'alloxan' originates from the combination of 'allantoin' and 'oxalic acid', where 'allantoin' is a compound found in many plants and animals, and 'oxalic acid' is a simple dicarboxylic acid.

'Alloxan' was first synthesized in the 19th century by the reaction of uric acid with nitric acid.

Initially, it was used to study the effects of diabetes, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.