History of aspirin

History of Aspirin

Aspirin (pronounced: /ˈæsprɪn/), also known as acetylsalicylic acid (pronounced: /əˌsiːtəlˌsælɪˈsɪlɪk ˈæsɪd/), is a widely used medication to relieve pain and reduce fever, and in some cases, to prevent heart disease and stroke. The history of aspirin is a significant part of the broader history of pain relief.

Etymology

The term "aspirin" was derived from the old botanical name for the meadowsweet plant, Spiraea ulmaria, from which the drug's active ingredient was first isolated. The prefix "a-" comes from the acetylation process used to create the compound, and "-spirin" is a contraction of "Spiraea".

Early History

The medicinal properties of the willow tree (Salix) bark, from which aspirin is derived, have been known since the time of Hippocrates (c. 460 – c. 370 BC), who recommended chewing the bark to relieve pain and fever. The active ingredient of willow bark, salicin, was first isolated by the French chemist Henri Leroux in 1829.

Modern Development

The modern form of aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, was first synthesized by the French chemist Charles Frederic Gerhardt in 1853. However, it was not until 1897 that Felix Hoffmann, a chemist at the German company Bayer, rediscovered Gerhardt's formula and found a way to mass-produce the drug. Bayer patented the process and began selling aspirin in 1899.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on History of aspirin
Wikipedia's article - History of aspirin

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History of aspirin