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piroxicam suppositories (Riacen)

✓ Approved

Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. · PTGS1 · Small Molecule

What is piroxicam suppositories?

piroxicam suppositories is a small molecule developed by Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A.. It is approved for therapeutic indications via rectal.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesRiacen
CompanyChiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A.
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetPTGS1, PTGS2
RouteRectal
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A.

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

piroxicam suppositories 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

piroxicam suppositories is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Hepatobiliary disordersHepatitis✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedJournal of ethnopharmacology2026-10-13

Artemisia vulgaris and sabinene ameliorate gastric ulceration and its recurrence through modulation of acid secretion, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines: an in vivo and in silico study.

Borba Ana Laura Tomaselli ALT, Freschi Khetlyn K, Miorando Daniela D, Maccagnan Juliana Cristina JC et al.

Artemisia vulgaris L., popularly known as mugwort, is traditionally used to treat gastric disturbances, yet the mechanistic basis of its antiulcer effects is largely unexplored. The study evaluated the gastroprotective, healing, and anti-recurrence effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of A. vulgaris (HEAv) and its constituent sabinene, and their underlying pharmacological mechanisms. Phytochemical analysis of HEAv used LC-MS, LC-MS/MS, and LC-ESI-IT-MSn. Gastroprotective activity of HEAv (3, 10, or 30 mg/kg) and sabinene (3 mg/kg) was assessed in ethanol- and piroxicam-induced ulcers, beyond pyloric ligation. Healing and recurrence were assessed via acetic acid-induced and IL-1β-triggered ulcers, the latter monitored by ultrasonography. Oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, histology, network pharmacology, and molecular docking/dynamics were evaluated, along with acute toxicity in mice. Chemical analysis identified 36 compounds in HEAv, predominantly phenolics and flavonoids. HEAv and sabinene showed gastroprotective effects, corroborated by mucosal protection and modulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters. In addition, HEAv increased gastric pH, compared to omeprazole. Moreover, HEAv and sabinene reduced ulceration in both the healing and recurrence models, accompanied by increased GSH and CAT activity, and reduced LPO, MPO, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-17A). No acute toxicity was observed. Network pharmacology identified inflammatory signaling as a key target of HEAv constituents, and docking and dynamic molecular assays confirmed favorable, stable interactions between phenolic compounds and sabinene with H+/K+-ATPase and IKKβ, supported by favorable MM-PBSA/MM-GBSA binding energies. HEAv and sabinene exert gastroprotective and healing effects by modulating acid secretion, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines, as suggested by in silico analyses. Nonetheless, further studies are warranted to validate the predicted molecular targets and to elucidate additional pharmacological pathways.

PMID 42869396
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PubMedCancer biology & therapy2026-10-08

Inhibition of WNT signaling sensitizes CRC cells to anti-tumor effects of retinoids: basis for new drug combinations in oncology.

Hunsu Victoria O VO, Facey Caroline O B COB, Opdenaker Lynn M LM, Boman Bruce M BM

Our Goal is to sensitize human colorectal cancer (CRC) to the differentiation-inducing effects of retinoic acid (RA) agents by suppressing WNT signaling. Previously, we reported that the WNT and RA pathways are functionally linked, and in CRC, APC mutation generates a WNT:RA imbalance leading to incomplete differentiation and stem cell (SC) overpopulation. Hypothesis: Therapeutically inhibiting WNT signaling enhances the ability of retinoid agents to induce growth suppression and differentiation. We tested drug combinations of: (1) anti-WNT agents (Sulindac & Piroxicam) that produce anti-tumor activity in humans and animals harboring germline APC mutations, with (2) RA agents (All-trans-RA, 9-cis RA) and RA metabolism blocking agent (CYP26A1 inhibitors Liarozole and Talarozole), which inhibit proliferation and induce differentiation of CRC cell lines. Results: The combined effect of anti-WNT agents and RA drugs shows additive or synergistic responses in CRC cell lines compared to single agents. Drug combinations decrease the proportion of aldehyde dehydrogenase-positive SCs and increase neuroendocrine cell differentiation in CRC cells that show a synergistic response to treatment. NanoString profiling shows that therapeutically decreasing WNT signaling in CRC cells significantly changes the effect of RA signaling on gene expression. Treating human CRC organoid cultures and PDX mouse models with WNT:RA-based drug combinations led to greater anti-tumor activity as compared to individual agents. Conclusion: Inhibiting WNT signaling effectively sensitizes CRC cells to the anti-tumor effects of retinoids. These findings have important clinical significance for designing new drug combinations against CRC.

