The effect of an aqueous extract of Tanacetum parthenium L. on arachidonic acid metabolism by rat peritoneal leucocytes.

The effect of feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L., Schultz Bip.) as a whole plant on an aqueous extract equivalent to 20 mg dried plant per ml, has been examined on both cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase activity in rat leucocytes in-vitro. At 10-25 micrograms ml-1 feverfew had no effect on the formation of arachidonate metabolites while at highest concentrations (50-200 micrograms ml-1) it inhibited both cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolic products.