Described herein are methods of preparing cutin-derived monomers, oligomers, or combinations thereof from cutin-containing plant matter. The methods can include heating the cutin-derived plant matter in a solvent at elevated temperature and pressure. In some preferred embodiments, the methods can be carried out without the use of additional acidic or basic species.

This disclosure concerns fatty acid derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the fatty acid derivatives, and methods of using the fatty acid derivatives, for example, to treat inflammation, chronic itch, chronic pain, an autoimmune disorder, atherosclerosis, a skin disorder, arthritis, a neurodegenerative disorder, or a psychiatric disorder in a subject. In some embodiments, the fatty acid derivative is a compound, or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having a structure according to: ##STR00001##
wherein X is from 1-16 carbons in length, Z is aliphatic from 1-16 carbons in length, or is not present, Y is selected from: ##STR00002##
R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen or lower alkyl, R.sup.4 is lower alkyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl, or amine, R.sup.5 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or halide, R.sup.6 is hydroxyl or substituted thiol, and each R.sup.7 is independently hydrogen or fluoride or is not present and the adjacent carbons form alkyne.

This disclosure concerns fatty acid derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the fatty acid derivatives, and methods of using the fatty acid derivatives, for example, to treat inflammation, chronic itch, chronic pain, an autoimmune disorder, atherosclerosis, a skin disorder, arthritis, a neurodegenerative disorder, or a psychiatric disorder in a subject. In some embodiments, the fatty acid derivative is a compound, or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having a structure according to: ##STR00001##
wherein X is from 1-16 carbons in length, Z is aliphatic from 1-16 carbons in length, or is not present, Y is selected from: ##STR00002##
R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen or lower alkyl, R.sup.4 is lower alkyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl, or amine, R.sup.5 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or halide, R.sup.6 is hydroxyl or substituted thiol, and each R.sup.7 is independently hydrogen or fluoride or is not present and the adjacent carbons form alkyne.

This disclosure concerns fatty acid derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the fatty acid derivatives, and methods of using the fatty acid derivatives, for example, to treat inflammation, chronic itch, chronic pain, an autoimmune disorder, atherosclerosis, a skin disorder, arthritis, a neurodegenerative disorder, or a psychiatric disorder in a subject. In some embodiments, the fatty acid derivative is a compound, or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having a structure according to:

##STR00001##

wherein X is from 1-16 carbons in length, Z is aliphatic from 1-16 carbons in length, or is not present, Y is selected from:

##STR00002##

R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen or lower alkyl, R.sup.4 is lower alkyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl, or amine, R.sup.5 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or halide, R.sup.6 is hydroxyl or substituted thiol, and each R.sup.7 is independently hydrogen or fluoride or is not present and the adjacent carbons form alkyne.

This disclosure concerns fatty acid derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the fatty acid derivatives, and methods of using the fatty acid derivatives, for example, to treat inflammation, chronic itch, chronic pain, an autoimmune disorder, atherosclerosis, a skin disorder, arthritis, a neurodegenerative disorder, or a psychiatric disorder in a subject. In some embodiments, the fatty acid derivative is a compound, or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having a structure according to:

##STR00001##

wherein X is from 1-16 carbons in length, Z is aliphatic from 1-16 carbons in length, or is not present, Y is selected from:

##STR00002##

R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen or lower alkyl, R.sup.4 is lower alkyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl, or amine, R.sup.5 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or halide, R.sup.6 is hydroxyl or substituted thiol, and each R.sup.7 is independently hydrogen or fluoride or is not present and the adjacent carbons form alkyne.

The present invention provides purified compounds extracted from seaweeds having the formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is each independently H or a fatty acid and their use for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.

The present invention provides purified compounds extracted from seaweeds having the formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is each independently H or a fatty acid and their use for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.

A method for producing a hydroxylated fatty acid by a hydration reaction using a novel enzyme derived from the genus Clostridium in the soil and using fatty acid as a substrate is provided by the present invention. In addition, a novel rare fatty acid with utility value which is obtained by the production method is also provided.

A method for producing a hydroxylated fatty acid by a hydration reaction using a novel enzyme derived from the genus Clostridium in the soil and using fatty acid as a substrate is provided by the present invention. In addition, a novel rare fatty acid with utility value which is obtained by the production method is also provided.

The present invention provides production of hydroxylated fatty acid by a hydration reaction using a novel enzyme derived from Lactobacillus and using fatty acid as a substrate, and further, a production method of oxo fatty acid by an enzyme reaction or chemical oxidation reaction using the hydroxylated fatty acid as a substrate. In addition, a valuable novel rare fatty acid obtained by such production method is also provided.