Cannabinoid receptor dependent and independent anti-proliferative effects of omega-3 ethanolamides in androgen receptor positive and negative prostate cancer cell lines

Abstract

There is good evidence that omega-3 fatty acids have anti-tumour effects. In the present investigation we have shown that the omega-3 fatty acid ethanolamides, docosahexaenoyl ethanolamide (DHEA) and eicosapentaenoyl ethanolamide (EPEA), display significantly greater anti-proliferative potency than their parent omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in LNCaP and PC3 prostate cancer cells. From experiments with membranes from mouse brain and from Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with human cannabinoid CB2 receptors, we have also discovered that DHEA and EPEA activate cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors with significant potency, suggesting they are endocannabinoids.