Chemicals and Drugs

Arachidonic Acid

An unsaturated, essential fatty acid. It is found in animal and human fat as well as in the liver, brain, and glandular organs, and is a constituent of animal phosphatides. It is formed by the synthesis from dietary linoleic acid and is a precursor in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

An unsaturated, essential fatty acid. It is found in animal and human fat as well as in the liver, brain, and glandular organs, and is a constituent of animal phosphatides. It is formed by the synthesis from dietary linoleic acid and is a precursor in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.

Chemical Identity

Chemical Information

Molecular Formula
C20H32O2
Molecular Weight
304.5 g/mol
CAS Registry No.
506-32-1
IUPAC Name
(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-icosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenoic acid
InChIKey
YZXBAPSDXZZRGB-DOFZRALJSA-N
SMILES
CCCCC/C=C\C/C=C\C/C=C\C/C=C\CCCC(=O)O
MeSH Unique ID
D016718
Source
PubChem CID 444899

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

14 entry terms
  • (all-Z)-5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoic acid
  • Vitamin F
  • Arachidonic Acid, (all-Z)-Isomer, 1-(14)C-Labeled
  • Arachidonic Acid, (all-Z)-isomer, 3H-Labeled
  • Arachidonic Acid, Ammonium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer
  • Arachidonic Acid, Cerium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer
  • Arachidonic Acid, Cesium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer
  • Arachidonic Acid, Lithium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer
  • Arachidonic Acid, Potassium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer
  • Arachidonic Acid, Sodium Salt
  • Arachidonic Acid, Sodium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer
  • Arachidonic Acid, Zinc Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer
  • Sodium Arachidonate
  • Arachidonate, Sodium

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

28 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

do not confuse with ARACHIDONIC ACIDS

MeSH Record

History Note

92; was ARACHIDONIC ACID (NM) 1981-91

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Arachidonic Acids (1975-1991)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Arachidonic Acid. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D016718. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D016718
  2. Arachidonic Acid. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arachidonic_acid
  3. Arachidonic Acid. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q407699
  4. Arachidonic Acid. In: PubChem Compound. CID 444899. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/444899