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Medical applications of ASPIRIN

Health: Medical applications of ASPIRIN

Since its market introduction under the trademark Aspirin in the year 1899, acetylsalicylic acid has attained a leading position world-wide in the prescription-free therapy of painful, inflammatory and feverish conditions. The origins of Aspirin lie in the use of the bark of the willow tree. What Aspirin is perhaps best known for is its blood-thinning properties. While moderate or high dose aspirin is not recommen-ded for people with gastric or kidney dysfunction, in low dosages of 50 to 75 mg a day it is beneficial for most adults with cardio-vascular diseases.

Whereas the origin of the use of the bark of the willow tree "Salix alba" (from which aspirin is derived) dates back to ancient indigenous populations of probably two thousand years ago, salicylates were discovered in the mid nineteenth century. Use of the bark has been documented in ancient traditions of China (500 B.C.), Assyria, Egypt, and Greece as well as by native American healers. It was in 1829 that scientists discovered that it was the compound called salicin in willow plants, which provides relief from pain. The name aspirin comes from the company Bayer who first used the name in 1899. The white willow tree is presently extensively cultivated in Russia, Spain, Iran and India.

Pain, inflammation and fever

Acetyl salicylic acid, commonly known as aspirin, is well known for its analgesic (pain relieving), anti-inflammatory and fever reducing properties. It is used for the treatment of inflammation and pain that results from many forms of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's syndrome, and osteoarthritis, as well as soft tissue injuries affecting the tendons. Aspirin is also used for rapid relief of mild to moderate pain and fever.

Heart disease and brain strokes

An increasingly popular application of Aspirin is to inhibit platelet aggregation (clumping of a type of blood cell) and thereby prevent the formation of blood clots that may obstruct blood vessels producing a cardiac arrest (heart attack) or a stroke (in the brain). Therapeutic use of aspirin in patients with suspected coronary artery disease has been reported to improve all coronary syndromes (arteries affecting the heart). Aspirin also produces beneficial effects in the prevention of cerebral ischemia (chronic lack of blood to the brain). The figure on platelet aggregation refers to repair of a blood vessel but the same process could lead to formation of a thrombus (blood clot) that blocks blood flow in an artery.

Optimal dosage for heart and brain health (50 to 81 mg only)

A study on heart function from a medical centre in Virginia, USA demonstrated using isolated mouse hearts that when aspirin was used in dosages recommended for its anti-inflammatory or anti-arthritic properties (approx. 325 mg to 650 mg), it had a negative effect on a heart that has a history of ischemia (loss of oxygenated blood flow). However, at one tenth of this dose (about 50 mg) there was improvement in cardiac function.A study in humans from Loyola University in Chicago further demonstrated the effectiveness of aspirin in the dose of 81 mg on formation of blood clots in patients who have drug-eluting stents in their arteries. In this study, the higher dose of 325 mg was no better than the 81 mg dose.

Cancer

Salicylic acid has also been reported to inhibit metastasis (spread of cancer cells beyond their site or origin) in colorectal cancer. It has been recently shown that aspirin inhibits breast cancer, skin cancer, and two common brain tumors (i.e. gliomas and meningiomas). In addition, there is evidence for a role of aspirin in preventing cancer of the biliary tract and possibly some tumors of the esophagus (food pipe), particularly where it connects to the stomach (gastro-esophageal junction).

Diabetes

In a clinical biochemistry study it has been reported that aspirin therapy in diabetic rats decreases blood glucose levels. In addition, aspirin decreases the biochemical end products formed by combination of glucose with body tissues in general, and specifically glycosylated hemoglobin formation. Further, aspirin improves the lipid profile, functionality of high-density lipoprotein (a type of cholesterol), and the antioxidant capacity of the body. Overall, aspirin decreases the death rate of diabetic rats in comparison with the group without treatment.

Eye and miscellaneous applications

Aspirin has also been found to have benefit in preventing cataract, especially those attributed to diabetes mellitus. A recent study reported that people taking aspirin had a lower rate of dry eye. Researchers at the University of Southern California have found the health benefits of aspirin in the fight against osteoporosis. Aspirin has also found limited application in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and other neuro-degenerative conditions.

Who should avoid aspirin?

People who should avoid aspirin include those with acidity, peptic ulcer disease, or poor kidney function, since this medication can aggravate these conditions. Some asthma patients can have worsening of breathing while taking aspirin. Aspirin can alter the blood uric acid level and is best avoided in patients with elevated blood uric acid and gout. Children and teenagers should avoid aspirin for flu or chickenpox symptoms because of the associated risk of Reye's syndrome, a serious disease of the liver and nervous system that can lead to coma. Aspirin is generally avoided during pregnancy and in nursing mothers as aspirin products are secreted into the breast milk. Finally, any patient who is about to undergo surgery should withdraw aspirin a few days prior to surgery.

