mechanism of action of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
The antiinflammatory effect of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents is due mainly to inhibition of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which is required for synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes. There are two COX isoforms: COX1, which is expressed constitutively in most tissues and is thought to protect the gastric mucosa and platelets, and COX2, which is expressed constitutively in the brain and kidney but can be induced at sites of inflammation. Traditional NSAIDs are nonselective COX1 and COX2 inhibitors, whereas celecoxib is a selective COX2 inhibitor.
