Study on the prostaglandin antagonistic activity of aligeron and piracetam

The interaction of aligeron and piracetam with the effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) E2 (PGE2) was studied using in vitro and in vivo tests for evaluation of PG antagonistic activity. Aligeron was found to be a non-selective PG antagonist in isolated guinea-pig stomach smooth muscle preparations. It antagonized the PGF2 alpha and PGE2-induced fall in blood pressure in cats prevented diarrhoea induced by PGF2 alpha in mice, inhibited rat paw oedema induced by PGE2 in rats, but did not modify the PGF2 alpha induced bronchoconstriction in guinea-pigs. Piracetam did not antagonize the smooth muscle contractile effects of PGF2 alpha and PGE2 and in the in vivo tests it inhibited only the rat paw oedema induced by PGE2. It is concluded that aligeron is active in vitro and in vivo as an antagonist of some of the actions of PGs studied. Its effect in vitro lacks selectivity and is probably due to interference with the action of Ca2+. The probable clinical implication of these results will be discussed. Piracetam can not be considered a PG antagonist.