Aceclofenac, 2-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl) amino] phenylacetoxyacetic acid, is a novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. We investigated the effects of aceclofenac on prostaglandin E 2 production by several kinds of human cells. Aceclofenac inhibited interleukin-1β-induced prostaglandin E 2 production by human rheumatoid synovial cells, but had no inhibitory effect on cyclooxygenase-1 or cyclooxygenase-2 activities by itself. We also observed that part of the aceclofenac was converted into diclofenac, the cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, when aceclofenac was incubated with human rheumatoid synovial cells. Aceclofenac was also converted into diclofenac and 4 -hydroxy diclofenac by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes. 4 -Hydroxy diclofenac suppressed prostaglandin E 2 production specifically by blocking cyclooxygenase-2 activity. These findings suggested that aceclofenac can be metabolized to cyclooxygenase inhibitors (diclofenac and/or 4 -hydroxy diclofenac) by these inflammatory cells. Although detailed examinations in non-inflammatory cells remain to be studied, we concluded that aceclofenac is shown to be a new type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which is intracellulary converted into active metabolites that inhibit the prostaglandin E 2 production.