PMID 42845214
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PubMedJBRA assisted reproduction2026-09-28

Effects of Hydroxychloroquine on Frozen Embryo Transfer Outcomes in Patients with Repeated Implantation Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Afiat Malihe M, Khadem Nayereh N, Amirian Malihe M, Khales Sahar Ardalan SA et al.

Repeated implantation failure (RIF) poses significant challenges in assisted reproductive technology. This study investigated the effects of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-inflammatory medication, on frozen embryo transfer outcomes in patients with RIF. In this randomized, single blind study, 70 women with a history of RIF were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The control group received 4 mg estradiol valerate tablets starting on the third day of the menstrual cycle for four days, followed by 6 mg daily from the seventh day until the endometrial thickness reached at least 8 mm. The intervention group received 200 mg hydroxychloroquine tablets every 12 hours from the third day of the menstrual cycle, in addition to estradiol valerate. Following endometrial preparation, patients received a daily intramuscular injection of 50 mg progesterone and 400 mg of vaginal progesterone suppositories twice daily, then frozen embryo transfer was performed. The co-primary outcomes were chemical pregnancy and clinical pregnancy rates. Secondary outcomes included multiple pregnancy, miscarriage, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates. The intervention group exhibited higher rates of chemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy and live birth compared to the control group; however, these differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Furthermore, the rate of singleton pregnancies in the intervention group was significantly higher (p=0.04). Although hydroxychloroquine may positively affect pregnancy outcomes, the statistical evidence in this study is not strong enough to draw definitive conclusions. Future adequately powered studies with larger cohorts are essential to confirm these clinical trends and determine its true clinical efficacy.

PMID 42804680
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PubMedBMC chemistry2026-09-27

Holistically benchmarked optimization-assisted green spectrophotometric-chemometric approach for simultaneous determination of piroxicam and venlafaxine in pharmaceutical formulations and spiked human plasma.

Alsfouk Bshra A BA, Al-Khatee Lateefa A LA, Al Kamaly Omkulthom O, Tantawy Mahmoud A MA et al.

The recent clinical introduction of the piroxicam (PIR) and venlafaxine hydrochloride (VEN) combination has highlighted the need for analytical methodologies capable of simultaneously quantifying both drugs while minimizing the environmental burden of routine pharmaceutical analysis. To date, only a chromatographic method has been reported for this purpose, which is associated with relatively high organic solvent consumption, greater instrumental complexity, and increased energy requirements. A green UV spectrophotometric platform integrated with chemometric modeling was therefore established for the concurrent determination of PIR and VEN in pharmaceutical formulations and as a proof-of-concept application to spiked human plasma. Spectral measurements were performed using a water-ethanol (1:1, v/v) solvent system, whereas methanol was employed solely for plasma protein precipitation. Experimental design efficiency was enhanced by combining Brereton's multilevel calibration design with a Maximin Distance Design (MMD) for validation sample selection, enabling representative calibration and validation datasets to be generated with a reduced number of experimental mixtures. Severe spectral overlap between the two analytes was effectively resolved using six well-established chemometric approaches: CLS, PCR, PLS, GA-PLS, FA-PLS, and MCR-ALS. Among the investigated models, MCR-ALS showed the best overall numerical performance, achieving correlation coefficients of up to 0.9998 for pharmaceutical formulations and 0.9996 for spiked human plasma. The corresponding limits of detection were 0.125 and 0.029 µg mL⁻¹ for VEN and PIR, respectively, in pharmaceutical formulations, and 0.245 and 0.058 µg mL⁻¹ in spiked human plasma. Across the investigated concentration ranges, the proposed method also exhibited satisfactory accuracy and precision. The sustainability performance of the analytical platform was evaluated using multiple complementary metrics, with the pharmaceutical assay compared with the previously reported chromatographic procedure according to the evaluated criteria. The proposed pharmaceutical spectrophotometric assay showed a more favorable sustainability profile according to the evaluated criteria, including environmental and practical applicability dimensions. The application to spiked human plasma provided a proof-of-concept assessment of matrix applicability. Nevertheless, additional investigations involving incurred clinical specimens and full bioanalytical validation are required before the methodology can be considered suitable for routine clinical practice or pharmacokinetic studies.

