Introduction:-“Aspirin has been used for many years; it is well-understood, effective, inexpensive and widely available.”

- Dr. Jeffrey BergerIn the last 30 years medicines prescribed by doctors have changed beyond all recognition. Our

better knowledge of the nature of diseases and their management has led to the replacement of

many old remedies by new ones specifically designed for each illness.

Everyone has known for years that aspirin is a fast and reliable painkiller that also reduces

inflammation and cools fevers. More recently it has become just as well known as a help to

people with heart complaints such as angina, coronary thrombosis and after coronary bypass

surgery. It is becoming better known, too, in prevention of stroke. Among other diseases in

which active research about aspirin is showing great promise - and in which it is now being

increasingly used - are toxemia of pregnancy, diabetes, bowel cancer and dementia.

How such an old drug can turn out to be so useful in so many crucial diseases makes a fascinating story. Astonishing advances in medical care need not depend entirely on the invention and introduction of new medicine!

Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, is a salicylate drug, often

used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, as and

antipyretic to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication.

Aspirin was first isolated by Felix Hoffmann, a chemist with the

German company Bayer in 1897.

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Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) decomposes rapidly in solutions of ammonium acetate or of the

acetates, carbonates, citrates or hydroxides of the alkali metals. ASA is stable in dry air, but

gradually hydrolyses in contact with moisture to acetic and salicylic acids. In solution with

alkalis, the hydrolysis proceeds rapidly and the clear solutions formed may consist entirely of

acetate and salicylate.

Aspirin is readily broken down in the body to salicylic acid, which

itself has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic effects. In

2012, salicylic acid was found to activate AMP-activated protein

kinase, and this has been suggested as a possible explanation for

some of the effects of both salicylic acid and aspirin. The acetyl

portion of the aspirin molecule is not without its own targets.

Acetylation of cellular proteins is a well-established phenomenon

in the regulation of protein function at the posttranslational level.

Recent studies have reported aspirin is able to acetylate several other targets in addition to COX

isoenzyme .These acetylation reactions may explain many hitherto unexplained effects of

aspirin.

Aspirin also has an antiplatelet effect by inhibiting the production of thromboxane, which under

normal circumstances binds platelet molecules together to create a patch over damaged walls of

blood vessels. Because the platelet patch can become too large and also block blood flow, locally

and downstream, aspirin is also used long-term, at low doses, to help prevent heart attacks,

strokes, and blood clot formation in people at high risk of developing blood clots. It has also

been established that low doses of aspirin may be given immediately after a heart attack to

reduce the risk of another heart attack or of the death of cardiac tissue. Aspirin may be effective

at preventing certain types of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer.

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