title: [The history of development of glucuronic acid as medicine from 1994 to 1951].
abstract: Glucuronic acid (GA) was known to be a detoxifying agent in humans and excereted in urine as a conjugated type. Dr. Morizo Ishidate, Tokyo University, wished to separate GA and determine its metabolic system and role in living organisms. Dr. Tsuyosi Shimozawa studied the metabolic course of GA in rats during the period 1943-1944 under the leadership of Dr. Ishidate. Dr. Ishidate and Dr. Masasi Okada first succeeded in obtaining GA lacton in crystal form from glucose using chemical synthesis in 1950. Dr. Yuji Imai and Mr. Masao Ishihara succeeded to produce GA using a mass-production method in the laboratory of Heiwa Seiyaku Co., Ltd. in 1950. The Ministry of Health and Welfare approved GA as a medicine in 1951.
authors.affiliation: The Japanese Society for History of Pharmacy.
authors.forename: Mitsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamada
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000266:history* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D020723:Glucuronic Acid