Ibuprofen: A review on its synthesis, mechanism of action, pharmacological properties, and environmental impact

Background

Ibuprofen, the third most frequently prescribed over-the-counter drug globally, is used for treatment of inflammation, pain and pyrexia.

Objective

This review discusses its synthesis, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, derivatives, prospect as well as its environmental impact as an emerging contaminant.

Findings

Its anti-inflammatory property stems from its reduction in synthesis of prostaglandins in inflammatory processes through the inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 enzyme. However, adverse effect such as gastrointestinal ulceration, myocardial infarction and renal failure has been associated with the use of this drug especially during prolonged usage. Hence, the need for structural modification of this drug reduce or eliminate its adverse effect and also improved efficacy. Research report indicates derivative of ibuprofen from its structural modification results in novel drugs for relief of pain and inflammation with little or no side effects associated with the parent drug. Research also propose the prodrug Ibu-GLVL as a prospective drug for the treatment and management of Alzheimer disease. Despite the classical uses and prospect of this drug, its adverse environmental impact due to observed toxicity in organisms as well as possible contamination of food chain needs to be properly addressed.

Conclusion

This review emphasizes the need to develop more sophisticated methods for effective removal of emerging contaminant including ibuprofen in WWTP since most traditional WWTP are ineffective in removal of such contaminant. This will reduce and may eliminate the adverse environmental effect posed by this emerging contaminant due its wide usage across the globe.