All prostaglandins work by inducing an increase in the intracellular second messenger cyclic AMP by attaching to particular cell surface receptors (and in some cases, cyclic GMP also). The cyclic aMP rise has a different effect depending on the cell type. There is also a positive feedback effect in some situations.

Increased cyclic AMP stimulates prostaglandin production, which leads to even more cyclic AMP. Prostaglandins are powerful mediators of a wide range of physiological activities. They have a role in smooth muscle contraction. They also play a role in inflammation and body temperature regulation.

They have a number of essential roles in regulating cellular processes, particularly in the inflammatory response, where they can serve as vascular vasodilators, induce vasoconstriction or vasodilation in conjunction with bronchodilation in the lungs, and operate as hyperalgesics.

Because prostaglandins are rapidly destroyed in the lungs, they do not survive in the circulation. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulates the synthesis of cyclic AMP by acting on adenylate cyclase. It has different effects depending on the receptor it stimulates. When PGE2 attaches to prostaglandin E2 receptor 1 (EP1), it causes smooth muscle contraction in the gastrointestinal tract, but when it binds to prostaglandin E2 receptor 2 (EP2), it causes smooth muscle relaxation.

Prostaglandin D2 and F2α are two more kinds of prostaglandins that are naturally generated. Mast cells generate prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), which primarily recruits Th2 cells, eosinophils, and basophils. F2α (PGF2α) is a prostaglandin that has a role in uterine contraction and bronchoconstriction. Prostaglandins are frequently referred to as tissue hormones because of their hormone-like action.