A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF NSAIDS AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PAIN AND INFLAMMATION

Pain and inflammation represent significant healthcare challenges worldwide, affecting millions of individuals across diverse populations. This comprehensive review examines the comparative efficacy, safety profiles, and therapeutic potential of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs and traditional medicine systems in managing pain and inflammatory conditions. Through systematic analysis of clinical trials, pharmacological studies, and therapeutic outcomes, this review evaluates the mechanisms of action, clinical applications, and adverse effects of both approaches. NSAIDs, including non-selective COX inhibitors and selective COX 2 inhibitors, demonstrate well- established anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties through cyclooxygenase enzyme inhibition and prostaglandin suppression. However, their use is associated with significant gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal complications, particularly with long-term administration. Traditional medicine systems, encompassing Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and herbal therapies, offer alternative approaches through natural compounds such as curcumin, boswellic acids, and gingerols. Clinical evidence suggests that certain traditional medicines, particularly turmeric and Boswellia serrata extracts, demonstrate comparable efficacy to NSAIDs in reducing pain and inflammation with superior safety profiles. Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials indicate that curcumin exhibits anti-inflammatory effects similar to NSAIDs but with significantly fewer adverse events. The integration of traditional and conventional medicine approaches presents promising opportunities for personalized pain management strategies. Future research directions include the development of novel delivery systems, pharmacogenomic applications, and standardized traditional medicine formulations. This review concludes that while NSAIDs remain essential in acute inflammatory conditions, traditional medicine offers valuable complementary and alternative therapeutic options, particularly for chronic pain management where long-term safety considerations are paramount.