Dietary medicine as a gold mine for the discovery of COX-2 inhibitors

Abstract

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors play key roles in a number of inflammation pathological processes, and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors have been developed for anti-inflammatory drugs. In this review paper, the development history of COX-2 inhibitors and the new concepts for the discover of the COX-2 inhibitors from dietary medicine has been summarized. The COX-2 inhibitors from natural sources are including Sinomenium acutum, ginger, garlic, tomato, red chill, and tea have been summarized. In addition, the opportunities, challenges and exploring direction of future research on natural COX-2 inhibitors are also discussed.