/10/2023 Article Revised on 16/11/2023 Article Accepted on 06/12/2023
INTRODUCTION
Prostaglandins (PG) is the generic name for a group of 
closely related, cyclic, oxygenated 20 
C-atom containing 
unsaturated fatty acids. These are considered to be 
derived from a hypothetical parent acid called prostanoic 
acid which is a 20 C-atom containing fatty acid with a 
five-membered cyclopentane ring.
[1-3]
PG is not just one substance, but
a whole family of 
compounds (PGA, B, C, D, E and F) and are formed in 
most of the tissues
.
[4]
Prostaglandin was first isolated 
from seminal fluid present in the prostate gland, in 1935 
by the Swedish
physiologist Ulf von Euler[5]
and 
independently by the Irish
-English physiologist Maurice 
Walter Goldblatt (1895
–1967) and hence the name 
prostaglandins was given to those compounds which is a 
misnomer.
[6-8] The inflammatory mediators derived from 
the membrane phospholipids are called "eicosanoids", 
which include PGs,
thromboxanes, leukotrienes and 
platelet-activating
factor (PAF). The eicosanoids are 
derived from arachidonic acid which is also called eicosa 
tetraenoic acid
.
[9]
It is a 20 C-atom containing 
unsaturated fatty acid having four double bonds (eicosa 
20 C-atom; tetraenoic 4 double bonds). The term 
prostanoids includes only PGs and thromboxanes.
[10,11]
NOMENCLATURE
The nomenclature of eicosanoids (particularly of PGs) is 
a bit confusing. These are the derivatives of arachidonic 
acid. All prostaglandins have a cyclopentane ring with a 
double bond between C-13 and C-14 and an OH group at 
C-15. The subscript "2" denotes that the PG has a total 
number of two double bonds in the side chain (inclusive 
of that between C13-C14). The subscript "α" denotes that 
the orientation of the OH group at the 9-position of the 
cyclopentane ring is above the plane of that ring.
The names of the first two PGs were assigned on their 
method of separation: PGE from Ether and PGF from 
phosphate buffer (Fosfat in Swedish language). PGA and 
PGB were so named because the former was stable in 
Acid while the latter in Base. The alphabets like D, H
and I were later suffixed to PGs in a random manner. 
PGE2 has a C=O group at position 9 and an OH group at 
SJIF Impact Factor 6.222
Review 
Article
ISSN 2394
-3211
EJPMR
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL
AND MEDICAL RESEARCH
www.ejpmr.com
ejpmr, 2024, 11(1), 130-139
ABSTRACT
Prostaglandins are bioactive lipid compounds derived from fatty acids and are important signalling molecules in 
the human body. They exert their effects by binding to sp
ecific receptors known as prostaglandin receptors. These 
receptors are integral to a wide range of physiological processes, including inflammation, pain perception, blood 
flow regulation, and reproductive functions. There are several types of prostaglandin receptors, classified into 
various families, including EP, FP, DP, IP, and TP receptors. Each type of receptor responds to specific 
prostaglandin subtypes. The activation of prostaglandin receptors triggers intracellular signalling cascades, 
ultimately leading to diverse effects, such as vasodilation, vasoconstriction, inflammation, and pain perception.
In 
inflammation, prostaglandins promote vasodilation, making blood vessels wider to allow immune cells to reach the 
affected area, resulting in redness and
swelling. They also contribute to pain perception by sensitizing nerve 
endings. Prostaglandins are crucial for regulating blood pressure and blood clotting. Some types cause 
vasoconstriction, while others cause vasodilation. This balance affects blood pre
ssure. In reproductive health, 
prostaglandins play a key role in uterine contractions during menstruation and labour. Understanding the 
interactions between prostaglandins and their receptors is essential for developing targeted therapies and 
medications. Medications that either stimulate or inhibit specific prostaglandin receptors can be used to treat 
various medical conditions. Many research had been carried out to develop and make use of prostaglandin 
analogues to treat various diseases. But with the changing era and advancement in technology, more emphasis on 
research and development is required for the benefit of health care system.
KEYWORDS:
Prostaglandins, eicosanoids, biosynthetic pathways, Prostanoid Receptors