ABSTRACT
Pharmaceuticals developed from natural and synthetic sources, based on single active ingredients, are usually called new chemical entities (NCEs). Inflammatory diseases are currently treated with steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), most of which belong to the class of NCEs [1,2]. Yearly, more than 80 million prescriptions are written worldwide to treat inflammatory diseases, in addition to the over-the-counter (OTC) sales [3,4]. One in seven Americans is likely to receive an NSAID for a chronic rheumatologic disorder [3,5], often on a daily basis. However, NCE drugs are becoming increasingly unpopular due to the significant negative side effects associated with their continuous use [1,2]. This, coupled with demands of the ever growing world population, calls for the development of novel drugs that are effective and safe for long-term use.
