Is licofelone, a dual inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase, a promising alternative in anti-inflammatory therapy?
As prostaglandins and leukotrienes are critical in inflammation, dual cyclo-oxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase enzymes inhibitors, especially licofelone, are being developed by pharmaceutical companies. Experimental data indicate that licofelone shares the antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet activities of conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and exhibits anti-allergic properties. Although licofelone may lead to similar adverse effects on the kidney than available NSAIDs, it appeared to induce less gastrointestinal damaging effects than nonselective NSAIDs in animals. Unfortunately, preliminary clinical studies provided less impressive data with respect to efficacy. Finally, the experimental promise of licofelone as a safe and potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent remains to be proved in humans.
Bannwarth
Bernard
B
Service de Rhumatologie, Groupe hospitalier Pellegrin & Laboratoire de Thérapeutique, EA 525, Université Victor Segalen, Bordeaux, France. bernard.bannwarth@u-bordeaux2.fr
D000085:Acetates / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001094:Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004064:Digestive System / Q000187:drug effects; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000085:Acetates; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D015777:Eicosanoids; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D001094:Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; C088092:licofelone