Introduction of β-d-mannuronic acid (M2000) as a novel NSAID with immunosuppressive property based on COX-1/COX-2 activity and gene expression.

Background: The NSAIDs which inhibit the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes are among medications widely used to treat pain and inflammation. These drugs cause digestive complications resulting in inhibition of the COX-1 enzyme, while the inhibition of the COX-2 enzyme has therapeutic effects. Therefore research focuses on the production of medications that specifically inhibit the COX-2 enzyme. This study aimed to study the effects of β-d-mannuronic (M2000) acid on the gene expression and activity of COX-1/COX-2 enzymes in order to introduce a novel NSAID for treating inflammatory diseases.

Methods: The mRNA expression levels of COXs were analyzed with qRT-PCR. Prostaglandin E (PGE) concentration in culture media was determined using ELISA method.

Results: Our results indicated that the M2000 at low and high dose could significantly reduce the gene expression level of COX-2 compared to the LPS group (p<0.0001), but no significant reduction was observed in the gene expression level of COX-1 compared to the LPS group. Moreover, it was noticed that this drug strongly and significantly reduced the activity of COX-1/COX-2 enzymes at the three concentrations of 5, 50 and 500 mMol/ml compared to the LPS and arachidonic acid groups (p<0.0001).

Conclusions: This study showed that drug M2000 as a novel NSAID with immunosuppressive property is able strongly to inhibit the activity of COX-1/COX-2 enzymes, with suppressing the gene expression of COX-2 specifically. Therefore, based on gene expression findings this drug might be categorized and introduced as a novel NSAID with selective COX-2 inhibitory effect.