Page 84 - Encyclopedia of Chemical Compounds 3 Vols

ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID

Interesting Facts

• The name aspirin comes acetylsalicylic acid. When
from a very old name for Germany was defeated in
salicylic acid, spiraeic acid. World War I (1914–1918),
Allied forces seized the
• After Hofmann’s discov-
Bayer company’s property
ery, Bayer received a
and possessions and made
registered trademark for
the name available to all
the name aspirin, meaning
drug manufacturers.
that no other company
could use the name for

For many years the way aspirin works in the body was not
understood. Scientists now know that the compound’s helpful
effects come from its action on prostaglandins. Prostaglandins
are hormone-like substances released by cells that are injured.
They cause the body to release other substances that sensitize
nerve endings to pain and start the healing process. Aspirin
blocks prostaglandin production, thus relieving the sensation
of pain and the inflammation that are the body’s response to
injury. Aspirin reduces fever by acting on the region of the
brain that regulates body temperature and heart rate. Prosta-
glandins block the body’s natural system for producing heat
so that by blocking the release of prostaglandins, aspirin
allows the regulation of body temperature to continue as
usual. Aspirin’s protection against heart attack and stroke
occur because of its effect on one special type of prostaglan-
din, known as thromboxane A2. Thromboxane A2 promotes
the accumulation of cells that takes place when a blood clot
forms. By blocking or slowing down the production of throm-
boxane A2, aspirin prevents the formation of blood clots and,
hence, the probability of heart attack and stroke.

HOW IT IS MADE
The modern method for making aspirin was developed in
1897 by the German chemist Felix Hoffman (1868–1946), an
employee of the German chemical manufacturer Bayer AG
Chemical Works. In this procedure, phenol (C 6 H 5 OH) is treated
with sodium hydroxideand carbon dioxidetomakesalicylic

CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS 33