The article contains sections titled:
1.
History
2.
Structure, Nomenclature, and Physical Properties
3.
Occurrence and Biosynthesis
4.
Pharmacological Effects and Uses
5.
Syntheses
Prostaglandins are formed from
arachidonic acid
. Those and all other derivatives of arachidonic acid, e.g., prostacyclins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes, and lipoxines are called eicosanoids. Most eicosanoids are chemically and metabolically unstable. Therefore, many pharmaceutical companies have tried to improve the stability by modifying the original structures. Several of these analogues have already reached the market in different therapeutic indications or show promising results in clinical trials. This article describes the chemical and pharmacological properties of the natural derivatives and their analogues as well as the synthetic access to some of the natural compounds.