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Leaves of Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae) have been used in folk medicine to treat pain and inflammation. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of M. citrifolia leaf extracts was investigated. The extract was prepared by freeze-drying juice squeezed from M. citrifolia leaves. HPLC analysis of the crude extract revealed rutin to be a major compound together with small amounts of quercetin and kaempferol. The effect of this extract on TNF-α, IL-1β, and NO secretion by lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage RAW 264.7 cells was investigated and compared to that of rutin, dexamethasone, and indomethacin. The results show that the extract inhibited TNF-α (98%, 750 µg/ml) secretion four times more than dexamethasone (3.92 µg/ml) and indomethacin (3.58 µg/ml), while rutin had no effect. The extract suppressed IL-1β secretion in a dose-dependent fashion with a maximum inhibition of about 79% (750 µg/ml). This was similar to that achieved by dexamethasone (97%, 3.92 µg/ml), indomethacin (70%, 3.58 µg/ml), and rutin (90%, 48.84 µg/ml). Moreover, the extract inhibited NO secretion (74%, 750 µg/ml) 50% more than rutin (40 µM) and 70% more than dexamethasone and indomethacin (10 µM). This study demonstrates the potential of M. citrifolia leaves as an effective therapeutic intervention against inflammatory diseases.

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