Side effects and physician consent

Aspirin in low doses is relatively free of side effects for most people. However, serious side effects can occur and generally tend to be dose related. Therefore, it is advisable to use the lowest effective dose (50 to 81 mg long term) to minimize side effects. The most common side effects of aspirin involve damage to the lining of the stomach and small intestine and ringing in the ears. It can cause ulcerations, abdominal burning, pain, cramping, nausea, gastritis, and even serious gastrointestinal bleeding and liver toxicity. Sometimes, stomach ulceration and bleeding can occur without any abdominal pain. Black tarry stools, weakness, and dizziness upon standing may be the only signs of internal bleeding. Skin rash, kidney impairment, vertigo, and lightheadedness can also occur. If any such side effect occurs, the daily dose should be reduced. Importantly, do not start aspirin therapy without your physician's knowledge and consent.

Dashmula Kwatha (Decoction prepared from 10 roots) Traditional Ayurvedic Formula

Considered as the "Aspirin of Ayurveda"

• Useful for fatigue, nervous, worries, poor sleep and nervous system

• Detoxification of the entire body

• Liver and kidneys tonic

• Hormone balancer

• Useful for gynecological problems

• Useful for all inflammations

• Helps to relieve both mental and physical tensions

• Helpful when stop smoking

Literally meaning ten roots, this traditional formula is specifically used to pacify Vata (Air) and Kapha (Water). It is commonly prepared as a tea for Basti (Herbal Enema). Dashamula is a group of ten roots and a combination of Laghu Panchamula (small five roots) and Vrihata Panchamula (big five roots). The action of these roots is balancing for the three Doshas (Humors Vata-air, Pitta-fire, Kapha-water).

Trade Name

Company

Strength (mg)

Number of tabs

Price (Rs.)

Generic Aspirin-50 delayed release

Zydus Healthcare

50

14

2.64

Ecosprin-75 delayed release

USV Ltd.

75

14

3.82

Colsprin-100 Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor

Reckitt Benckiser

100

14

3.04

Ecosprin-150 delayed release

USV Ltd.

150

14

6.03

Disprin Soluble Analgesic

Reckitt Benckiser

350

10

3.5

By Dr Nehi Sinha and Dr Karan R Aggarwala

Dr Nehi Sinha teaches biotechnology at Ansal Institute of Technology and has conducted pre-clinical research on aspirin in breast cancer.

Dr Karan R Aggarwala is an optometrist, vision scientist and nutrition counselor and is a consultant to 3 academic institutions in India.

nehisinha@gmail.com, kaggarwala@gmail.com

To read more log on to www.consumer-voice.org

About the Author

Consumer VOICE was founded by teachers and students at the University of Delhi in the beginning of the academic year 1983-84. Till mid 1986, Consumer VOICE functioned as an unregistered voluntary consumer association.

On 28 June 1986, it was registered as a Public Charitable Trust with noted jurist, Justice (retd.) V.M. Tarkunde and Prof. P.K. Ghosh of the Delhi School of Economics as founder donors and Dr. Sri Ram Khanna and Mr Rajan Karanjawala as Trustees.

In 1988 the Dept of Company Affairs Govt. of India accorded recognition to Consumer VOICE under the MRTP Act. The trust has since been granted exemption under section 80-G of the Income Tax Act and, donations made to the Trust are exempt from Tax. However the organization does not accept donations from private enterprise in order to ensure objectivity, or from individuals except when the donor is genuinely committed to espouse the cause of consumer protection.

As one of its first consumer-rights initiative, VOICE filed a suit against the ‘Wills Made for Each Other' tobacco campaign, as it was monopolistic and discriminated against consumers who did not smoke. VOICE also challenged television manufacturers which were selling colour television sets at a premium to consumers during the Asiad Games.

In 1997, VOICE started to publish Consumer VOICE, a bi-monthly magazine that focused on bringing consumers information on product performance. ‘Voltage Stabilisers' were one of the first product tests to be published in Consumer VOICE magazine.

The publisher of Consumer VOICE magazine since 1999 it is currently working in close co-ordination with the Dept of Consumer Affairs, Govt of India, on a comparative product testing project. The project aims to test a wide range of products most commonly used by Indian consumers in NABL-accredited laboratories. The test results are then published in Consumer VOICE magazine.

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What can I do to tweak this drink?

I have concocted a yummy drink using vodka, peach schnapps, and peach Nehi soft drink. It's really good but it has a little bitter bite to it. What do I need to add to knock that out? I used 2oz Grey Goose vodka, 1 oz DeKuyper peach schnapps, and about 4 oz peach soda.

take out the peach schnapps and replace it with sprite, the schnapps made your concoction bitter.

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