CGS 8515 selectively inhibited 5-LO (IC50 = 0.1 microM) with negligible effect on CO, 12-LO, 15-LO and TxS at concentrations up to 100 microM. 2. CGS 8515 selectively inhibited A23187-induced formation of 5-LO products in rat and human whole blood with a 20-70 fold separation of effects over the formation of CO products. 3. Ex vivo and in vivo studies with rats showed that CGS 8515, at an oral dose of 2-50 mg/kg, significantly inhibited A23187-induced formation of LTs in whole blood and in the lung. The effect persisted for at least 6 h in the ex vivo blood model. 4. CGS 8515, at oral doses as low as 5 mg/kg, significantly suppressed exudate volume and leukocyte migration in the carrageenan-induced pleurisy and sponge models in the rat.