Effect of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) on the Human System

Due to the primary function of COX-1 in the protection of the stomach lining from harmful substances,
the consumption of non-selective NSAIDS is often associated with the aggravation of harmful symptoms
like formation of gastrointestinal ulcers, bleeding, digestive upset, nausea and vomiting. Further, the
activities of blood clot prevention by NSAIDS may also result in side effects like delayed wound healing
and bruising. COX-2 selective NSAIDS, due to their selective action, may not be associated with
gastrointestinal symptoms but may result in cardiovascular symptoms such as thrombosis and
myocardial infarction (Akgul et al. 2018).
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are a group of drugs which are prevalently
prescribed for the reduction of pain, decreasing of fever, prevention of blood clots and the overall
regulation of harmful inflammatory processes when administered in high dosages. Some common
examples of NSAIDS include: ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen (Akgul et al. 2018). Some of the
earliest developments of NSAIDS can be dated back to 1897, when the pharmaceutical company
‘Bayer’ and Felix Hoffman discovered the medicinal properties of acetylsalicylic, converted from
salicylic acid, which was later titled ‘aspirin’ by Heinrich Dreser. The 1950s further witnessed the
development of additional NSAIDS. NSAIDS are available in the form of two groups: COX 2 selective
and non-selective (Calaf and Roy 2017).
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
School of life sciences, University Of Bedfordshire, Park square, Luton
Akgul, O., Di Cesare Mannelli, L., Vullo, D., Angeli, A., Ghelardini, C., Bartolucci, G., Alfawaz
Altamimi, A.S., Scozzafava, A., Supuran, C.T. and Carta, F., 2018. Discovery of Novel Nonsteroidal
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors Hybrids (NSAIDs–CAIs) for the
Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Journal of medicinal chemistry, 61(11), pp.4961-4977.
Breivik, H., 2017. NSAIDs relieve osteoarthritis (OA) pain, but cardiovascular safety in question
even for diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib: what are the
alternatives?. Scandinavian journal of pain, 16(1), pp.148-149.
Calaf, G.M. and Roy, D., 2017. NSAIDs: Multiple roles in multiple environments.
Díaz González, F. and Sánchez Madrid, F., 2015. NSAIDs: learning new tricks from old‐ ‐
drugs. European journal of immunology, 45(3), pp.679-686.
Tsioulias, G.J., Go, M.F. and Rigas, B., 2015. NSAIDs and colorectal cancer control: promise and
challenges. Current pharmacology reports, 1(5), pp.295-301.
Mechanism of actionIntroduction
Disease treatment
Adverse effects
References
The aim of this presententation is to understand the effect of Non-steoridal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) on the human system through the evaluation of their developmental history, mechanism
of actiion in disease treatment and possibilities of advserve effets.
NSAIDS are prevalently used for the treatment of diseases characterized by inflammation such as
arthritis, tendonitis and bursitis for the purpose of achieving the pharmacological response of
swelling, pain and stiffness in the bone and joints. Reduced doses of NSAIDS may also be
recommended for the purpose of treating cardiovascular symptoms in to reduce inflammatory effects
and formation of harmful blood clots on the blood vessels. NSAIDS may also be used for the purpose
of alleviating symptoms of pain and increased temperatures during fever, headaches, sprains and
colds (Breivik 2017).
NSAIDS exert their anti-inflammatory mechanism of actions by the prevention of the activities of pro-
inflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) which is associated with the production of inflammatory
effects and the resultant pain in the body. COX-1 exerts its functions by providing protection to the lining
of the stomach from damaging gastric acids and harmful foreign chemicals and the maintenance of renal
functioning (Díaz González and Sánchez Madrid 2015). COX-2 is commonly produced as an inflammatory‐ ‐
response towards injuries and pain in the bone and joints. Non-selective NSAIDS inhibit the functioning of
both COX-1 and COX-2 resulting in reduced inflammation and prevention of blood clot formation by
hindering aggregation of platelets. NSAIDS which are COX-2 selective exert their mechanism of action by
only preventing the activities of COX-2 (Tsioulias, Go and Rigas 2015).
Hence, it can be observed that NSAIDS are a common class of drugs which have been used historically
for the management of cardiovascular symptoms and painful inflammatory conditions through the
inhibition of COX enzymes. Despite its traditional effectiveness, NSAIDS have been associated with a
number of side effects pertaining to gastrointestinal well-being and aggravation of cardiovascular
symptoms. Hence, it can be concluded that, health professionals must carefully administer these drugs
through careful monitoring and mitigation of adverse health outcomes in the patient.
Conclusion