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Immunomodulatory Properties of Noni ( Morinda citrifolia )
Author(s) -
Lohani Madhukar,
Kemppainen Barbara W,
Moore Brandon D,
Maurice Denzil V,
Toler Joe E,
Karve Rucha,
Scott Thomas R
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.811.1
Noni (Morinda citrifolia ) is a popular medicinal plant of family Rubiaceae. Its fruit is rich in various phytochemicals and polysaccharides. Anecdotal evidence indicates that it is used in folk medicine to promote health and prevent disease. Limited in vitro studies also support the immunomodulatory role of Noni, however only two studies used an animal model. The purpose of this study was to examine the immunomodulatory properties of Noni fruit in the broiler chicken. In two experiments, different concentrations of dietary Noni were fed to day‐old broiler chickens for 3 to 6 weeks. Gut tissue and blood were sampled to determine the expression of selected genes, concentrations of immunoglobulins and α1‐acid glycoprotein. The results showed that dietary Noni at 6% increased the expression of Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐4 and TLR‐5, a chemokine, interleukin (IL)‐8, IL‐12, and decreased the expression of IL‐6 and TLR‐7. At 4%, dietary Noni stimulated the expression of TLR‐3. Increased expression of TLR‐3, TLR‐4 and TLR‐5 indicate antiviral and antibacterial activities in chickens fed Noni fruit that are further enhanced by increased expression of IL‐12 and IL‐8. Decreased expression of IL‐6 indicates anti‐inflammatory inducing properties of Noni. However, Noni did not have effects on serum and gut immunoglobulins or α1‐acid glycoprotein concentrations. This study suggests immunomodulatory properties of dietary Noni in chicken via modulating genes expression in gut tissue.