA

⁵  Department of Pathology, UIC College of Medicine, 1601 Parkview Avenue, Rockford, IL 61107, USA

⁶  Research and Development, Morinda Holdings Inc, 333 West River Park Dr, Provo, UT 84606, USA

author email corresponding author email

Chemistry Central Journal 2009, 3:13doi:10.1186/1752-153X-3-13

Published:	6 October 2009

Abstract

Background

Noni (Morinda citrifolia) juice has demonstrated antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo. To evaluate this activity in humans, noni juice from Tahiti (TNJ) was evaluated in a 30 day, double-blind, and placebo controlled clinical trial with 285 current heavy smokers. Research participants were randomly assigned to three daily treatment groups: 118 mL placebo, 29.5 mL TNJ, and 118 mL TNJ. Plasma superoxide anion radicals (SAR) and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels were measured pre and post-intervention.

Results

After 30 days, mean SAR decreased from 0.26 ± 0.14 to 0.19 ± 0.10 μmol/mL in the 29.5 mL dose group (P < 0.01) and from 0.26 ± 0.22 to 0.18 ± 0.11 μmol/mL in the 118 mL dose group (P < 0.001). LOOH levels decreased from 0.53 ± 0.19 to 0.40 ± 0.10 μmol/mL in the 29.5 mL dose group (P < 0.001) and from 0.55 ± 0.21 to 0.40 ± 0.14 μmol/mL in the 118 mL dose group (P < 0.001). No significant reductions in SAR or LOOH levels were observed in the placebo group.

Conclusion

The results suggest an antioxidant activity from noni juice in humans exposed to tobacco smoke, thereby replicating the results found previous chemical and in vivo tests.