PMID 42800863
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PubMedMedicine2026-09-26

A case report on the management of sepsis complicated by eroded mixed hemorrhoids following breast cancer chemotherapy.

Ye Zi Z, Xie Hongmei H, Lan Xiaoqian X, Wang Qiuzhou Q et al.

Sepsis is a life-threatening complication in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, particularly when compounded by anorectal conditions. The management of eroded mixed hemorrhoids in the setting of severe chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and septicemia presents a clinical dilemma, as standard surgical interventions carry prohibitive risks. This case report details a successful conservative, multimodal approach to this rare and critical scenario. A 51-year-old female with stage IIIA human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer developed a high fever (40.1°C) 1 week after her first cycle of neoadjuvant TCHP (docetaxel, carboplatin, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab) chemotherapy. She presented with severe bone marrow suppression and constipation, which led to the manual reduction of prolapsed hemorrhoids, resulting in an eroded, inflamed perianal mass. The patient was diagnosed with septicemia (confirmed by Escherichia coli bacteremia), chemotherapy-induced grade IV bone marrow suppression (white blood cell count 0.17 × 109/L, platelet count 6 × 109/L), and mixed hemorrhoids with erosion and secondary perianal infection. Given the high risk of surgery due to critical thrombocytopenia and neutropenia, a conservative strategy was implemented. This included broad-spectrum systemic antibiotics (meropenem, vancomycin, amikacin, amphotericin B sequentially), aggressive hematologic support (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, blood transfusions), and meticulous multimodal local wound care. The local regimen comprised saline cleansing, infrared therapy, recombinant human epidermal growth factor gel, zinc oxide ointment, compound borneol ester suppositories, and the topical application of a self-prepared traditional Chinese medicine, "Liuhe Dan." After 30 days of treatment, the patient became afebrile, and her perianal swelling and inflammation completely resolved. The eroded hemorrhoid healed entirely, allowing for a successful transfer to a lower-level hospital for continued supportive care. This case demonstrates that in severely neutropenic and thrombocytopenic patients, a conservative, integrated approach combining systemic anti-infective therapy with advanced local wound care and traditional Chinese medicine can successfully manage life-threatening sepsis originating from eroded hemorrhoids. It underscores the critical importance of perianal hygiene, prompt management of chemotherapy-induced constipation and bone marrow suppression, and the potential of nonsurgical strategies in high-risk surgical candidates.

PMID 42798126
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PubMedMini reviews in medicinal chemistry2026-09-25

Novel Stimuli-Responsive Gel Systems for Improved Localized Therapy of Cervical Cancer.

SIngh Amit Pratap AP, Kashaw Sushil Kumar SK, Soni Vandana V

Cervical cancer remains a significant global health concern among women. Conventional treatments including surgery, often lead to complications that may compromise future fertility and childbirth outcomes, particularly in younger patients. Owing to its large surface area and rich vascularization, the vaginal route offers promising pathway for localized drug delivery. Nevertheless, the continual turnover of vaginal mucus presents major limitation for traditional formulations such as creams, gels, suppositories, and patches, reducing their retention and overall efficacy. In situ gelling drug delivery systems have emerged promising alternative, offering distinct benefits such as enhanced mucosal penetration, superior bioadhesion, site-specific and sustained drug release, and minimized systemic toxicity. These formulations remain in liquid form at ambient temperature but rapidly transform into gels upon exposure to physiological stimuli, including changes in temperature, pH, or light. By facilitating direct drug delivery to the target site, this route enables lower dosage requirements, minimizes adverse effects, and enhances therapeutic efficiency. This review highlights the application of in-situ gelling systems via the vaginal route for cervical cancer treatment. Moreover, this strategy may complement fertility-preserving surgical interventions by promoting preoperative tumor reduction, thereby decreasing the risk of premature birth and improving reproductive outcomes and quality of life in younger women.

PMID 42786860
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