Abscisic Acid ((2Z,4E)-5-[(1S)-1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-2-en-1-yl]-3-methylpenta-2,4-dienoic acid) is a plant hormone and growth regulator that is involved in several physiological mechanisms including seed dormancy, leaf abscission, stomatal movement, and plant stress responses. Through complex interactions with several intracellular signaling systems, it can regulate the expression of hundreds of plant genes. Abscisic Acid has also been found to be present in metazoans, from sponges up to mammals including humans. Currently, its biosynthesis and biological role in animals is poorly known. Abscisic acid has recently been shown to elicit potent anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects in mouse models of diabetes/obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, and influenza infection. Many biological effects in animals have been studied using Abscisic Acid as a nutraceutical or pharmacognostic drug, but Abscisic Acid is also generated endogenously by some cells. There are also conflicting conclusions from different studies, where some claim that Abscisic acid is essential for pro-inflammatory responses whereas other show anti-inflammatory effects. Like with many natural substances with medical properties, Abscisic Acid has become popular also in naturopathy. While Abscisic Acid clearly has beneficial biological activities and many naturopathic remedies will contain high levels of Abscisic Acid (such as wheatgrass juice, fruits, and vegetables), some of the health claims made may be exaggerated or overly optimistic. In mammalian cells Abscisic Acid targets a protein known as lanthionine synthetase C-like 2 (LANCL2), triggering an alternative mechanism of activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma).