Arachidonoyl amide

Anandamide (AEA) is an endogenous cannabinoid that binds to both central cannabinoid (CB1) and peripheral cannabinoid (CB2) receptors. The biological actions of AEA are terminated by cellular uptake and hydrolysis of the amide bond by the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Arachidonoyl amide is an analog of anandamide (AEA) that lacks the hydroxyethyl moiety. It is hydrolyzed by FAAH more effectively than AEA but exhibits significantly weaker binding to the human CB1 receptor with a Ki of 9.6 µM. Arachidonoyl amide and AEA exhibit similar binding and translocation into cells via the AEA transporter. It inhibits [3H]-AEA uptake into human astrocytoma cells with an IC50 of 9 µM. Arachidonoyl amide also inhibits rat glial gap junction cell-cell communication by 90% at a concentration of 20 µM.