Prostanoids and inflammatory pain

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 NSAID like drugs. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the roles of individual prostanoids in modulating inflammatory pain.