Actions of gallic esters on the arachidonic acid metabolism of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Gallic esters with a varying chain length of its alcohol moiety produced strong inhibition of the conversion of [1- 14 C]-arachidonic acid to 5S-hydroxy-6E,8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) by isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Octyl gallate and decyl gallate were the most powerful inhibitors with a concentration of half-inhibition of about 1 μmol•1 −1 . Additionally these compounds caused however at 10 μmol•1 −1 a complete inhibition of the incorporation of arachidonic acid in triacylglycerols and phospholipids which is assumed to be a consequence of the damage to the energy metabolism of the cells