occurrence of cancer [395].
Also, during an experiment with mice peritoneal macrophages its fruit juice
treatment in vitro was found to increase nitric oxide (NO) production thereby increasing their killing
ability on Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes [396]. Noni fruit also has an anti-inflammatory action
due to the inhibition of myeloperoxidase, TNF-α, IFN-γ activity in intestines hence is useful in the
treatment of many inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease where it maintains the
integrity of intestine [397]. Even its leaf possesses anti-inflammatory activity and has been used to treat
pain and inflammation in folk medicine [398]. M. citrifolia fruit also affects adaptive immune B and T
cells thereby potentiates both humoral and cellular immune system [399]. It has shown anti-bacterial
actions against various bacteria viz. Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli,
mycoplasmas, etc. [400, 401]. The immunostimulatory property is due to the polysaccharide fraction
from the fruit of this plant [402]. Fruit extract of Noni has also been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of
Candida albicans under in-vitro condition [403]. Leaf extract and anthraquinones in the bark of noni
possess anti-viral activity against certain viruses such as hepatitis C virus, influenza viruses, etc. [404,
405]. Thus, the immunomodulatory capacity of this multi-purpose herbal plant leads to anti-cancer, anti-
inflammatory, anti-helmintic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and analgesic action.
Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutaki - Scrophulariaceae):
Picrorhiza kurroa is a renowned herb belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family with a remarkable
reputation among the traditional medical practitioners. The plant is accepted as a hepatoprotective agent
with its bioactive components like picrosides, kutkoside and catapol (Fig. 14) [406, 407]. Its anti-
inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antineoplastic actions have been proven [408, 409].
The anti-cancer property may be attributed to those metabolites of P. kurroa that render antioxidant and
cytotoxic activities. An iridoid glycoside named Picroliv obtained from the root and rhizome of P. kurroa
has anti-allergic along with immune boosting potentialities [410]. The methanolic, and aqueous extracts
have been recognized with antioxidant, and anti-neoplastic potential, thus paving the way for the future
clinical application [409, 411, 412]. In Indian traditional medicine, P. kurroa is a constant candidate for
hepatic diseases and has been proven to ameliorate the hepatic toxicities induced by chemicals such as
carbon tetrachloride, d-galactosamine, paracetamol, and thioacetamide in various in-vivo studies. These
scientific bases led to the genesis of an Ayurvedic formulation named ‘Arogyavardhini’ with 50% P.
kurroa as a remedy for viral hepatitis [413].
Various immunomodulatory functions of the plant show that its extracts enhance delayed type
hypersensitivity (DTH), antibody production and phagocytosis [409, 414-416]. Picroliv also protected
hamsters from challenge with Leishmania donovani promastigotes [417] and found to enhance antibody
titer, plaque forming cells and DTH response to sheep RBC when orally administered in mice [417].
Clear evidence of immune stimulation obtained from a bi-polymeric extract of P. kurroa, which
enhanced HA titer, DTH response, phagocytic index and CD4/CD8 response when used with sheep RBC
in a dose-dependent manner [415]. Humoral antibody response was improved with oral administration of
an ethanolic and aqueous extract of the rhizomes of Picrorrhiza kurroa [418].
OH OH
H H
O O
HO O HO O
H H
H3CO O O
HO H3CO
O O
O
O HO
O OH OH
HOHO
HOHO
A B
Figure 14: A. Picroside I and B. Kutkoside: Picrovile which is antiallergic and the immune booster is a
mixture of the two in 1:1.15 ratio.
23