Planta Med 2008; 74 - PA168
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084166

In vitro genotoxic studies of Thai noni fruit juice by chromosomal aberration and sister chromatid exchange assays in human lymphocytes

S Thitiorul 1, T Ratanavalachai 2, P Nandhasri 3
  • 1Division of Anatomy, Preclinical Science Department
  • 2Division of Biochemistry, Preclinical Science Department
  • 3Division of Applied Thai Traditional medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand

The genotoxic effects of Noni fruit juice (NFJ) produced in Thailand were studied in human lymphocytes using chromosomal aberration and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assays in vitro. Treatment of NFJ (0.15%-2.5% v/v) alone for 3h did not induce chromosomal aberration nor SCE significantly although high concentration of 5% showed toxicity to the cells with low mitotic index (M.I.). NFJ at 0.3% is the optimum dose for cell survival and cell replication as demonstrated by the highest value of M.I. and proliferation index (P.I.). Our data indicate that Thai NFJ is not genotoxic against human lymphocytes in spite of cytotoxicity at higher doses (5% or higher). Therefore, the optimum dose of NFJ is needed to be determined and investigated further for the benefit of the human body.

Acknowledgement: This study was supported by Research fund, Thammasat University, Thailand.

References: 1. Wang, M.Y. and C. Su. (2001). Ann N Y Acad Sci. 952:161–168.

2. Westendorf, J., et al. (2007). J Agric Food Chem. 55:529–537.

3. Nandhasri, P., et al. (2004). Songklanakarin J. Sci. Technol. 27 (suppl.2):579–586.