Prostanoids play pivotal roles in inflammation and pain. Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors,
the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), depress prostanoid formation and are
widely used to treat inflammatory pain. However, their therapeutic benefit is offset by serious
side-effects, primarily gastrointestinal and cardiovascular complications. Pathway elements
downstream of the COX enzymes, particularly the terminal synthases and receptors of
prostaglandin E2, have been proposed as alternative targets for the development of novel …