Molecules 2014, 19(11), 17078-17106; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules191117078
Endocannabinoids, Related Compounds and Their Metabolic Routes
1
Department of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
2
European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy
3
Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Foro Italico University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
4
Endocannabinoid Research Group, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
5
Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, 00135 Rome, Italy
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 1 August 2014 / Revised: 16 October 2014 / Accepted: 16 October 2014 / Published: 24 October 2014
(This article belongs to the Section Metabolites)
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are lipid mediators able to bind to and activate cannabinoid receptors, the primary molecular targets responsible for the pharmacological effects of the Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. These bioactive lipids belong mainly to two classes of compounds: N-acylethanolamines and acylesters, being N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), respectively, their main representatives. During the last twenty years, an ever growing number of fatty acid derivatives (endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-like compounds) have been discovered and their activities biological is the subject of intense investigations. Here, the most recent advances, from a therapeutic point of view, on endocannabinoids, related compounds, and their metabolic routes will be reviewed. View Full-Text
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Fezza, F.; Bari, M.; Florio, R.; Talamonti, E.; Feole, M.; Maccarrone, M. Endocannabinoids, Related Compounds and Their Metabolic Routes. Molecules 2014, 19, 17078-17106.
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