[Primary role and extraction of arachidonic acid].

Arachidonic acid (AA), which is one of the essential fatty acids in the human body, plays an important physiological, pharmacological and health role. This paper discusses the general characteristics of arachidonic acid, physiological, pharmacological effects and health roles. There are also a comparison of arachidonic acid extraction methods and domestic developments and problems existed. At last, it is prospected the trend of its development.