Arvanil is a structural analog of capsaicin, which is the noxious active component of hot peppers of the Capsicum family. It is the amide of vanillylamine and arachidonic acid. Arvanil induces analgesia in rat and mouse models of pain. Arvanil has complex interactions with the cannabinoid system, in that it potentiates the agonist activity of endogenous cannabinoids by inhibiting the reuptake of arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA). It is an agonist at CB1 (Ki values of 0.25 to 0.52 μM), but not CB2, receptors, and is resistant to hydrolysis by FAAH. The vasodilator, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties of arvanil are not clearly explained by its interactions with cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors, suggesting other possible sites of action.
