Prostaglandins
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Prostaglandins (PGs) occur virtually in all mammalian tissues and possess numerous and diverse pharmacological actions.
Prostaglandins
INTRODUCTION
Prostaglandins
(PGs) occur virtually in all mammalian tissues and possess numerous and diverse
pharmacological actions. They are comprised of a large number of unsaturated
hydroxy, lipids like acids containing 20 carbon atoms. Since they were
extracted from prostate gland and seminal vesicles of several animal species,
including that of human semen, the term prostaglandin was used for them. It is
isolated and purified as hydroxy fatty acid fraction from lipid extracts of
seminal vesicles and from it the two biologically active substances, that is,
PG E and F, were isolated. Some active compounds were derived from oxygenation
of arachidonic acid, a precursor released from membrane phospholipids. The
anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of aspirin and the related nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are due to their inhibitory effects on PG
formation.
They are
also reported to be present in significant quantities in the reproductive
tissues, developing foetus and deciduals, umbilical cord, amniotic fluid,
endometrium, menstrual fluid, epidermis, thymus, thyroid, and nerves. Further,
in most of the organs, except for genital tissue, the PG is present as
prostaglandin E (PGE) and prostaglandin F2 (PGF2).
Therapeutic potential of PGs are in the treatment of blood pressure, bronchial
functions, atherosclerosis, heart attack, inhibition of blood clot formation,
childbirth, abortions, stomach ulcers, and other related syndromes.
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