Cyclooxygenase (COX) wani enzyme ne wanda ke da alhakin samar da prostaglandins daga arachidonic acid a cikin jiki. Akwai isoforms guda biyu na enzyme: COX-1 da COX-2. COX-1 an bayyana shi cikin ƙima a cikin kyallen takarda da yawa kuma yana da hannu cikin kiyaye ayyukan ilimin lissafi na al'ada. COX-2, a gefe guda, an jawo shi don mayar da martani ga masu tayar da hankali kuma yana da alhakin samar da prostaglandins wanda ke magance ciwo, zazzabi, da kumburi. Magungunan anti-inflammatory marasa steroidal (NSAIDs) suna aiki ta hanyar hana ayyukan COX-1 da COX-2, don haka rage samar da prostaglandins da kuma kawar da ciwo da kumburi.