Pharmacology I.
Discovery, Metabolism, and Industrial
Applications of

Any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function.
Drugs are divided into two different groups:
1. Recreational Drugs are chemical substances that affect the central nervous system , such as opioids or hallucinogens . They may be used for perceived beneficial effects on perception , consciousness , personality , and behavior . Some drugs can cause addiction and/or habituation
2. Pharmaceutical Drugs are also referred to as
medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis , cure , treatment , or prevention of disease .

In this unit the word ‘ drug ’ always refers to pharmaceutical drugs
The drug ASPIRIN is the brand name for the substance Acetyl Salicylic Acid - ASA

• Belongs to chemical substance class of organic acids
• Characterized by one or more carboxyl
gourps: -COOH
• How does a carboxyl
Group act as an acids?

Salicylates: chemical compound group found in willow plants (salix alba)
• Willow extracts have been used in all cultures through the ages for treatment of fever and pain

Medical Effects of ASA’s
• Analgesic – anti pain
• Antipyretric – anti fever
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-platelet – reduces blood clotting
Pharmacological Substance Class: NSAIDS –
N on S teroidal A ntiI nflammatory D rugs

• Over-the-counter drug group for the treatment of acute/chronic mild to moderate symptoms associated with colds, injuries, inflammation
• ASPIRIN, IBUPROFEN, MOTRIN, ALEVE,
NAPROXEN ….
• Opposite to prescription drugs like
Steroids (PREDNISONE) or Opiates:
(VICADINE, OXYCONTIN)

• 1853 Charles Frédéric Gerhardt publishes the chemical synthesis of Acetyl Salicylic Acid
• 1897 Scientists at the German chemical company
BAYER conduct clinical investigations on ASA
• 1899 BAYER obtains brand, patent and trademark rights for ASA under the name ASPIRIN
• 1918 main drug to combat the ‘Spanish Flue’ pandemic–some deaths are attributed to Aspirin overdosing
• 1919 BAYER lost rights in the WWI reparation in
Versailles
• 1950’s decline of ASPIRIN in the wake of better
NSAIDS: IBUPROFEN

• Natural substance found in the bark of the willow tree
• Analgesic, anti-pyretric, anti-inflammatory but severe gastrointestinal pain, bleeding

ASPIRIN Synthesis:
Acetylating Salicylic Acid
•
Salicylic Acid +
Acetic Anhydride →
Acetyl Salicylic Acid +
Acetic Acid
(vinegar)

• Enzymes that synthesize Prostaglandins
• Prostaglandins: lipids that induce immune response to infection/injury: fever, increased blood flow (swelling) reduced blood clotting, white blood cell infiltration
• NSAIDS temporarily decrease COX activity

NSAIDS reduce COX Enzyme Acitivity
NSAID (Aspirin) Fever
COX Pain
Arachidonic Acid P rostaglandin Swelling
Inflammation

Headquarters: Leverkusen- Germany
Publicly traded company: ticker symbol BAYZF
Bayer stock
2011: revenue -36 Billion Euros, 106 000 employees,
40 countries worldwide
Product List ‘Highlights’: Heroin, Aspirin, Alka-
Seltzer, Zyklon-B, Polyurethane, Prontosil,
Ciproflaxin, Levitra