Carbacyclin is an agonist of prostacyclin (PGI2) receptor. Carbacyclin acts as an inhibitor of platelet aggregation induced by ADP or collagen in vitro. Carbacyclin is a PGI2 analogue, activates CPT-1 mRNA expression through PPARδ, independent of the IP receptor signaling pathway. Carbacyclin (0.02 μM to 20 μM) activates the IP receptor signaling pathway via PKA, and such an effect is inhibited by H-89, a PKA inhibitor. Carbacyclin (0.02-80 μM) increases PPRE promoter activity via PPARδ independent of the IP receptor signaling pathway in cardiomyocytes.

Carbacyclin is 0.03 times as active as prostacyclin on inhibiting platelet aggregation in human, dog or rabbit plasma. Carbacyclin (100 μg, i.p.) induces CPT-1 mRNA expression in murine heart.