Percy Julian (1899-1975) was a chemist responsible for using plants to synthesize new medicines. Percy Julian took the soybean and was able to produce medicine that could treat inflammatory arthritis. Prior to this, treatment was limited. He was the first to synthesize physostigmine. Physostigmine is used to treat glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, and recently orthostatic hypotension (extremely low blood pressure). Percy Julian by utilizing the soybean oils was able to synthesize cortisone for commercial use. Percy Julian also explored the chemical synthesis of testosterone and and progesterone. Cortisone synthesis was another one of his scientific contributions.. Cortisone can be used to treat arthritis. Besides being a chemist, he also was a businessman. He founded Julian Laboratories in 1953. Percy Julian's company specialized in the production of cortisone. This time, Percy Julian did not only produce it from soybeans, but yams as well. He enjoyed research and his work. He always had a burning curiosity about chemical structures and the interactions of molecules.
The chemical formula for physostigmine
Eventually, Percy Julian's company became one of the largest drug producers that used yams. By 1964 he sold the company. Then founded smaller companies and continued his true love of research. Percy Julian also has the distinction of teaching at both Howard University and DePauw University. Most of his discoveries were uncovered at Depauw. Percy Julian was able to challenge the European monopoly on sterols. The chemical manipulation of soybeans reduced the cost of sterol production in the United States. Dr. Julian proved that science can have positive effects on society.
The chemical formula for cortisone
Further Reading
Addams, Russell. Great Negroes Past and Present . Chicago: Afro-Am Publishing Company,1964.
Roucek,Joseph & Kiernan, Thomas. The Negro Impact on Western Civilization. New York:
Philosophical Library,1970.
Appiah, Kwame and Gates, Henry. “Percy Julian.” Africana Encyclopedia.
New York :Perseus Books Group,1999. 1071
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