Nervonic Acid

Nervonic Acid (CAS No.: 506-37-6) is a bioactive monounsaturated very long-chain fatty acid enriched in neural tissues, where it is a key component of sphingolipids such as sphingomyelin in the myelin sheath, and is biosynthetically derived through elongation pathways from shorter-chain fatty acids. It has gained significant attention in neurobiology and drug discovery due to its involvement in myelin maintenance and its reduced levels in demyelinating and neurodegenerative conditions, including multiple sclerosis and certain leukodystrophies, as well as in genetic models associated with Parkinsonian pathology. Mechanistically, Nervonic Acid exhibits anti-inflammatory activity primarily through inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby modulating inflammation-associated gene expression and contributing to cellular protection and potential support of myelin repair processes. In addition to its effects on inflammatory signaling, it has been reported to interact with enzymatic targets such as DNA polymerase β and viral reverse transcriptase, with inhibitory activity observed in the low micromolar range, suggesting broader biochemical relevance. In biomedical research, Nervonic Acid is widely utilized to investigate neuroinflammation, myelination dynamics, and neuroprotective mechanisms in both in vitro cellular systems and in vivo animal models, with experimental concentrations or dosing regimens varying depending on study design and specific research objectives.