&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Morinda citrifolia&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (Noni) Fruit Juice Inhibits Endocannabinoid Degradation Enzymes

Brett J West,C Jarakae Jensen,Shixin Deng

doi:10.4236/jbm.2019.77003

Abstract

Morinda citrifolia (noni) fruit juice has been shown to have a wide variety of potential health benefits in human clinical trials. It may also influence the endocannabinoid system of the body. Since the main ingredient of the product studied in these clinical trials was juice made from noni fruit puree from French Polynesia, it was evaluated for its ability to inhibit the two major endocannabinoid degradation enzymes in vitro. Noni fruit juice inhibited both fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that it may help maintain anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol levels. Samples of the puree were also analyzed for the presence of characteristic phytochemical markers of authentic noni fruit such as scopoletin, rutin, quercetin, deacetylasperulosidic acid and asperulosidic acid, all of which were present. Also present was scandoside, which is reported for the first time as being identified in noni fruit or its juice. Some of these compounds may contribute to the FAAH and MAGL inhibiting activity of noni juice. These results reveal another set of mechanisms by which noni juice possibly supports mental health, maintains joint health, relieves discomfort and modulates the immune system.

Highlights

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) serves an important regulatory function within the human body
As the major endocannabinoids produce effects within the body that are similar to those reported for noni juice, we further investigated noni juice’s interaction with the ECS by assessing its potential to maintain AEA and 2-AG levels through fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibition
high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses revealed that our noni juice samples contained phytochemical constituents that are present in a commercial source of authentic noni juice that has been reported to protect lymphocyte DNA, improve serum lipid profiles, and reduce high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and homocysteine levels of cigarette smokers [21] [22]

Summary

Introduction

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) serves an important regulatory function within the human body. It influences the nervous and immune systems extensively and has an impact on digestion, reproduction and bone mass [1] [2]. There are two main endocannabinoids produced by the body, N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide or AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). AEA and 2-AG are synthesized from arachidonic acid derivatives, N-arachidonoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE) and diacylglycerol, by phospholipases and diacylglycerol lipases. AEA is eventually degraded by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) to arachidonic acid and ethanolamine. AEA and 2-AG are CB1 and CB2 ligands, and it is through their interactions with these receptors that many of their physiological effects are mediated [6]

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