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Asam Salisilat
Asam salisilat memiliki rumus molekul C6H4COOHOH berbentuk Kristal berwarna
merah muda terang hingga kecokelatan yang memiliki berat molekul sebesar
138,123 g/mol dengan titik leleh sebesar 156 0C dan densitas pada 25 0C
sebesar 1,443 g/mL. Mudah larut dalam air dingin tetapi dapat melarutkan
dalam keadaan panas. Asam salisat dapat menyublim tetapi dapat
terdekomposisi dengan mudah menjadi karbon dioksida dan phenol bila
dipanaskan secara cepat pada suhu sekitar 200 0C
Bahan baku utama dalam pembuatan asam salisilat adalah phenol, NaOH,
karbon dioksida dan asam sulfat. Asam salisilat kebanyakan digunakan sebagai
obat-obatan dan sebagai bahan intermediet pada pabrik obat dan pabrik
farmasi seperti aspirin dan beberapa turunannya. Sebagai antiseptic, asam
salisilat zat yang mengiritasi kulit dan selaput lendir. Asam salisilat tidak diserap
oleh kulit, tetapi membunuh sel epidermis dengan sangat cepat tanpa
memberikan efek langsung pada sel epidermis. Setelah pemakaian beberapa
hari akan menyebabkan terbentuknya lapisan-lapisan kulit yang baru. Obat ini
sangat spesifik untuk rematik akut yang dapat mencegah kerusakan jantung
yang biasanya terjadi akibat rematik, menghilangkan sakit secara keseluruhan,
dan beberapa saat setelah pemakaiannya akan menurunkan temperatur suhu
tubuh kembali normal.
Salicylic acid is biosynthesized from the amino acid phenylalanine. In Arabidopsis thaliana it
can also be synthesized via a phenylalanine-independent pathway.
Sodium salicylate is commercially prepared by treating sodium phenolate (the sodium salt of
phenol) with carbon dioxide at high pressure (100 atm) and high temperature (390K) -a method
known as the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction. Acidification of the product with sulfuric acid gives
salicylic acid:
It can also be prepared by the hydrolysis of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)[7] or methyl salicylate
(oil of wintergreen) with a strong acid or base.
Salicylic acid is known for its ability to ease aches and pains and reduce fevers. These medicinal
properties, particularly fever relief, have been known since ancient times, and it is used as an
anti-inflammatory drug.
In modern medicine, salicylic acid and its derivatives are used as constituents of some
rubefacient products. For example, methyl salicylate is used as a liniment to soothe joint and
muscle pain, and choline salicylate is used topically to relieve the pain of mouth ulcers.
Cotton pads soaked in salicylic acid can be used to chemically exfoliate skin
As with other beta hydroxy acids, salicylic acid is a key ingredient in many skin-care products
for the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, calluses, corns, keratosis pilaris,
acanthosis nigricans, ichthyosis, and warts. The standard treatment for calluses is a 6% aspirin
suspension in petroleum jelly, applied on the callus for one hour and then removed with washing.
It works as a keratolytic, bacteriostatic and comedolytic agent by causing the cells of the
epidermis to shed more readily,opening clogged pores and neutralizing bacteria within,
preventing pores from clogging up again by constricting pore diameter, and allowing room for
new cell growth. Because of its effect on skin cells, salicylic acid is used in several shampoos to
treat dandruff. Use of concentrated solutions of salicylic acid may cause hyperpigmentation on
unpretreated skin for those with darker skin types (Fitzpatrick phototypes IV, V, VI), as well as
with the lack of use of a broad spectrum sunblock.
Bismuth subsalicylate, a salt of bismuth and salicylic acid, is the active ingredient in stomach
relief aids such as Pepto-Bismol, is the main ingredient of Kaopectate, and displays antiinflammatory action (due to salicylic acid) and also acts as an antacid and mild antibiotic.A
2004 article in New Scientist discussing the controversial idea of treating salicylates as
micronutrients, akin to vitamins and antioxidants, suggested that perhaps in future we might
even call salicylate vitamin S
Katzung, Bertram. G. 2007. Farmakologi Dasar dan Klinik. Jakarta: Salemba Medika.
Wilmana, Freddy. 2005. Analgetik-Antipiretik Analgesik Anti-Inflamasi Nonsteroid dan Obat
Pirai : Farmakologi dan Terapi. Edisi IV. Jakarta :Universitas Indonesia. h. 207-213.