A cell-permeable, thiazolidinedione derivative that acts as a 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) inhibitor (IC50=25nM). It is shown to increase PGE2 levels in IL-1b-stimulated A549 cells, dose-dependently, in the range of 0-20uM, and elicits cochlear blood flow (CBF) increase by 15% and 55% when applied intravenously to 250g guinea pigs at 10ug and 20ug respectively.