Cetylated fatty acid (CFA)

Cetylated fatty acids (CFAs) are a group of naturally occurring fats formed by the esterification of fatty acids (such as myristoleic, myristic, oleic, palmitic acids) to cetyl alcohol. CFAs, and especially cetyl myristoleate, have been marketed and studied mainly as dietary supplements for joint health and inflammation reduction. Preclinical and limited clinical data suggest that oral or topical administration of CFAs may decrease levels of inflammatory cytokines, lubricate and stabilize cell membranes, enhance joint mobility, and promote chondrogenic differentiation in vitro. They are not an enzyme, transporter, receptor, or protein target, but rather a bioactive lipid mixture employed in complementary and alternative medicine for conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory disorders. There is no well-defined, canonical molecular target for CFAs in the sense used in drug development or pharmacology.

Other names

cetylated fatty acidsCFAscetyl myristoleatecetylated myristic acidcetylated oleic acidCeladrin

acts as a biolubricant, softens tissues, potentially modulates inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1), stimulates chondrogenic markers in mesenchymal stem cells