NONI IN PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) . The lungs are primarily involved, but the infection can spread to other organs. Causes, incidence, and risk factors Tuberculosis can develop after inhaling droplets sprayed into the air from a cough or sneeze by someone infected with M. tuberculosis. The disease is characterized by the development of granulomas (granular tumors) in the infected tissues. The usual site of the disease is the lungs, but other organs may be involved. The primary stage of the infection is usually asymptomatic (without symptoms). Primary pulmonary TB develops in the minority of people whose immune systems do not successfully contain the primary infection. In this case, the disease may occur within weeks after the primary infection. TB may also lie dormant for years and reappear after the initial infection is contained. Infants, the elderly, and individuals who are immunocompromised -- for example, those with AIDS, those undergoing chemotherapy, or transplant recipients taking antirejection medications -- are at higher risk for progression to disease or reactivation of dormant disease. In pulmonary TB, the extent of the disease can vary from minimal to massive involvement. Without effective therapy, the disease becomes progressively worse.

The risk of contracting TB increases with the frequency of contact with people who have the disease, with crowded or unsanitary living conditions and with poor nutrition. Symptoms

Limited to minor cough and mild fever, if apparent Fatigue Unintentional weight loss Coughing up blood Fever and night sweats Phlegm-producing cough

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Wheezing Excessive sweating, especially at night Chest pain Breathing difficulty

Role of Noni Noni has been reported to have a broad range of health benefits for various diseases and complains. Major components Noni contains all the vitamins like Vitamin A , Vitamin B complex, vitamin C, Vitamin E. It contains all the trace minerals. A number of major components have been identified in the Noni plant such as scopoletin, octoanoic acid, potassium, vitamin C, terpenoids, morindone, alkaloids, rubiadin, anthraquinones and (such as nordamnacanthal, anthraquinone rubiadin-1-methyl ether,

glycoside), sitosterol, carotene, vitamin A, flavone glycosides, linoleic

acid, Alizarin, amino acids, acubin, L-asperuloside, caproic acid, caprylic acid, ursolic acid, rutin, and a putative proxeronine. Anti-tubercular effects In the International Chemical Congress of the Pacific Basin Societies Meeting in Honolulu, Saludes and colleagues from the Philippines, reported that Noni has been found to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A concentration of extracts from Noni leaves killed 89 percent of the bacteria in a test tube, almost as effective as a leading anti-TB drug, Rifampcin, which has an inhibition rate of 97 percent at the same concentration. Although there had been anecdotal reports of the native use of Noni in Polynesia as a medicine against tuberculosis, this is the first report demonstrating the antimycobacterial potential of compounds obtained from the Noni leaf. "I hope that pharmaceutical companies will pay attention to this research and explore the Noni plant as a potential source of drugs," said Saludes in Manila. How Noni works The natural integrity of Noni is only part of the reason for its effectiveness. There are two additional reasons contribution to Noni's effectiveness for a broad range of conditions:

1.Unique Combinations of Substances For a fruit, Noni has an impressive combination of ingredients. It has a rich complement of vitamins and minerals; including A, B vitamins (including the rare B-12), C, E, Iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, zinc and several trace minerals. It also has 17 of 20 amino acids. Terpenes, fungicides, adaptogens, glycosides, polysaccharides and other unique ingredients that even in small amounts can have significant

physiological effects can be found in Noni. Studies show that NONI stimulates the immune system, regulates proper cell function, increases the ability of cells to absorb and utilize nutrients, inhibits tumor growth, and regenerates damaged cells. Probably the most unique ingredient is an alkaloid called xeronine. Xeronine has several important functions including regulating the many proteins in the body, activating inactive enzymes and improving cellular function. Noni also contains a substance called proxeronine, which can be stored in the liver according to Dr. Ralph Heinecke. Proxeronine, in turn, can be used to make xeronine, as needed. 2.Synergy of its Substances The many known, and even some of the unknown substances, come together in a way that supports the needs of many of our internal systems, concurrently. As the word synergy implies, these substances work far better in combination than they do separately. Many of the ingredients in Noni are found in varying amounts in other foods or herbs. There seems to be no known food or herb with either the rich list of substances or the high amounts of key substances all put together in one super food. Noni aids the body's natural healing abilities.

Retired biochemist, Ralph Heinicke, states that the Noni fruit contains a natural precursor for Xeronine that he named Proxeronine. Proxeronine is converted to the alkaloid, Xeronine, in the body by an enzyme he calls Proxeroninase. His hypothesis is that Xeronine is able to modify the molecular structure of proteins. Thus Xeronine has a wide range of

biological activities. When a protein such as an enzyme, receptor, or signal transducer is not in the appropriate conformation, it will not work properly. Xeronine will interact with the protein and make it fold into its proper conformation. The result is a properly functioning protein. Whenever a problem arises in the cell due to a protein structural problem, Xeronine's presence would be beneficial. His hypotheses may explain why Noni can help in many health problems in different ways.