1. THE ORIGINS OF DRUGS

2. Aspirin is commonly used painkiller. Now made synthetically in a lab, it has a similar chemical structure to salicylic acid extracted from willow bark. Extracts of willow have been used in pain relief for many generations. Even the Greek physician Hippocrates was aware of its properties. Credit: Ian Sane/Flickr, CC BY. Aspirin from willow bark

3. Many drugs originate from fungi. Employees at the pharmaceutical company Sandoz were asked to bring samples back when they went on business trips or holidays. One member of staff collected Tolypocladium inflatum. From this fungus, the drug cyclosporine was created, which is now used to prevent rejections in organ transplants. Credit: North Dakota National Guard/Flickr CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM From fungus to transplant drug

4. Sweet wormwood is a plant that has been used for herbal remedies in China for many years. The active chemical has been identified and turned into drug form known as artemisinin. Artemisinin combination therapies are now the recommended treatment for malaria. Credit: Hugh Sturrock, Wellcome Images, CC BY BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Malaria drug

5. Digoxin is a drug that treats a number of heart conditions most commonly arrhythmic heart problems. It was isolated from the leaves of a species of foxglove plant Digitalis lanata. Digitalis translates to ‘finger-like’ which references the characteristic shape of their flowers. Credit: Frédérique PANASSAC/Flickr, CC BY-NC BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Foxglove extracts treat heart problems

6. You may be surprised that even carparks can contain the source of some drugs. Paracetamol is derived from phenacetin, the active pain-killing chemical in coal tar analgesics. It was discovered in the late 19 th century but was only widely used as a painkiller after World War II. In the past, multiple analgesics have been derived from coal tar but paracetamol is the only one still in use today. Credit: Sam_Catch/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Paracetamol from coal tar

7. Marine snail species produce a wide range of toxins. Toxins have been the source of many drugs. Ziconotide is derived from the cone snail species Conus magus. It is used to treat chronic pain. Credit: Richard Parker/Flickr, CC BY BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Sea snails treat chronic pain

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