Compound 48/80 is a potent inhibitor of phospholipase C and a dual modulator of phospholipase A2 from human platelet.

Compound 48/80 inhibited phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activity from human platelets. Whereas 1 microgram/ml of compound 48/80 slightly stimulated Ca2+-dependent phospholipase A2, higher concentrations led to dose-dependent inhibition of this platelet enzyme. This biphasic effect was confirmed with phospholipases A2 purified from rat liver and human synovial fluid. The aggregation of human platelets induced by ADP and PAF-acether was inhibited by compound 48/80, whereas the aggregation induced by ionophore A23187 was not modified by this compound. These results demonstrate that the inhibition of platelet aggregation by compound 48/80 is not due solely to effects on calmodulin as previously reported, but that inhibition of phospholipases and probably arachidonate mobilization may also be involved.