SALICINE Meaning and
Definition
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Salicine refers to a natural compound found in certain plant species, particularly willow trees (genus Salix), that possesses medicinal properties. It is a type of organic chemical compound known as a phenolic glycoside. Salicin, the most common form of salicine, is a white crystalline substance that has a characteristic bitter taste. It was first isolated from willow bark by the German pharmacist Johann Andreas Buchner in the early 19th century.
Salicine is notable for its analgesic (pain-relieving) and antipyretic (fever-reducing) properties. When consumed, it is converted into salicylic acid in the human body, which is the active compound responsible for its therapeutic effects. Salicine is particularly renowned for its ability to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation, making it a popular treatment for conditions such as headaches, muscle aches, and joint pain.
The discovery and subsequent isolation of salicine from willow bark led to the development of aspirin, a synthetic derivative of salicylic acid. Aspirin has become one of the most widely used over-the-counter medications worldwide due to its effectiveness in pain relief, reducing fever, and preventing blood clotting.
In addition to willow trees, other plants, such as poplar and meadowsweet, also contain salicine in varying quantities. Its medicinal properties have been recognized for centuries, with historical records indicating the use of willow bark as a natural remedy by ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Native Americans. Today, salicine continues to be the subject of scientific research and is a valuable compound in the field of herbal medicine.
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A bitter crystallisable substance extracted from the bark of the willow or the poplar.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for SALICINE
- salicin
- Salicyn
- aalicine
- zalicine
- xalicine
- dalicine
- ealicine
- walicine
- szlicine
- sslicine
- swlicine
- sqlicine
- sakicine
- sapicine
- saoicine
- salucine
- saljcine
- salkcine
- salocine
- sal9cine
Etymology of SALICINE
The word "salicine" comes from the Latin word "salix", which means "willow". In turn, "salix" originates from the Proto-Indo-European root *sal-, meaning "willow tree". The suffix "-ine" is a common ending used to form nouns in chemistry, indicating that salicine is a compound or derivative of salicylic acid, which is found in willow bark.
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