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ibuprofen + arginine (Spedifen / Zafen / Espedifen)

✓ Approved

Zambon · PTGS1 · Small Molecule

What is ibuprofen + arginine?

ibuprofen + arginine is a small molecule developed by Zambon. It is approved for therapeutic indications via oral (po).

Drug Profile

Brand NamesSpedifen, Zafen, Espedifen
CompanyZambon
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetPTGS1, PTGS2
RouteOral (PO)
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Zambon

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

ibuprofen + arginine acts on 2 molecular targets:

PTGS1prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 (COX3, PCOX1)
PTGS2prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (GRIPGHS, hCox-2)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

ibuprofen + arginine is developed for 2 unique indications across 2 therapeutic areas.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Gastrointestinal disordersAbdominal pain✓ Approved
Hepatobiliary disordersHepatitis✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedOdontology2026-09-20

Synergistic effects of fish scale-derived nanohydroxyapatite and arginine on enamel surface recovery: a multi-modal in vitro analysis.

Thomas Nebu George NG, Oommen Vimal Thomas VT, Xavier Arun Mamachan AM, Das Revu R et al.

Dental caries arises from an imbalance between demineralization and remineralization of dental hard tissues, leading to progressive mineral loss and early lesion formation. Fluoride enhances remineralization but mainly affects the enamel surface. Nanohydroxyapatite (n-HA), structurally similar to enamel apatite, may promote mineral deposition, while arginine increases local pH and supports remineralization. This in vitro study evaluated the combined remineralization potential of sustainably sourced, fish scale-derived n-HA and arginine, used alongside fluoride toothpaste, for early enamel lesions using a multimodal analytical approach. Forty human premolars were demineralized for 96 h to produce artificial lesions and randomly allocated into five groups (n = 8): (1) fluoride toothpaste, (2) 10% n-HA, (3) 10% n-HA + 10% arginine, (4) fluoride toothpaste + 10% n-HA + 10% arginine, and (5) demineralized control. Specimens underwent pH cycling with respective remineralizing slurries for 28 days. Surface changes were evaluated using surface microhardness, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Raman microscopy. The fluoride + n-HA + arginine group showed the greatest increase in microhardness (Vickers Hardness Number [VHN] 367.48 ± 26.95 kgf/mm²), significantly higher than the demineralized control (191.24 ± 13.86; p < 0.001). The n-HA + arginine group also showed a substantial increase in microhardness (319.10 ± 28.75 kgf/mm²). SEM and AFM analyses revealed greater surface smoothing and pore reduction in the combination group compared with fluoride alone, suggesting enhanced surface recovery and mineral deposition. Fish scale-derived n-HA combined with arginine enhances the in vitro remineralization potential of fluoride toothpaste and may represent a promising strategy for managing early enamel lesions.

PMID 42763368
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PubMedOdontology2026-09-20

Association of genetic polymorphisms with response to preoperative NSAIDs in endodontic postoperative pain: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Kahramanlar M M, Kahraman Ç Y ÇY, Öztürk S S, Karataş Ertuğrul E

To evaluate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and UGT2B7 genes on postoperative pain intensity and analgesic response in patients receiving preoperative ibuprofen or diclofenac before endodontic treatment. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial included 191 patients who required endodontic treatment. Patients were randomized to receive ibuprofen 600 mg (n = 61), diclofenac 100 mg (n = 65), or placebo (n = 65). The medications were administered preoperatively, 30 min before the endodontic treatment. Postoperative pain intensity together with analgesic consumption as the primary clinical outcomes was assessed using a visual analog scale at 6, 12, and 24 h and on days 2, 3, 5, and 7 postoperatively and analgesic consumption was recorded during the follow-up period. Genetic polymorphisms of CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and UGT2B7 were analyzed in all participants. The relationship between genotypes and postoperative pain scores and analgesic response was statistically evaluated. There were no statistically significant differences among the drug groups in terms of postoperative pain levels. However, in the diclofenac group, the CYP2C8 rs10509681 polymorphism was associated with significantly higher postoperative pain scores at 24 h and on day 2. These findings provide preliminary evidence that genetic variation in CYP2C8 may influence the analgesic response to diclofenac following endodontic treatment. However, these exploratory findings require confirmation in larger, independent studies before their clinical relevance can be established.

PMID 42763370
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PubMedCase reports in urology2026-09-20

Cystinuria Diagnosed at Age 67 Following a 49-Year Diagnostic Delay: A Reminder of Indolent Cystinuria in Adult Urolithiasis-A Case Report.

Jeffery Sarah S, Tyson Matthew M, McAuley Laura L, Harty John J

Cystinuria is a genetic disorder resulting from mutations in the SLC3A1 and SLC7A9 genes, which impair the reabsorption of cystine, ornithine, lysine and arginine and lead to increased urinary excretion of cystine. Elevated urinary cystine concentration promotes precipitation and subsequent stone formation, manifesting as recurrent urolithiasis. Cystinuria is the most common genetic condition that results in urolithiasis and is typically diagnosed in adolescence. In this case report, we present a male patient diagnosed with cystinuria at the age of 67. The patient presented with acute left flank pain, and noncontrast CT imaging of the urinary tract identified left renal calculi and multiple proximal ureteric stones, accompanied by hydronephrosis. Ureteroscopy revealed dense calculi resistant to laser fragmentation, and stone analysis confirmed a 100% cystine composition. The patient reported a previous stone event at age 18 with spontaneous passage but had remained stone-free for nearly 50 years and had no prior diagnosis of cystinuria. This case demonstrates that cystinuria, although typically diagnosed in childhood or adolescence, can be diagnosed in older adults with recurrent or resistant urolithiasis. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for cystinuria in adult patients with unexplained or refractory stone disease, and stone analysis remains essential for accurate diagnosis. Optimal management centres on preventing recurrent stone formation through aggressive fluid intake, dietary modifications and medical alkalinisation of urine. Multidisciplinary follow-up is important to reduce the risk of renal impairment and potential later need for nephrectomy.

