%0 Journal Article %T Novel anti-cancer effect of 2-arachidonoylglycerol via processing body formation in HCA-7 human colon cancer cells. %A Misao T %A Fukushima K %A Fujino H %J Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat %V 174 %N 0 %D 2024 Jun 13 %M 38876400 %F 3.813 %R 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2024.106861 %X The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) has been reported to exhibit anticancer effects, including against colorectal cancer (CRC); however, the detailed mechanisms have not been clarified. Herein, we demonstrated that 2-AG suppressed cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression induced by prostaglandin E2 in human colon cancer HCA-7 cells. The suppression of COX-2 expression by 2-AG was through the acceleration of processing body (P-body) formation followed by COX-2 mRNA degradation. These effects were restored by TAK-715, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK. Therefore, the effect of 2-AG on COX-2 may be distinct from conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs inhibit the function of COX-2, whereas 2-AG suppresses the protein expression of COX-2. Recently, the cardiovascular risks of NSAIDs were reported by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States. Therefore, elucidation of the effect of 2-AG is expected to contribute to the development of an alternative and novel therapeutic option that would have no or fewer risks regarding cardiovascular events.