How Limbrel Works
Posted 6/19/07
Limbrel inhibits both COX and 5-LOX enzymes, which are involved in the pain and inflammation of OA. These enzymes break down a substance in the body called arachidonic acid into pain-causing chemicals.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) also stop the action of both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, but they can cause ulcers and stomach bleeding. That’s because COX-1 enzymes help protect the stomach; shutting COX-1 enzymes down funnels activity toward another enzyme – the 5-LOX pathway, which then produces more stomach-damaging and pain-causing chemicals.
COX-2 inhibitors were designed to avoid this problem by only stopping the Cox-2 enzymes, thus sparing the stomach. But they have been associated with an increase in cardiovascular problems; all but one has been taken off the market, and the FDA just refused to approve another COX-2 inhibitor. LINK TO COX-2 STORY.
Limbrel’s dual approach targets both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, just as NSAIDs do, but it also stops 5-LOX cold. “Limbrel doesn’t target just one enzyme,” says Bruce P. Bennett, PhD, director of medical education and scientific affairs for Scotsdale, Ariz.-based Primus Pharmaceuticals, marketer of Limbrel. Because of that, it appears to avoid the side effects that can accompany NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors.
