2-Arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG; ) is an endogenous agonist of the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. 2-Palmitoyl glycerol is a fatty acid ester that does not bind directly to cannabinoid receptors, nor inhibit adenylyl cyclase, but rather potentiates the activity of 2-AG (and other endocannabinoids) to bind to CB1 and CB2 and inhibit adenylyl cyclase. This “entourage” effect has been attributed to blockade of the breakdown and reuptake pathways that normally function to reduce endocannabinoid levels rapidly upon release. 2-Palmitoyl glycerol and related endogenous fatty acid derivatives have been shown to interact with endocannabinoids in the modulation of pain sensitivity.
