Painkillers have a long history. In Sumer, ancient Greece and Egypt on the leaves of the myrtle tree Salicylic acid was used to relieve pain. Hippocrates, father of modern medicine willow bark He used it as a pain reliever.

Powder obtained from the bark of the willow in the 18th century; It was used as a medicine for pain, fever and inflammation. In the modern sense, the first medicine is made from willow bark. is aspirin. It has been marketed by synthesizing a pure acetylsalicylic acid molecule (ASA). So how do painkillers that go back so long in human history manage to relieve pain?

The functioning of the pain mechanism is quite complex.

When there is a problem in cells in a part of our body, we may not be immediately aware of this problem. because at the cell level occurs. Our body then releases “arachidonic acid”, making us aware of the problem.

Arachidonic acid binds to enzymes called cyclooxygenza (COX) in the cells and enables the formation of prostaglandins. In this way pain receptors becomes aware of the situation. These receptors are present between the spinal cord and the skin, in muscles, in some internal organs and in our teeth. Receptors transmit this information very quickly to our brain. In other words, this chain of reactions and interactions is experienced before we feel pain.

So how do painkillers relieve pain?

Macro shot showing the crystalline state of aspirin.

Simple pain relievers such as aspirin come into contact with the painful area and limit the production of a chemical called “prostaglandin”. In this way the nerve endings cannot send pain signals to our brains or the intensity of the sent alarm is reduced.

We hypothesized that before the onset of pain, arachidonic acid is secreted into the cells and that they bind with cyclooxygenase enzymes to form prostaglandins. The active sites of cyclooxygenase enzymes are combined with arachidonic acid. key lock It is quite compatible. Painkillers intervene and block the connection and prevent the transmission of pain signals to our brain.

Drugs spread throughout the body, do not target a specific point.

If they could go to certain points it would be much more at low dose Taking medicine would be enough. In this way, the side effects of the drugs were also significantly reduced. It is also worth remembering that painkillers do not solve the cause of the pain. It simply stops our brain from perceiving pain temporarily. Therefore, it is very important to treat the source of the pain.

Sources: 1, 2