Noni Suppresses Cancer! No Kidding

Only in the latter half of the 20th century has Noni been investigated for anti-cancer properties, as cancer is rare in indigenous societies. While the Wikipedia article dismisses Noni as having little medicinal value in modern western society, a look at the professional, mostly peer reviewed, research literature says otherwise.

In such research, Noni reveals many important properties that have potential value in treating cancer: strong antioxidant inhibition; inhibition of Activator Protein-1, which is involved in cancer induction; may reduce smoking-related cancer risk; protective effect on hepatic injury induced by a liver carcinogen; mammary breast cancer prevention at the initiation stage in rats. Noni is also a highly effective nitrous oxide scavenging agent. Anthraquinone (an anti cancer drug) has been isolated from Noni. This new anthraquinone is nearly 40 times more potent than a positive control. Furthermore, it demonstrated no discernible cytotoxicity (damage to body cells) at the highest dose tested. Noni inhibits both COX-2 and 5-LOX enzymes which have anticancer and anti-inflammation properties.

Most cancers grow an aggressively expanding, abnormal capillary network, and considerable research effort has been expended on finding compounds that would suppress this activity. One bottom line is that cancer patients starve to death, cancerous growths can be thought of as invasive parasites. Using their capillary network, cancers co-opt the body's nutrients. Metabolites from food are diverted to cancer growth, and the body's essential metabolic functions are starved. In one study, 10% Noni juice was an effective inhibitor of capillary initiation in explants from human breast tumors. In tumor explants that did show capillary sprouting, the vessels rapidly degenerated (2-3 days) in those exposed to media supplemented with 10% Noni.

Suffice to say, it would seem that a more aggressive use of Noni with many cancer patients is justified. Noni provides an alternative and adjunct to potent radiation and chemotherapy approaches that unavoidably cause widespread tissue death throughout the body. Traditional chemotherapies often prolong life, but at a terrible cost to the quality of life. Noni deserves serious consideration by all oncologists as indigenous peoples throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific have known for millennia.

Disclaimer: The author of this post has never had cancer, is not an alternative medical practioner, has never taken Noni for a prolonged period and has no business interest in any company that manufactures Noni products for the retail market.

The digital image of Noni fruit is copyright free and in the public domain for noncommercial use. The file is archived at Wikimedia.