Arachidonic Acid (sodium salt)

Arachidonic acid (sodium salt) is an essential fatty acid [1].

Arachidonic acid is an integral constituent of cell membrane, rendering it with fluidity and flexibility, so necessary for the function of all cells, especially in nervous system, skeletal muscle, and immune system. In its free form, arachidonic acid modulates the function of ion channels, several receptors and enzymes, via activation as well as inhibition [1].

Arachidonic acid at the concentration of 5 mM, irreversibly killed 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-week-old Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) and 9-, 10-, and 12-week-old Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) worms within 3 to 4 h [2]. In PC-3 prostate cancer cells, arachidonic acid (0, 0.1, 0.5, 5 or 10 μg/ml) induced expression of cox-2, cPLA₂ and c-fos message in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, proliferation of human prostate cells was significantly increased 48 h after arachidonic acid addition [3].  

In BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice, a single oral dose of arachidonic acid (500 or 1000 mg/kg for S. mansoni, 1000 mg/kg for S. haematobium) led to a significant reduction of 31.2 to 39.3% in the S. mansoni and 57% in the S. haematobium total worm burden [2].

References:

[1]. Tallima H, El Ridi R. Arachidonic acid: Physiological roles and potential health benefits - A review. Journal of Advanced Research, 2017, 11: 33-41.

[2]. El Ridi R, Aboueldahab M, Tallima H, et al. In vitro and in vivo activities of arachidonic acid against Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 2010, 54(8): 3383-3389.

[3]. Hughes-Fulford M, Tjandrawinata R R, Li C F, et al. Arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, induces cytoplasmic phospholipase A₂ in prostate carcinoma cells. Carcinogenesis, 2005, 26(9): 1520-1526.