Competitive sphingosine kinase (SphK) inhibitor. Exhibits inhibitory activity in platelets and in cytosolic extracts from U937, Swiss 3T3 and PC12 cells. Selectively inhibits sphingosine phosphorylation; does not inhibit N-acylation, and displays no inhibitory effect on protein kinase C at concentrations that inhibit SphK. Increases the release of IL-1β and MCP-1 in cultured astrocytes; thought to mediate mechanical allodynia via this mechanism. Purity 98%. MW (observed): 327.55