PMID 42763550
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PubMedJournal of inflammation research2026-09-20

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Ameliorates Ulcerative Colitis in Association with Modulation of cGAS-STING Signaling and M1-Like/M2-Like Macrophage Markers.

Long Dan D, Chen Siqing S, Yang Fan F, Tang Xudong X et al.

Originating from traditional acupuncture, acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) represents an integrated stimulatory therapy effective for numerous disorders. This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of ACE against 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats, focusing on cGAS-STING signaling and macrophage-associated inflammatory responses. Rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8) in Experiment 1 (control, model, SASP, and ACE) and Experiment 2 (control, model, ACE, and ACE + 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid [DMXAA]). Integrative untargeted metabolomics and RNA sequencing were employed to explore underlying mechanisms. The expression of M1-like/M2-like macrophage markers, cGAS-STING pathway components, and epithelial barrier proteins was investigated using RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Macrophage marker profiles were characterized by flow cytometry, and cytokine secretion was measured by ELISA. ACE significantly ameliorated the DAI, colon shortening, and histological scores in UC rats. Metabolomics and RNA sequencing revealed that ACE regulated arginine metabolism and the cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway. ACE treatment was associated with decreased expression of M1-like macrophage markers and increased expression of M2-like macrophage markers, accompanied by altered inflammatory cytokine profiles in colonic tissues. Furthermore, ACE markedly suppressed the cGAS-STING pathway, as evidenced by decreased mRNA expression and protein phosphorylation of downstream molecules. Administration of the STING agonist DMXAA partially reversed ACE-associated changes in macrophage marker expression and intestinal mucosal integrity. ACE ameliorated TNBS-induced colitis, which was associated with reduced activation of cGAS-STING signaling and altered macrophage-associated inflammatory marker expression. This study provides a potential adjunctive therapeutic strategy for UC.

PMID 42763713
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PubMedJournal of pharmaceutical sciences2026-09-19

Effects of anion excipients on the viscosity of high-concentration mAb solution.

Maruyama Souhei S, Shibuya Risa R, Torisu Tetsuo T, Uchiyama Susumu S

High protein concentrations often lead to high viscosity, necessitating reduced solution viscosity. We investigated the effects of eight anionic excipients commonly used in biopharmaceutical formulations on the solution viscosity of high-concentration monoclonal antibodies using three antibodies with different isoelectric points. The three antibodies exhibited attractive or repulsive protein-protein interaction tendencies in histidine buffer without anionic excipients. The effect of adding anionic excipients on solution viscosity differed by interaction tendencies. Preferential interaction coefficients revealed differences in the extent of interaction between individual anionic excipients and antibodies. Comparison with chloride, positioned in the middle of the Hofmeister series, suggested that the observed viscosity behavior could only be partially explained by the previously reported Hofmeister anion effects on solution viscosity. We examined the effects of combining L-arginine with each anionic excipient as a counter anion. Formulations containing L-arginine and other anionic excipients contributed more strongly to reducing solution viscosity than L-arginine hydrochloride. The effects of anionic excipients on viscosity can be understood in terms of protein-protein interactions of an antibody in the presence of anionic excipients; whether anionic excipients strengthen or weaken the intrinsic protein-protein interactions is important, underscoring the key indicator for selecting the optimal anionic excipients when designing high-concentration formulations with lower viscosities.

PMID 42762895
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PubMedJournal of molecular evolution2026-09-19

Genomic Codon Usage is Structurally Consistent with First-Classness Across the Tree of Life.

Huntington Moore Douglas J DJ

Genome-scale codon usage data from 70,950 species spanning the tree of life allow a test of whether the standard genetic code's 21-family degeneracy partition is structurally consistent with the First-Classness (FC) framework, which derives that partition from conformal completion constraints on a four-element dispositional algebra without biological input. We report three findings. First, within-family codon usage uniformity, measured by coefficient of variation, follows a specific ordering across family sizes-2-fold < 4-fold < Ser 6-fold < 3-fold < Leu/Arg 6-fold-that is consistent with the architectural constraints of the FC-derived partition rather than being a simple monotonic function of family size. Second, the three split six-fold families (serine, leucine, arginine) exhibit four-codon sub-block dominance-pooled two-to-four ratios of 0.30--0.56-in archaea, bacteria and eukarya alike, though the strength of the dominance, most markedly for arginine, varies among the domains. Third, a family-balanced global FC ratio, tested against a null model preserving family-size architecture while randomising codon assignment, shows no separable statistical signal ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]); the possible interpretations, including limited sensitivity of the statistic at this level of aggregation and non-separability of the partition from the frequencies it governs, are discussed.

PMID 42762259
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