Aspirin – chemical complex with ferrous gluconate

Aspirin – chemical complex with ferrous gluconate is a pharmacological formulation or chemical complex consisting of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) aspirin and the iron supplement ferrous gluconate. It is not a biological target, such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter, but rather a combination of two distinct active pharmaceutical ingredients (PubChem, CID 2244; PubChem, CID 92194). Aspirin acts by irreversibly inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes, which are responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandins involved in pain and inflammation (StatPearls, 'Aspirin', 2023). Ferrous gluconate provides a source of elemental iron to support the production of hemoglobin in patients with iron deficiency (NIH, 'Iron Fact Sheet', 2023). Research into metal-aspirin complexes suggests they may be developed to enhance the therapeutic profile of aspirin, particularly by reducing gastric mucosal injury, but they do not represent a single molecular target for drug discovery (Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 2004). Therefore, this entity is classified as a drug complex rather than a therapeutic target. Clinical use of such a complex would typically target inflammatory conditions while simultaneously addressing or preventing iron deficiency anemia. The interaction between the salicylate and the iron ion in the complex may alter the pharmacokinetic properties of both components compared to their individual administration.

Other names

Ferrous acetylsalicylate gluconateIron-aspirin complexAspirin-iron combinationAcetylsalicylic acid and ferrous gluconate complex

The complex functions through the dual mechanisms of its components: aspirin irreversibly acetylates the active site of cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2), inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, while ferrous gluconate releases divalent iron ions (Fe2+) for absorption in the duodenum and subsequent incorporation into heme groups for hemoglobin and myoglobin synthesis (PubChem, 2024).