Does Salicylic Acid Work by Hydrolyzing to its Active Form?

[nymbler_064]

Hi guys, I just have a quick query about the mechanism of action of salicylic acid. I have tried in vain to find a solution elsewhere, but have not had any luck.

How exactly does salicyclic acid work. As far as I can tell, it doesn't have an acetyl group, which is how aspirin mediates its effects on COX. However, my research seem to suggest that this is the active form of aspirin (ie. Aspirin undergoes hydrolysis to salicylic acid prior to acetalysing COX). Is this true, and if so, how does it work?

Kind Regards.

 

[chemisttree]

Hi guys, I just have a quick query about the mechanism of action of salicylic acid. I have tried in vain to find a solution elsewhere, but have not had any luck.

How exactly does salicyclic acid work. As far as I can tell, it doesn't have an acetyl group, which is how aspirin mediates its effects on COX. However, my research seem to suggest that this is the active form of aspirin (ie. Aspirin undergoes hydrolysis to salicylic acid prior to acetalysing COX). Is this true, and if so, how does it work?

Kind Regards.

You need to alter your understanding of aspirin's mechanism of action perhaps.

http://www.cas.org/newsevents/connections/salicylicacid.html

 

[nymbler_064]

Thanks very much - It seems i need to reevaluate my understanding of its action.