Prevention of palmitic acid‐induced lipotoxicity by Morinda citrifolia (noni)

Abstract

Lipotoxicity, or accumulation of lipids in non adipose tissue, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity‐associated insulin resistance. Lipotoxicity‐associated mitochondrial and/or ER stress are key events leading to defects in insulin signaling and glucose transport. Morinda citrifolia (noni), has been traditionally used to treat diabetes, infections and cancer. Preliminary studies from our laboratory indicate that noni juice improves high fat diet‐induced plasma fatty acid (FA) levels and insulin resistance in mice. We therefore tested the hypothesis that noni juice will alleviate FA‐mediated inhibition of glucose transport and toxicity in skeletal muscle. In brief, mouse muscle cells, C2C12, were treated with palmitic acid (PA) and noni juice at varying concentrations and analyzed for cell proliferation, free fatty acid and glucose uptake, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell death. Our results indicate that noni inhibits PA‐induced lipotoxicity by inhibiting ROS production and mitochondrial damage. Such studies are significant as they have potential as prevention strategies, and use as nutraceuticals to promote optimal health. [This work was supported by USDA CSREES (2004‐34135‐15182) and RCMI Program, NIH/ NCRR (G12 RR003061)].