Nicolae Paulescu | |
|---|---|
 Nicolae Paulescu in Paris in 1897 | |
| Born | 30 October 1869 |
| Died | 17 July 1931 (aged 61) |
| Resting place | Bellu Cemetery, Bucharest |
| Alma mater | University of Paris |
| Known for | Discovery of an antidiabetic hormone released by the pancreas, later called insulin |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Medicine |
| Institutions | Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy |
Nicolae Constantin Paulescu (Romanian pronunciation: [nikoˈla.e pa.uˈlesku]; 30 October 1869 (O.S.) – 17 July 1931) was a Romanian physiologist, professor of medicine, and politician, most famous for his work on diabetes, including patenting pancreine (a pancreatic extract containing insulin). The "pancreine" was an extract of bovine pancreas in salted water, after which some impurites were removed with hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. Paulescu was also, with A. C. Cuza, co-founder of the National Christian Union and later, of the National-Christian Defense League in Romania. He was also a leading member of the Iron Guard.