The endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol are metabolised by both hydrolytic enzymes (primarily fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL)) and oxygenating enzymes (e.g. cyclooxygenase- 2, COX-2). In the present article, the in vivo data for compounds inhibiting endocannabinoid metabolism have been reviewed, focussing on inflammation and pain. Potential reasons for the failure of an FAAH inhibitor in a clinical trial in patients with osteoarthritic pain are discussed. It is concluded that there is a continued potential for compounds inhibiting endocannabinoid metabolism in terms of drug development, but that it is wise not to be unrealistic in terms of expectations of success.
CITATION STYLE
Fowler, C. J. (2015). The potential of inhibitors of endocannabinoid metabolism for drug development: A critical review. In Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology (Vol. 231, pp. 95–128). Springer New York LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20825-1_4
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