URB-597

Endogenous cannabinoids, such as anandamide (AEA) [A3448] and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) [A3490], are biologically active lipids that activate the CB₁ and CB₂ cannabinoid receptors. Cannabinoid receptors, located throughout the body, are part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in a variety of physiological processes. Endocannabinoid signaling is terminated by enzymatic hydrolysis, a process mediated by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) for anandamide and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) for 2-AG. URB-597 (KDS-4103) is a potent and selective inhibitor of the enzyme FAAH, which catalyzes the intracellular hydrolysis of bioactive fatty acid ethanol amides such as anandamide. There are reports that URB-597 increases anandamide levels in the brain of rats and wild-type mice. (The product is for research purpose only.)