arachidonoyl-n-methyl amide

Anandamide (AEA), an endogenous cannabinoid, interacts with both central (CB1) and peripheral (CB2) cannabinoid receptors. Its effects are concluded through the cellular uptake and enzymatic breakdown of its amide bond by fatty acid amide hydrolase. Arachidonoyl-N-methyl amide, an analog of anandamide, specifically targets the human CB1 receptor, displaying a binding affinity with a Ki of 60 nM. It completely inhibits rat glial gap junction intercellular communication at a concentration of 50 µM.

N-Acyl ethanolamines (NAEs) have diverse biological actions that are strongly affected by the associated acyl group. Docosahexaenoyl ethanolamide (DHEA) has potential signaling roles in cancer, inflammation, and neurological development and functioning. At least some of DHEA's effects are mediated through cannabinoid (CB) receptors, while some NAEs also act as vanilloid receptor agonists and voltage-gated K+ channel blockers. (R)-(+)-Docosahexaenyl-1'-hydroxy-2'-propylamide is a homolog of DHEA, characterized by the addition of an (R)-α-methyl group at the methylene carbon adjacent to the amide nitrogen. A similar modification of arachidonoyl ethanolamide to produce R-1 methanandamide imparts higher affinity for the CB receptor as well as improved metabolic stability. The physiological actions of this compound have not been evaluated.