Therapeutic role of dual inhibitors of 5-LOX and COX, selective and non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Abstract

Dual 5-LOX/COX inhibitors are potential new drugs to treat inflammation. They act by blocking the formation of both prostaglandins and leucotrienes but do not affect lipoxin formation. Such combined inhibition avoids some of the disadvantages of selective COX-2 inhibitors and spares the gatrointestinal mucosa.

Figure 1

Products and enzymes of arachidonic acid metabolism involved in the inflammatory process.

Figure 2

Products and enzymes of the 5-LOX pathway.

Figure 3

Products and enzymes of the LX pathway.

Figure 4

Inhibition of the different classes of anti-inflammatory drugs.