Anti-inflammatory activity of S-adenosyl-L-methionine: interference with the eicosanoid system.

S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) displays anti-inflammatory as well as antalgic activity without damaging the gastrointestinal mucosa in experimental animals. In fact, carrageenin-induced edema in rats and writhings provoked in mice by phenylquinone and acetic acid are controlled by SAMe in a dose dependent manner. Since PG-like substance concentration in the inflammatory exudate decreased in SAMe-treated animals the mode of action of this compound is also discussed, in view of SAMe ability to interfere with the eicosanoid system.