Ana Aslan
| Ana Aslan | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | January 1, 1897, Brăila, Kingdom of Romania |
| Died | May 20, 1988, Bucharest, Socialist Republic of Romania (Aged 91) |
| Nationality | Romanian, Armenian |
| Education | M.D. in Cardiovascular Physiology (1924), University of Bucharest |
| Occupation | Biologist, physician, partial Armenian |
| Known for | Invention of Gerovital (H3) |
| Notable works | |
| Website | https://anaaslanacademy.ro/en/ |
Early life
Ana Aslan (born Anna Aslanyan) was born on 1 January 1897 in Brăila, Kingdom of Romania, to parents of Armenian descent, Mkrtitch and Sofia Aslanyans. She was the youngest of four children. Reportedly an intellectually precocious child, she learned to read and write by age four. Following her father's death when she was thirteen, the family relocated to Bucharest, where she completed her secondary education at the Central School of Bucharest in 1915.
Education and career
Aslan pursued medicine despite family objections due to financial constraints and the field's male-dominated nature at the time. She attended the Faculty of Medicine in Bucharest from 1915 to 1922, during which time she served as a nurse treating soldiers in the First World War. After graduation, she worked under Daniel Danielopolu, who supervised her doctoral thesis on cardiovascular physiology, which she completed in 1924.[1]
Aslan founded and directed the National Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics in Bucharest, serving as its director from 1958 until her death in 1988.[2]
Notable/unique
Aslan is best known for her development of Gerovital H3, a procaine hydrochloride-based preparation she created for anti-aging therapy. While experimenting on the effects of procaine on arthritis, she discovered additional therapeutic benefits that led to a three-year study culminating in Gerovital's development.[3][4]
In 1976, together with pharmacist Elena Polovrăgeanu, she developed Aslavital, a related preparation aimed at delaying the skin aging process.
Her work generated considerable interest and controversy in the Western medical community. Two major studies conducted in the United States around 1960 reportedly provided strong confirmation of Aslan's research but were never published.[5]
Awards
- Member of the Romanian Academy (1974)
- Member of the International Academy of Science, Munich
- "Cross of Merit" – First Class of the Order of Merit, Germany (1971)
- "Cavalier de la Nouvelle Europe" Prize Oscar, Italy (1973)
- "Les Palmes Academiques", France (1974)
- "Honorary Foreign Citizen and Honorary Professor of Sciences", Philippines (1978)
- "Member Honoris Causa" Diploma of the Bohemo-Slovakian Society of Gerontology (1981)
- "Leon Bernard Prize", World Health Organization (1982)
Death
Ana Aslan died on 20 May 1988 in Bucharest, Socialist Republic of Romania, at the age of 91. She is buried at Bellu Cemetery in Bucharest.
Published works
- Aslan A. "A new method for prophylaxis and treatment of aging with Novocain-eutrophic and rejuvenating effects." Therapiewoche 1956;7:14.
- Numerous papers on gerontology and the therapeutic effects of procaine published in Romanian and international medical journals.
Patents
- Gerovital H3 (procaine hydrochloride preparation)
- Aslavital (1976, with Elena Polovrăgeanu)
- Cosmetic formulations including Gerovital H3 hair lotion and cream
References
- ↑ Gruia I. "Ana Aslan--founder of the first Institute of Geriatrics." Philately-Medicine-Pharmacy 1998;3(9-10):41-2. PMID: 9787745
- ↑ National Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics "Ana Aslan", 011241 Bucharest, Romania.
- ↑ Aslan A. "A new method for prophylaxis and treatment of aging with Novocain-eutrophic and rejuvenating effects." Therapiewoche 1956;7:14.
- ↑ "Gerovital H3 therapy—a 20-year controversy. A visit to Prof. Ana Aslan and her institute in Romania." Geriatric Focus 1973;12:1.
- ↑ Ray Peat correspondence: "Two big studies done in the US around 1960 didn't get published, probably because they provided very strong confirmation for Aslan's research. (I got a copy of the one done at Edgemoor Geriatric Hospital in Santee, California, but have probably lost it.)"
