Genus Morinda: An insight to its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and Industrial Applications

Abstract

Background of the study: The genus Morinda of the Madder family, (Rubiaceae) has been widely documented in traditional medicine due to its therapeutic properties and also, contributed a great deal in chemical industry. Different parts of Morinda species have traditionally been used to treat malaria, diabetes, memory loss, cancer, inflammation, skin infections, and typhoid fever. Aim and Objectives: The review provide a critical and innovative information on the traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, and industrial applications of the genus Morinda. This will help researchers understand future research trends by bridging the gap between documented literature and contemporary uses. Methodology: All the systematic literature data or information on the genus Morinda was collected via selected electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Springer, Medline, ChemSpider, Taylor and Francis, Google Scholar, SciFinder, ScienceDirect and Wiley. Relevant book chapters, Wikipedia and books were also explored. Results: The study reveals that different parts of Morinda plants have been extensively used for folkloric therapeutic purposes and are a plethora of mineral or nutritional benefits and secondary metabolites. Several classes of bioactive compounds have been elucidated from Morinda plants via spectroscopic and chromatographic phytochemical analyses. Compounds such as terpenoids, glycosides, anthraquinones, polyphenols, steroids, saponins and reducing sugars are among the bioactive substances reported in the genus. Plant extracts, fractions and isolates of Morinda plants have exhibited pronounced antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, antidepressant, wound healing, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects (in vitro and in vivo). These pharmacological activities exhibited could be linked to the presence of secondary metabolites reported. The applications of this genus is well documented in textile, metallurgical, agrochemicals and food industries. Conclusion: A number of reports on Morinda showed significant therapeutic effect against several diseases such as cancer, dermal infection, diabetes, inflammation, malaria, typhoid, cholera and memory loss, however, there were several drawback in previous reports including mechanism of action, drug dose, controls and toxicological data of extracts or isolates. In view of this, further studies should emphasis on targeting active secondary metabolites which responsible for the therapeutic activities, structural elucidation and toxicological assessment. Furthermore, industrial uses require authentication.

Keywords

• Morinda
• Phytochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Industrial applications
• Traditional uses