Abstract
1. Abstract There is currently a pressing need to develop new therapeutic alternatives to the annual influenza vaccines and the existing antiviral agents such as oseltamivir and zanamivir. Palmitoyl Ethanol Amide (PEA), an endogenous anti-inflammatory compound and PPAR alpha and gamma agonist, available as food supplement, might be such an innovation. PEA has been tested in a variety of animal models and reduced mortality after inoculation with various microorganisms. PEA may also modulate ‘cytokine storm’, and reduces the secretion of pro-inflammatory proteins such as NGF, CXCL1, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. PEA inhibits iNOS expression and nuclear NF-κ B translocation. PEA further inhibits overactive mast cells, which play a role in the pathogenesis of the ‘cytokine storm’. Furthermore, PEA has been clinically evaluated in 6 randomized double blind placebo controlled trials in over 3000 patients and was found to be effective and safe in the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza and respiratory tract infections. We will review data supporting PEA’s role as an adjunct to antiviral treatment and discuss some of its supposed mechanism of action. 2. Keywords: Cytokine Storm; Flu; Infection; Inflammation; Mast Cells; PPAR
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