To investigate anti-inflammatory activity of Noni extracts, we measured the phospholipase $A_2$ activity using both in vitro and in vivo system. Water soluble fraction of Noni extracts did not affect melittin-induced arachidonic acid release, whereas lipid soluble fraction inhibited it in a dose dependent manner in Raw 264.7 cells. The purified phospholipase $A_2$ activity was dose-dependently inhibited by lipid soluble fraction of Noni extracts but not by its water soluble fraction. Lipid peroxidation, myeloperoxidase and phospholipase $A_2$ activity in incised skin of mice were significantly increased as compared with those in non-incised skin, and these increase was attenuated by the treatment with Noni powder. Our data suggest that Noni extracts has anti-inflammatory activity, and this is, in part, caused by inhibitory activity of phospholipase $A_2$.
