POMERANIAN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY IN SZCZECIN

The research was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and compared the effects of two substances: acetylsalicylic acid (the popular “aspirin”) and willow extract standardized to 13% salicin.

Now, let’s delve into history. “Aspirin,” or acetylsalicylic acid, was invented over 100 years ago in the laboratories of Bayer. There, a metabolic product of the liver, salicylic acid, was synthesized. The body naturally produces this acid from the supplied salicin, the best source of which is willow bark. Consequently, since 1935, a synthetically produced substitute for this natural substance has been available on the market. Unfortunately, using this substitute carries the risk of side effects.

Now back to the research in Szczecin. Prof. Samochowiec and Dr. Glinko compared the effects of the synthetic and natural substances. The results turned out to be very surprising!

Methodology:

In the study, carrageenan-induced edema was induced, representing inflammation of the hind paw in Wistar rats. 70 animals were randomly divided into groups of 10 individuals each.

• Groups 1-3 received a solution of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) at doses of 100, 300, and 600 mg/kg.
• Groups 4-6 received an aqueous solution of willow extract (ES), standardized to 13% salicin, at doses of 60, 100, and 120 mg/kg.
• Group 7, the control group, was given distilled water.

One hour after drug administration, a 0.1 ml solution of 1% aqueous carrageenan was subcutaneously injected into the plantar surface of the right hind paw of the animals.
The volume of the right hind paw of each rat was measured using a plethysmometer three times: a. immediately after carrageenan solution administration, b. 1 hour after carrageenan solution administration, c. 3 hours after carrageenan solution administration. Changes in the volume of the right hind paw of the animals in the experimental groups were compared with the corresponding volume increase in the control group 7.

INHIBITION OF INFLAMMATION AFTER 3 HOURS

The conducted studies demonstrated a comparable scope and potency of therapeutic action of willow bark extract to “aspirin”, and even greater effectiveness in terms of anti-inflammatory and analgesic action, especially at high doses of acetylsalicylic acid, burdened with numerous adverse effects under these conditions. According to the opinion of the eminent American researcher V.E. Tyler from Pardue University, natural preparations containing willow bark are much safer than acetylsalicylic acid, as evidenced by the lack of reports in the medical literature of any serious adverse effects. He referred to willow extracts as “natural aspirin”.

🔵 Conclusions:

1. Standardized extract from willow bark exhibits analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects comparable to those achieved with 10 times higher doses of acetylsalicylic acid.
2. Extractum salicis is a safe herbal remedy, showing no acute toxic effects or damage to the gastric mucosa.
3. Willow bark extract may represent a valuable alternative in situations where the intake of synthetic acetylsalicylic acid is not advisable.

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