ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS
There are two groups of anti-inflammatory drugs:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also referred to as NSAID's often act on COX-2 enzymes which are mainly in the human central nervous system in order to treat pain; this is the mechanism of action for paracetamol[1]. NSAID's also inhibit the activity of COX-1 (cyclooxygenase-1) enzymes. By inhibiting the COX enzymes the arachidonic acid pathway is disrupted, which lowers the production or prostanoids and thromboxanes. Side affects of NSAID's are believed to be from the inhibition of COX-1. COX-1 is called a housekeeper enzyme and has a number of function throughout the body.
References
- ↑ Hinz,B. Cheremina, O. Brune, K. (2008) 'Do selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors and traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increase the risk of atherothrombosis? Meta-analysis of randomised trials', The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, vol. 22, no. 2, February, pp. 383-390. doi:10.1096/fj.07-8506com.