Naproxen methyl ester, a mixture of two isomers R and S, is the precursor of therapeutically important nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen. Naproxen methyl ester can be enantioselectively hydrolyzed by lipases or (S)-enantioselective esterase could catalyze the selective hydrolysis of the (S)-Naproxen methyl ester, giving optically pure (S)-naproxen. In addition, S-naproxen methyl ester is used as a tool for identification and determination of new stereo selective carboxylesterase activities.

Naproxen (naproxen sodium, NAPROSYN®) is a propionic acid derivative related to the arylacetic acid group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is an anti-inflammatory agent with analgesic and antipyretic properties. Both the acid and its sodium salt are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic or musculoskeletal disorders, dysmenorrhea, and acute gout. The mechanism of action of the naproxen (naproxen sodium, NAPROSYN®), like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2).

Naproxen (naproxen sodium, NAPROSYN®) is a propionic acid derivative related to the arylacetic acid group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is an anti-inflammatory agent with analgesic and antipyretic properties. Both the acid and its sodium salt are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic or musculoskeletal disorders, dysmenorrhea, and acute gout. The mechanism of action of the naproxen (naproxen sodium, NAPROSYN®), like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2).