Salicin is a β-glucoside compound derived from the bark of willow (Salix), poplar, and various other plants. It is a biosynthetic precursor to salicylaldehyde. It is a natural antioxidant. It has been used as an anti-flammatory agent. The chemical structure of salicin is similar to aspirin and was used during its initial development in the 1800's. In 1899, scientists at Bayer synthesized asperin (acetylsalicylic acid) from meadowsweet.
Salicin is freely soluble in water.
| References |
Ehrlich SD (2010) Willow Bark." Rev. of Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Complementary Medicine Sabaa M et al (2017) Anticancer activity of salicin and fenofibrate. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch Pharmacol 390:1061–1071 |
| Cancer Applications | Salicin was tested using two breast cancer models (in vitro MCF7, and in vivo EAC) and the pancreatic cancer cell line (Panc-1). Salicin was cytotoxic to MCF-7 and Panc-1 cell lines through activation of the caspase 3/7 apoptotic pathway. In vivo, the compound exerted anticancer activity seen by a decrease in tumor weight and volume, CEA level, and reduced tumor cholesterol content through an antioxidant (reduced MDA level and increased GSH and catalase content) and an anti-inflammatory activity (reduced TNF-∝ level). |