Abstract
The effect of cepharanthine on the metabolism of arachidonic acid from peritoneal exudate cells was examined using rats. The following results were obtained: (a) When the peritoneal exudate cells labeled with 14C-arachidonic acid were stimulated with formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine in the presence of cepharanthine, the release of arachidonic acid from the cells was markedly suppressed. (b) When the peritoneal exudate cells were activated with calcium ionophore A23187 in the presence of cephar-anthine, the production of leukotriene B4 from the cells was also suppressed. These results indicate that cepharanthine may be able to inhibit inflammation by blocking the metabolism of arachidonic acid.
