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Zalesak, F., Denis Bon, D.J. and Pospisil, J. (2019) Lignans and Neolignans: Plant Secondary Metabolites as a Reservoir of Biologically Active Substances. Pharmacological Research 146, Article ID: 104284.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104284

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Lignans from Morinda citrifolia (Noni) Fruit Inhibit Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase and Monoacylglycerol Lipase in Vitro

  AUTHORS: Brett J. West, Shixin Deng, Claude Jarakae Jensen

  KEYWORDS: Morinda citrifolia, Noni, Endocannabinoid System, Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase, Monoacylglycerol Lipase

  JOURNAL NAME: Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, Vol.8 No.3, March 13, 2020

  ABSTRACT: Morinda citrifolia (noni) fruit juice has exhibited a variety of biological activities in human clinical trials, indicating that it influences multiple systems of the body. Since the 1990s, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been found to modulate the activity of other organ systems. To investigate noni’s potential impact on the ECS, extracts from freeze-dried noni fruit were evaluated in fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibition assays. The ethyl acetate extract demonstrated the greatest activity against both enzymes. Lignans in this extract also inhibited enzyme activities, with americanin A being the most active in both assays. Americanoic acid and 3,3’-bisdemethylpinoresinol were the next most active compounds. These results suggest that lignans in noni fruit may influence endocannabinoid levels within the body via FAAH and MAGL inhibition. This reveals another set of probable mechanisms of action by which noni juice affects human health.