Arachidonic acid is a component of cell membranes.
It is liberated by phospholipase A2 and is subsequently metabolized by two main pathways controlled by two enzymes, cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase.
This metabolism gives rise to the eicosanoids (leukotrienes, thromboxanes, prostacyclins, and prostaglandins). These chemicals reduce the C fiber threshold and thus sensitize them to other pain-producing chemicals and stimuli.

This pathway is the target for treatment of inflammation and pain with non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicines.

- Suzuki R, Sikandar S, Dickenson AH. Nociception: basic principles. In: Bruera ED, Portenoy RK (eds) Cancer Pain Assessment and Management. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. 2010.
- Greene ER, Huang S, Serhan CN, Panigrahy D. Regulation of inflammation in cancer by eicosanoids. Prostaglandins other lipid mediators. 2011 (1-4):27-36.