erucic acid

Erucic acid is a 22-carbon monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid (22:1 n-9) found naturally in the seeds of the Brassicaceae family, such as rapeseed and mustard. It is clinically significant as a primary component of Lorenzo's Oil (a 4:1 mixture of glyceryl trioleate and glyceryl trierucate) used to treat X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). Erucic acid works by competitively inhibiting the ELOVL1 enzyme, which is responsible for the elongation of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). By reducing the endogenous production and subsequent accumulation of saturated VLCFAs like hexacosanoic acid (C26:0), it helps mitigate the progressive demyelination of the central nervous system characteristic of ALD. Beyond its established role in metabolic disorders, emerging research has explored its neuroprotective potential in Parkinson's disease models, where it may act by inhibiting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.

Other names

(Z)-docos-13-enoic acidcis-13-docosenoic acidcis13-docosenoic acidcis 13-docosenoic acid22:1 n-9docosenoic acid