Background:

SA72 is a highly selective fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor.

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is the primary regulator of several bioactive lipid amides including anandamide. Inhibitors of FAAH are potentially useful for the treatment of pain, anxiety, depression, and other nervous system disorders. However, FAAH inhibitors must display selectivity for this enzyme relative to the numerous other serine hydrolases present in the human proteome in order to be therapeutically acceptable. SA-72 is also a carbamate inhibitor. However, SA-72 shows exceptional selectivity for FAAH. Tested carboxylesterases are not off-targets for SA-72. SA-72 does not have major effects on the level of carboxylesterase activities in liver microsomes[1].

[1]. Zhang D, et al. Fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors display broad selectivity and inhibit multiple carboxylesterases as off-targets. Neuropharmacology. 2007 Mar;52(4):1095-105.