Indian scientists have produced five new compounds, which are more effective in fighting inflammation than commonly drugs such as aspirin and nimesulide.
Inflammation is a condition commonly characterised with pain and swelling, and is associated with diseases such as arthritis.
"These compounds are about 10,000 times better than the commonly used pain drugs such as nimesulide and aspirin in terms of potency," T P Singh, head of the Department of Biophysics at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, whose team carried out the work, said.
A team of AIIMS scientists, which carried out the work, has patented the compounds. These compounds do not have any side effects as 'these compounds belong to the category of peptides which are already present in our tissues,' Singh told PTI on the sidelines of the 93rd session of science congress in Hyderabad.
"We have already reached an understanding with a company to carry the work forward. Since these compounds are peptides, clinical studies on humans may directly begin, without animals studies," he said.
The problem with the currently used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as nimesulide are that these are not specific in terms of their target of action, and affect other enzymes which are useful for the body.
Some of the commonly used anti-pain drugs also affect the lining of intestine causing digestion problems, he added.
The new compounds block the action of an enzyme called Phospholipase A2, Singh said.
Inflammation is caused when level of substances called 'eicosanoids' rise in the body. These substances are produced from phospholipids through enzymes - Phospholipase A2, COX and LOX. Thus, blockage of the action of these enzymes can lead to control of inflammation, he said.
The anti-inflammation drugs target either or more of these enzymes. Besides, there are some naturally occurring compounds also which block these enzymes.
The new compounds were developed after the mode of action of currently used drugs and the naturally occurring compounds was properly studied, he said.
India had great potential in the area of drug development, Singh said, stressing upon the need to give more attention on drug development."
