IBMX (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine), like other xanthine, is both a:
-
competitive non-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor
which raises intracellular cAMP, activates PKA, TNF inhibitor and leukotriene synthesis, and reduces inflammation and innate immunity, and
-
nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist.
As a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, IBMX has IC50 = 2–50 μM and does not inhibit PDE8 or PDE9.