Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy.
Department of Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", 00185 Rome, Italy.
Biomolecules. 2022 May 5;12(5):667. doi: 10.3390/biom12050667.
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) stands out among endogenous lipid mediators for its neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic functions. PEA belonging to the N-acetylanolamine class of phospholipids was first isolated from soy lecithin, egg yolk, and peanut flour. It is currently used for the treatment of different types of neuropathic pain, such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and many other conditions. The properties of PEA, especially of its micronized or ultra-micronized forms maximizing bioavailability and efficacy, have sparked a series of innovative research to evaluate its possible application as therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases are widespread throughout the world, and although they are numerous and different, they share common patterns of conditions that result from progressive damage to the brain areas involved in mobility, muscle coordination and strength, mood, and cognition. The present review is aimed at illustrating in vitro and in vivo research, as well as human studies, using PEA treatment, alone or in combination with other compounds, in the presence of neurodegeneration. Namely, attention has been paid to the effects of PEA in counteracting neuroinflammatory conditions and in slowing down the progression of diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Multiple Sclerosis. Literature research demonstrated the efficacy of PEA in addressing the damage typical of major neurodegenerative diseases.
棕榈酰乙醇酰胺（PEA）因其具有神经保护、抗炎和镇痛作用而成为内源性脂质介质中的佼佼者。PEA 属于 N-乙酰乙醇胺类磷脂，最初从大豆卵磷脂、蛋黄和花生粉中分离出来。它目前用于治疗不同类型的神经性疼痛，如纤维肌痛、骨关节炎、腕管综合征和许多其他疾病。PEA 的特性，特别是其微粉化或超微粉化形式最大限度地提高生物利用度和疗效，引发了一系列创新性研究，以评估其作为神经退行性疾病治疗剂的可能应用。神经退行性疾病在全球范围内广泛存在，虽然它们数量众多且各不相同，但它们具有共同的特征，即与运动、肌肉协调和力量、情绪和认知有关的大脑区域的进行性损伤导致的状况。本综述旨在说明使用 PEA 治疗，单独或与其他化合物联合使用，在神经退行性病变存在的情况下，进行的体外和体内研究以及人体研究。也就是说，人们关注了 PEA 对抗神经炎症状况和减缓疾病进展的作用，如阿尔茨海默病、帕金森病、亨廷顿病、额颞叶痴呆、肌萎缩侧索硬化症和多发性硬化症。文献研究证明了 PEA 在解决主要神经退行性疾病的典型损伤方面的功效。
