Synthetic NSAIDs vs Natural NSAIDs

Thousands of years ago, when there were no drugs and medication was available to treat the pain of any cause, plants were the only source to get relief from it. From ancient times to now the use of plant products as herbal medicine is not the out fashion thing to adapt or leave according to the trends. As science progresses the use of synthetic medicines grabs the strong position in our lives and we become more dependent on synthetic drugs despite knowing the side effects of these drugs.

What are NSAIDS and why are used?

Pain is the normal response of the body when any tissue injury occurs. Tissue injury disrupts cell membrane activates the arachidonic pathway which starts the production of prostaglandin, the pain-causing hormones in the body under the action of cyclooxygenase COX-1, COX-2, and Lipoxygenase 5-lox. Another pathway is involved in the synthesis of Prostaglandin is NF-kB transcription factor activator. It is the protein found in the bounded form in cytoplasm involves in the initiation of DNA transcription of protein NF-kB to induce the synthesis cytokines, chemokine, and adhesion molecules which are the initiator of the inflammatory process.

NSAIDs have been divided into six groups; salicylates, acetic acid, propionic acid, oxicams, fenamates, and COX-2 inhibitors. Aspirin from the group salicylates consider as safe and low cost due to its long history of safety, likewise, Naproxen from propionic acid is considered as the safest NSAIDs by the researchers. Although this medication is safe to take for immediate relief as in the case of osteoporosis, arthritis, and other joint disorders but it affects the GI tract, kidney, and heart more. The National Kidney Foundation asserts that approximately 10% of kidney failures per year are directly correlated to substantial overuse of NSAIDs.

Adverse effects of NSAIDs 

• Kidney failure by stimulation of the renin-angiotensin system,
• Delay muscle regeneration are the reduce ligament
• Reduce ligament, tendon and cartilage healing,        
• Selective inhibition of COX-2 will lead to the inhibition of prostacyclin and cause the risk of clot formation.

Why there is increased demand for natural medicines?

Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical are the two main industries working side by side but no one ever thinks that, when immunity gets zero due to our unhealthy diet, lifestyle and consumption of synthetic drugs nutraceutical will be the one which leads the world because of its more potent drug compounds with minimal side effects.

Nutraceutical is now taken as the alternative of pharmaceutical, because of its presence in the food which sometimes we consume but not really because most of them served as herbs with physiological effects and make our body’s immune system strong and keep it away from diseases. For example, the use of green tea, Ginkgo Biloba, turmeric, chia seeds, and many more have been increased with its anti-oxidant properties.

Natural NSAIDS worked by the same pathways as synthetic NSAIDs

• Omega-3-fatty acid, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from fish, inhibits IL-1b and TNF-α to stops the production of prostaglandin hence, further pain and inflammation. These components are effective in treating Arthritis and prevent Neurodegenerative disorder.
• White willow bark with active component Salicin, chemically similar to Aspirin, inhibits COX-1 and COX-2.
• Turmeric with active agent Curcumin, Green tea with Catechins, and Chili pepper with Capsaicin inhibits NF-kB which stops the synthesis of prostaglandin.
• Maritime pine bark contains Pycnogenol a combination of active Polyphenols and Resveratrol from Japanese knotweed inhibits TNF alpha-induced NF-kB activation. It has been considered helpful for wound healing, treating scurvy, healing of ulcers, and reducing vascular inflammation.
• Boswellia serrata resin (Frankincense) produced a gum resin inhibits 5-LOX. A combination of Boswellia and curcumin showed superior efficacy and tolerability compared with no steroidal diclofenac for treating active osteoarthritis.

FDA approved the quantity of these herbs and proved the efficacy by pre-clinical as well as clinical studies. The main concern for the time is to keep adding these herbs in daily food which we consume and maintain a healthy diet to prevent diseases like Diabetes, heart diseases, kidney failure, and osteoporosis.

By: Nimrah Maqsood