Naproxen is a widely used Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) and is notable for its analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties. It shows its pharmacological effect by inhibiting Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes and suppressing prostaglandin synthesis. This mechanism plays an important role in reducing inflammation and controlling pain. The pharmacokinetic properties, bioavailability and side effect profile of naproxen are the determining factors in the selection of synthesis methods. In recent years, factors such as environmental sustainability and stereoselectivity have become increasingly important in the synthesis of S-naproxen, and enzymatic synthesis methods have gained prominence. Enzymatic processes offer high stereoselectivity, providing the advantage of producing S-naproxen in the preferred enantiomer form. Moreover, the use of biocatalysts reduces energy consumption by making the reaction conditions milder and avoiding the use of toxic reagents for an environmentally friendly production process. The review focuses on the chemical structure, pharmacological effects, biotransformation mechanisms, and enantiomeric properties of naproxen. The review also includes current formulation approaches to address solubility and bioavailability issues of naproxen. This review contributes to the understanding of current strategies to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of naproxen and highlights potential areas for future research.
Saklan et al. (Tue,) studied this question.