A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF PALMITOYLETHANOLAMIDE

INTRODUCTION:

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) at https://www.cofttek.com/product/544-31-0/ as the name suggests that it belongs to the amide family, is an endogenous fatty acid amide, belonging to the class of nuclear factor agonists. PEA has been studied in vitro and in vivo systems using exogenously added or dosed compound; there is evidence that it binds to a nuclear receptor, through which it exerts a variety of biological effects, some related to chronic inflammation and pain.

PEA has been proven to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity and has been used in several controlled studies focused on the management of chronic pain among adult patients with different underlying clinical conditions.  As it is an endogenous agent and one also found in foods such as eggs and milk, no serious side effects or drug-drug interactions been identified.

PEA has been used for many decades in the Netherlands and Europe, but since the 1990s interest in the U.S. has surged. It is classified as a “food for medical purposes” in Europe and as a diet supplement in the U.S.

TARGET PHARMALOGICAL USE OF PALMITOYLETHANOLAMIDE IN THE NEAR FUTURE:

A main target of PEA is proposed to be the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α). PEA also has an affinity to cannabinoid-like G-coupled receptors GPR55 and GPR119. PEA cannot strictly be considered a classic endocannabinoid because it lacks affinity for the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2.

However, primary research supports the conclusion that the presence of PEA (or other structurally related N-acylethanolamines) enhances anandamide activity by an “entourage effect”.Most of the research on PEA has focused on neuropathic (nerve) pain where significant benefits have been identified.

But there is a growing body of research indicating that PEA benefits many types of pain besides neuropathic pain which, incidentally, may also be due to the growing appreciation of the role of neuropathic pain in conditions such as arthritis and other inflammatory pain conditions as well as visceral pain syndromes including endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

THE FOLLOWING DISEASES HAS BEEN DEALT PROPERLY WITH THE HELP OF PALMITOYLETHANOLAMIDE AND THERE ARE MANY SOLID EVIDENCES FOR THE SAME:

 

  1. Arthritis – osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis
  2. Fibromyalgia
  3. Peripheral neuropathies – diabetic neuropathy & chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
  4. Carpal tunnel syndrome
  5. Opioid Tolerance and Hyperalgesia
  6. Low back pain – herniated disc disease, failed back surgery syndrome, other
  7. Sciatic pain
  8. Dental pain
  9. Neuropathic pain – related to stroke & multiple sclerosis
  10. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  11. Chronic pelvic pain
  12. Shingles pain (postherpetic neuralgia)
  13. Vaginal pain (vulvodynia)
  14. Post-operative dental surgery pain
  15. Traumatic Brain Injury/Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

SUMMARY:

There are no known contraindications for PEA, and patients with reduced kidney and liver function can be treated with PEA, as its metabolism is localized and cellular and independent of kidney and liver functions. As with many medications like Pterostilbene at https://www.cofttek.com/product/537-42-8/ , the safety with long term use over 60 days has not been well studied although there are reports in the literature of long-term use with no problems identified.

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