Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid)

Now that we understand the basics regarding NSAIDs, let's dive into a few specific drugs from this class. First up, aspirin. This drug has been around for centuries, but now with a modern understanding of chemistry and biochemistry, we are able to understand its precise structure and mechanism of action. Aspirin is unique among NSAIDs because it covalently alters a serine residue in the active site of cyclooxygenase enzymes, thereby rendering the enzyme permanently incapable of producing prostaglandins. This is what leads to aspirin's anti-inflammatory effects. Let's get a closer look at this activity now.

Script by Chris Hofmann

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[glennpearson]

I learned more about aspirin in the last 7 minutes than I did in the 53 years prior to that. Thanks again, Professor Dave. I'm really enjoying this pharma-history series.

[davew]

Who needs aspirin for headache relief, when you have Professor Dave Explains videos to calm life down?

[jamesnelson]

My first synthesis at university was making aspirin! 👍👍👍

[Dr_V]

Wow, this video is so detailed and accurate that first year med students could actually use it as study material, good job prof.
Not much to add beyond the fact that Aspirin's analgesic effect is rather mild compared to other NSAIDs and we've got better (safer) options for anti-inflammatory treatment in most cases, so modern use focuses mainly on the anti-platelet (cardio) treatment, antipyretic or anti-inflammatory prescriptions becoming less common and more situational.

[jbirdmax]

An amazing achievement in modern medicine. I really wish I could enjoy the benefits of aspirin and NSAIDs like Advil or Motrin. Unfortunately some people myself included, are allergic to them all. I’ve heard of people who are allergic to Aspirin but not other NSAIDs though. I’m stuck with few options but that’s okay because Acetaminophen is another fantastic discovery.
Love your amazing videos Mr. Dave

[dailydoseofmedicinee]

In some cases, taking aspirin on a regular basis can lead to chronic salicylate toxicity. This can happen if you have problems with your kidneys and liver, which are responsible for filtering aspirin👍

[CM-ngef]

Beautiful graphics with the enzymes! Really helpfull, nice to see you've increased your budget!

[MisterRorschach]

The first lab I did in organic chemistry was making aspirin. I had a headache the day it was finished drying and we were checking yield. Prof told me not to, but I just had to. For science.

[ojayojay]

You have an awesome channel! Love the fact you have an email for people! True teacher! Thanks for all your knowledge!

[chere]

So, I was having some regular chest discomfort, and one day I was feeling some pain elsewhere. I got fed up and took an aspirin. Just one.
I don't really like taking medication if I can avoid it. It helped with the pain, but also ever since then my chest has felt fine. So~ that's nice. :)

[ZaneDaMagicPufferDragon]

Great 👍 detailed explanation of how and why aspirin does what it does with fevers and swelling and pan!!!

[stormingsharks]

Dang it Dave, now I have a profound interest in taking biochem after I get through O-Chem 2. Way to go, you just single-handedly delayed my academic graduation plan by at least 2 semesters lol ;)

[RTU-mwft]

if u have anough time professor dave could u plzz make a video where u revise entire organic chem from nomenclature basics to biomoleclues, polymers etc. ? ur lectures are amazing as always!

[bencmed]

This video is so fucking good dude. Literally just casually watched it and was well stimulated. Thank uou

[galkali]

hi, thanks.
Actually, in 1853, Charles Frederic Gerhardt, a French chemist, produced acetylsalicylic acid to make the willow bark medication less irritable. his compund was not yet stable and pure enough. When Bayer began to produce it, the used Gerhardt invention and commercialized it. Sadly, Gerhardt died three years after his invention, so it its told, from one of his own confections.

[Thuza]

Thank you for these videos they helping me prepare for my exam🙂

[dogwalker]

Excellent explanation thank you. Will you be mentioning why caffeine makes paracetamol more effective?

[probangogoi]

Sir could you please spare a few minutes to discuss what large hadron collider recently discovered and how related to energy mass

[kagomartin]

can you please explain the biosynthesis of asprin, like with key enzymes

[StormsparkPegasus]

We still haven't found the exact cause of Reye's Syndrome. The only thing that's known for sure is that the symptoms are caused by damage to cellular mitochondria in the liver and brain. It's unknown exactly what role aspirin has in this process. It's unknown if aspirin can actually cause the mitochondrial damage seen...but it is a possibility. And even if it isn't, the actions of aspirin on certain enzymes could exacerbate existing mitochondrial damage.