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Updated: May 9, 2026

Preparation and In Vivo Use of an Activity-based Probe for N-acylethanolamine Acid Amidase
11:01

Preparation and In Vivo Use of an Activity-based Probe for N-acylethanolamine Acid Amidase

Published on: November 23, 2016

The macamide N-3-methoxybenzyl-linoleamide is a time-dependent fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor

Haifa Almukadi1, Hui Wu, Mark Böhlke

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MCPHS University, 179 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA.

Molecular Neurobiology
|July 16, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Maca

Area of Science:

  • Neuropharmacology
  • Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

  • Lepidium meyenii (Maca) exhibits neuroprotective properties.
  • Maca's lipophilic constituents, macamides, inhibit fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).
  • Endocannabinoid system enzymes like FAAH and mono-acyl glycerol lipase (MAGL) are key targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the mechanism of N-3-methoxybenzyl-linoleamide (a macamide) interaction with FAAH.
  • Determine if N-3-methoxybenzyl-linoleamide inhibits MAGL.

Main Methods:

  • Enzyme inhibition assays for FAAH and MAGL.
  • Testing macamide concentrations from 1 to 100 μM.
  • Characterization of FAAH inhibition kinetics.

Main Results:

  • N-3-methoxybenzyl-linoleamide showed no inhibitory effect on MAGL.
  • Significant time-dependent and dose-dependent inhibition of FAAH was observed.
  • The FAAH inhibition mechanism appears irreversible or slowly reversible.

Conclusions:

  • Macamides from Maca show potential as FAAH inhibitors.
  • Modulating FAAH may offer neuroprotective, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects via the central nervous system.

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