Figure 1. Lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid in inflammation. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes generated by cyclooxygenase (COX) and the 5, 12, and 15 lipoxygenases amplify inflammation. Lipoxins are generated through transcellular biosynthetic routes through the action of two lipoxygenases on the same arachidonic acid molecule to act as endogenous stop signals in inflammation. NSAID: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.