Prostaglandin and Leukotrine Inhibitor with No GI Toxicity

by Sanford H. Roth, MD

Media headlines have recently emphasized new developments in arthritis therapy with special emphasis on COX-II NSAID's for arthritis. Prior nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) have all had the similar experience of blocking both cyclooxygenase-I and cyclooxygenase-II more or less equally.

Cyclooxygenase-I is the good-enzyme that constitutionally produces protective prostaglandins for gastric mucosa, renal function, and normal platelet clotting activity. On the other hand, cyclooxygenase-II is a mitogen-induced enzyme related to inflammation and pain. Thus, ideally, one would want to block the isoenzyme for cyclo-oxygenase-II selectively and spare the good isoenzyme for cyclooxygenase-I.

Thus, in contrast to aspirin and its subsequent traditional NSAID's, the development of COX-II selective NSAID's is promising but has very limited clinical experience in the United States.

However, as is so often the case, what is new is actually relative-so back to the future! Thus for decades we have known that nonacetylated salicylates are prostaglandin sparing. Unfortunately, because of tinnitus and complaints of inefficacy, they have been of limited success. However, from another direction, new information is emerging on a nutraceutical, ZINAXIN, that may have similar properties in arthritis management with safety. (emphasis added)

As you know nutraceuticals, separate from United States regulatory requirements for pharmaceuticals do not have to undergo double-blinded testing and meet basic science requirements to delineate mechanism of action. In this case, however, Zinaxin has been studies by reputable rheumatologists in Europe for both efficacy and safety by completed and ongoing double-blind studies, and is about to complete a major United States multi-center, double-blind clinical research study to further document efficacy as well as safety in arthritis therapy. Another important double-blind study has been completed in Singapore confirming the efficacy and safety of Zinaxin.

In addition, work is now underway and reported on COX-I sparing properties of Zinaxin as well as its effects on leukotrines and interleukins to delineate mechanism of action in terms of today's technology. Today's technology, therefore provides us a chance to go back to the future with another ancient natural substance, ginger, which is the source of refined Zinaxin, to better understand its clinically reported benefits.

Just as bark from the willow tree in centuries past provided us the basis for discovering anti-inflammatory substances (salicylates), so ginger, used over the centuries by the Chinese and other peoples for its soothing properties, has been subjected to chemical extraction for more effective and better tolerated use as an herbal supplement in response to the very real health-consumer search for natural substances to provide alternative remedies for the aches and pains of common arthritis disorders.

Due to advanced carrier technology coming out of Denmark, the powerful prostaglandin, leukotrine inhibitors, hydroxy methoxy phenols, found in a rare species of ginger root, have been captured and preserved thus minimizing decomposition while maximizing cyclooxygenase inhibitory action of the phenol ketones.

Yet we all know that ultimately the success of a therapy depends upon patient population and the appropriate choice and skill with which it is used. Trying Zinaxin on your own patient population and reaching your own conclusion, as so many physicians world wide already have, is strongly suggested.

As an experienced clinical rheumatologist active in pharmaco-therapy for three decades, I have come to welcome the importance of choices as long as they offer a favorable therapeutic ratio. That means that if we can achieve benefits to our patients without harm, nutraceutical or pharmaceutical substances deserve the opportunity to increase the flexibility of our armamentarium in the face of the common suffering of so many from arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders and, whenever possible, to escape the intolerance and toxicities of a more limited choice of therapies.

Zinaxin is available as a non-prescription item from FreeLife International, Milford, Connecticut, 877/206-2225.

*printed with permission

SANFORD H. ROTH, MD

Sanford H. Roth, MD is senior medical rheumatologist, ArthroCare: Arthritis Care and Research, P.C.; Medical Director, Arizona Research and Education; and Medical Director, Senior Health Center Phoenix, Arizona.

Dr. Roth is internationally recognized with hundreds of peer review papers and presentations at major medical meetings in the United States and throughout the world on the subject of pharmacotherapy, arthritis and pain management.

He is an Ohio State University graduate, B.S. and M.D. He went to obtain a certificate in internal medicine and rheumatology from the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine of the Mayo Clinic.

He has practiced rheumatology in Phoenix, Arizona, since 1965 and for the past 25 years has been a liaison to the FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee and chairman of the Antirheumatic Drug Guidelines Group, as well as a consultant to the US Federal Trade Commission, and appointed to the Committee of Revision of the US Pharmacopia, and as an adjunct professor of the Aging and Arthritis Program, Arizona State University.

He is a founder and a past president and continues as secretary General of the International Society for Rheumatic Therapy. He is also a founder and past president of the American Society for Clinical Rheumatology. He serves as a consultant to various major pharmaceutical companies related to arthritis and analgesic drug development.