Kaylee, Rachel, Erin, Hailey, Anna Aspirin Kaylee, Rachel, Erin, Hailey, Anna

What is aspirin? Part of a class of drugs called nsaids - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Mild analgesic and anticoagulant

Origin of aspirin Salicylic acid discovered in 400 bce in willow tree bark– originally used to relieve pain from childbirth Named salicin in Italy in 1823 In 1853, the French found it was an irritant to the gut German scientists found adding an acetyl group to the salicylic acid reduced irritating properties Started clinical trials in 1899- named aspirin by bayer

Timeline of Aspirin’s Origins 1915 – Aspirin available without prescription in the US- bestseller 1823 – Named Salicin in Italy 400 BC – Willow Bark used to relieve pain during childbirth 1853 – Found to be an irritant by French scientists 1995 – Found to protect against bowel cancer 1899 – Started clinical trials of Aspirin 1838 – Found in a meadowsweet flower by Swiss and German researchers 1893 – Germans added acetyl group to salicylic acid to reduce irritant properties 1974 – Found to help prevent heart attacks Timeline of Aspirin’s Origins

How Pain Works in the Body To understand how aspirin works, it is important to understand how pain works in the body Prostaglandins are formed by an enzyme when cells are damaged through thermal, mechanical, or chemical energy (In other words, when someone is injured) Prostaglandins trigger an inflammatory response- swelling, redness Increases body temperature One senses pain when the prostaglandins trigger pain receptors throughout the body and carry that message to the brain

Aspirin has two functions, which are performed simultaneously - To relieve pain and inflammation from thermal, chemical, or physical injury Inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2), an enzyme which forms prostanoids, such as prostaglandins Works as an anticoagulant (blood thinner) Inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 (cox-1), which both forms prostaglandins and activates clotting process in platelets via thromboxane (another prostanoid)

cyclooxygenase & Aspirin – how the two meet It is hypothesized the acetyl group in aspirin is what bonds with the cox-1 and cox-2 Bonds to serine-530 and blocks production of prostaglandins https://www.wiley.com/legacy/college/boye r/0471661791/cutting_edge/aspirin/aspirin.ht m

Mystery surrounding how aspirin works Salicylic acid, from which aspirin’s healing properties are likely derived, has no acetyl group, yet it possessed healing properties Other suggestion is salicylic acid and aspirin block prostaglandin production not by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzyme activity but by inhibiting upstream expression of cyclooxygenase genes Destroy cox genes and keep them from producing more *supported by aspirin being irreversible, unlike other nsaids*

Chemistry behind aspirin – structure Consists of a benzene ring, Carboxylic acid, and ester

Chemistry behind aspirin - synthesis

Chemistry behind aspirin – purification Purification process for aspirin is called recrystallization Dissolved in warm solution, gently cooled Recrystallizes, impurities stay dissolved

Ms. Morgan said this was on the IB exam!!! IR Spectroscopy Salicylic Acid Aspirin Ms. Morgan said this was on the IB exam!!!

salicylic acid & aspirin The acetyl group added to salicylic acid is the difference between the two Both have healing properties, though aspirin is easier on the stomach Salicylic Acid  Aspirin

Production & continuing research 1997-present: aspirin is being used for heart attacks, strokes, pregnancy complications, colon cancer, diabetes, and dementia -which includes Alzheimer’s. In America alone we consume 16,000 tons of tablets a year. To produce the tablets that we take now, they add water and cornstarch to the acetylsalicylic acid to serve as the bonding agent add a lubricant to keep it from sticking to the machinery

Side effects - negative Reye’s syndrome in children Aspirin allergy Irritation or ulceration of stomach, which may lead to bleeding Excessive bleeding

Side effects - positive May help prevent certain cancers, such as bowel cancer May delay onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s Treats preeclampsia in pregnant women