salisiini

Salisiini is a naturally occurring chemical compound classified as a glucoside. It is found in the bark of several trees, most notably in the willow species (Salix genus). Chemically, salicin is composed of a glucose molecule attached to a saligenin alcohol group. The primary significance of salicin lies in its role as a precursor to salicylic acid. When salicin is ingested or absorbed by the body, enzymes hydrolyze it, breaking it down into saligenin and glucose. Saligenin is then further metabolized into salicylic acid.

Historically, extracts from willow bark, rich in salicin, were used as a folk remedy for pain and fever. These traditional uses laid the groundwork for the development of modern pharmaceuticals. The scientific understanding of salicin's therapeutic properties evolved with the isolation and study of salicylic acid. While salicin itself has some analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, its metabolic conversion to salicylic acid is considered the main driver of its medicinal activity. Today, salicin is primarily of interest for its historical importance and its role in the synthesis and understanding of salicylic acid and its derivatives, such as aspirin. It is not widely used directly as a medication in modern Western medicine, though it may be found in some herbal supplements.