Other names for Prostaglandins

eicosanoids
prostanoids

Synopsis of Prostaglandins

Prostaglandins are a group of biologically active lipid compounds derived from arachidonic acid, a fatty acid found in cell membranes. They are part of a broader group of molecules called eicosanoids, which also includes leukotrienes and thromboxanes. Unlike hormones that are secreted by glands and act at distant sites, prostaglandins act locally and transiently, exerting their effects near the cells that produce them.

They are synthesized by nearly all nucleated cells in response to various stimuli such as injury, infection, or hormonal changes. There are several types (e.g., PGE1, PGE2, PGF2α, PGI2), each with distinct actions depending on the tissue and receptor involved.

Prostaglandins regulate a wide range of physiological processes, including:

• Inflammation and pain signaling

• Fever response

• Vasodilation and vasoconstriction

• Uterine contractions and menstrual cramping

• Platelet aggregation and clotting

• Gastric mucosal protection

• Renal blood flow and fluid balance

Medical Information

Prostaglandins play a central role in both health and disease. Their production is primarily mediated by the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, COX-1 and COX-2:

• COX-1: Constitutively active and involved in maintaining normal physiological functions like protecting the stomach lining.

• COX-2: Inducible during inflammation and injury, leading to elevated prostaglandin levels and symptoms like pain, swelling, and fever.

Medical relevance includes:

• Inflammatory conditions (e.g., arthritis, asthma): Linked to excess prostaglandin activity.

• Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea): Caused by excessive uterine prostaglandin production, particularly PGF2α.

• Fever: Mediated by PGE2 in the hypothalamus.

• NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, aspirin): Work by inhibiting COX enzymes to reduce prostaglandin synthesis, thereby reducing pain, inflammation, and fever.

• Labor induction: Synthetic prostaglandins like misoprostol are used to stimulate uterine contractions.

While essential for healing and homeostasis, excessive or chronic prostaglandin activity can contribute to disease and tissue damage.

Natural remedies to support Prostaglandins

Omega-3 fatty acids: Compete with omega-6 fats (e.g., arachidonic acid) to reduce inflammatory prostaglandin synthesis.

Turmeric (curcumin): Inhibits COX-2 and reduces pro-inflammatory prostaglandins.

Ginger: Acts as a natural COX and lipoxygenase inhibitor.

Magnesium: Helps reduce menstrual cramps linked to prostaglandins.

Vitamin E: Modulates prostaglandin synthesis, especially in reproductive tissues.

Evening primrose oil: Rich in GLA, helps balance inflammatory prostaglandin production.

Antioxidants: Reduce oxidative stress that triggers prostaglandin upregulation.

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to support Prostaglandins.

algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
black cohosh
calamari oil
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
turmeric
curcumin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fish oil
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
linoleic acid (LA)
magnesium
oleic acid
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-3 fatty acids
perilla
vitamin C
vitamin E
wild yam
zinc
dioscorea
algal oil
Arachidonic Acid
Algal Oil
Arachidic acid
Agnusides
Acetylsalicylic acid
Alpha-Linolenic Acid
alkaloid
Agnuside
Boswellia serrata
Boswellic Acid
Boswellia
Butter
Boswellic acids
Butter fat
Docosahexaenoic Acid
DHA
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
Eicosatetraenoic acid
Ethyl Ester
Ester derivatives (unspecified)
Evening Primrose oil
Fat (unspecified)
Fish roe oil
Fatty Acid (unspecified)
Fatty Acid Esters (Unspecified)
Feverfew
Gamma Linolenic Acid
Ginsenosides
Gamma-linolenic acid
Gingerol
Ginger oleoresin
Ginkgo
Krill Oil
Linolenic Acids
Linoleic Acid
Linolenic acid
Lipids (unspecified)
Linolenic acid (unspecified)
Lipids
Mortierella alpina
Marine lipid (unspecified)
Omega-6
Oleic Acid
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Omega Blend
Omega-3
Omega-3
Perilla Oil
Panax Ginseng
Panax Pseudoginseng
Plant oil (unspecified)
Polyunsaturated Fat
Polyunsaturated fatty acid
Panax Notoginseng
Schizochytrium Oil
Salicylate (unspecified)
Schizochytrium
Salicin
Salmon Oil
Soybean Oil
Sesame Oil
Soybean Oil
Schizochytrium
Total Fat
Triglyceride (unspecified)
Unsaturated Fat
vegetable oil
Vegetable fat (unspecified)
Vegetable Oil (unspecified)
Vegetable Fat
Vegetable Oil (not specified)
vegetable oil
Zingiberene