Nitric Oxide History

Since three scientists won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998 for discovering nitric oxide's role in cell signaling, nitric oxide has become one of the most researched molecules and medical topics in recent history. However, our understanding of this tiny "miracle molecule" has grown from humble beginnings.

Discovery:

First studied in 1772 by Joseph Priestly, who called it "nitrous air," nitric oxide was first discovered as a colorless, toxic gas. Unfortunately, the classification of toxid gas and air pollutant continued to be the only labels nitric oxide was afforded until 1987, when it was shown to actually be produced naturally in the body.

Noni from the Islands:

Scientists have only recently discovered the link between nitric oxide and the noni plant (Morinda citrifolia). Noni originally came from Polynesia, Micronesia and the Hawaiian islands. The Polynesian people have been using noni for thousands of years as a cure-all plant.

During the 1990's, purchase and distribution of noni started to grow exponentially around the world. Scientists started to notice a correlation between the patients using the noni plant and having nitric oxide in the body.

From 1999 to 2000, Dr. Thomas Burke and other researches at Integrated Systems Physiology conducted research, which found that noni fruit juice created nitric oxide in the body. We now know extracts from the entire noni plant generate additional nitric oxide in the body, providing noni with its numerous healing powers.

The Nitroglycerin Era:

Alfred Nobel, who left one of the world's most renowned legacies by establishing the Nobel Peace Prizes, actually made his fortune from the manufacture and selling of nitroglycerin. As early as 1867, Nobel was packaging one of the world's most explosive substances in a safer, more stable form he called dynamite.

Ironically, by the end of Nobel's life, nitroglycerine was also known to have positive effects for those suffering from heart conditions. Nobel, himself, was ordered by a doctor to take a dose of nitroglycerin (an order he refused) for some heart problems. It was nearly 100 years later before it was discovered that nitroglycerin's positive effects are reliant on its release of nitric oxide. Because of its benefits, nitroglycerin is still prescribed by doctors today.

The Molecule of Life:

By the early 1980's, scientists had conclusively proven that nitric oxide occurred naturally within the human body. By 1987, nitric oxide's role in regulation blood pressure and relieving heart conditions was well-established. Two years later, research revealed that nitric oxide is used by macrophages to kill tumor cells and bacteria.

In 1992, nitric oxide was voted "Molecule of the Year" by Science magazine. The importance of nitric oxide became front page news in 1998 when Louis J. Ignerro, Robert F. Furchgott and Ferid Murad were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology. These scientists identified nitric oxide as a signaling molecule, opening up a new way of treatment for millions of patients.

Now, in 2006, more than 70,000 scientific papers have been published on nitric oxide and its seemingly endless role in health and physiology.