The latest research on a plant-based anti-inflammatory and pain reliever shows that it causes none of the gastrointestinal irritation commonly experienced with aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, reports its manufacturer.
Around 7,500 people in the US die each year from bleeding caused by both prescription and over-the-counter NSAIDs, according to Dr Jason Theodosakis, assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.
"In addition to the problems with bleeding, thousands of NSAID users die from kidney and liver damage, high blood pressure, and the medication interactions with other drugs, among other causes. A conservative estimate for overall deaths directly attributable to NSAIDs in the US in 1998 was 16,500 people. We are in need of safe and effective alternatives to NSAIDs and Nexrutine is the most exciting natural alternative to NSAIDs currently being studied," added Dr Theodosakis.
Nexrutine, made by Next Pharmaceuticals, contains a patent-pending plant extract from the bark of Phellodendron trees that grow in Asia.
In a two-week human study evaluating the efficacy of Nexrutine to ease soreness in joints and muscles, 72 per cent of the (53) participants said Nexrutine was effective and 86 per cent of the participants said that Nexrutine was gentle on the stomach, according to Next.
Nexrutine is currently under investigation in a placebo-controlled clinical trial to further establish its efficacy. Toxicity testing by Next pharmaceuticals suggests that the supplement is also safe when used as directed.
Bob Garrison, president and CEO of Next Pharmaceuticals, said the product could "play a positive role in cutting health care costs and improving the quality of life".
Nexrutine shows 95 per cent COX-2 enzyme inhibition in human cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) assays with less than 10 per cent COX-1 inhibition, added the company. Significant inhibition of the COX-1 enzyme leads to gastrointestinal ulcers. Selectively inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme blocks the formation of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins that cause the pain and inflammation responses.