Preparation of Arachidonyl Ethanolamide

The novel purified compound anandamide seems to be present as brain constituent. It is possible that this compound is present as a complex with another compound or in any other form, but according to the present invention it has been established that the compound defined herein as ananamide is characterized by the properties set out herein. Similar compounds, defined herein, are characterized by essentially equivalent properties. 

Following the synthetic method described for arachidonylethanolamide, the ethanolamides of the following unsaturated fatty acids were prepared. 

These ethanol amide derivatives have antiinflammatory analgetic, antiglaucoma and antiemetic activity. 

The effective doses for humans are between 1-100 mg total daily dose, by injection or by oral administration. 

Values shown are percent inhibition of paw edema when compared to vehicle treated controls. 95% significance byANOVA. N = 5 mice/group. (b) Control mice were given peanut oil (50 ul) orally. Paw volume increase = 38 -i- 4 ul. 

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