2-Arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG; ) has been isolated from porcine brain, and has been characterized as the natural endocannabinoid ligand for the CB1 receptor. Incubation of 2-AG with COX-2 and specific prostaglandin H2 (PGH2; ) isomerases in cell cultures and isolated enzyme preparations results in prostaglandin glycerol ester formation. The biosynthesis of PGH, PGD, PGE, PGF, and TXA-2-glyceryl ester compounds have all been documented. In RAW 264.7 cells, PGD2-2-glyceryl ester is the main COX metabolite. The 2-glyceryl ester moiety equilibrates rapidly (within minutes) with the more stable 1-glyceryl ester, producing a 10:90 mixture of the 1- and 2-glyceryl esters in typical aqueous media. While the stability and metabolism of these PG products have been investigated, little is known about their intrinsic biological activity.
