Page 326 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

Pharmacognosy-2 (PG303) Level 2 Clinical Pharmacy-Pharm D

Constituents
Colophony contains about 84 % of total abietic acids, about 5-6 % of resene,

0.5 % of volatile oil and traces of a bitter substance.

Uses
Colophony has stimulant and diuretic properties. It is used chiefly as an

ingredient of ointments and plasters, of some varnishes, paint dryers, printing inks
and floor coverings.

Guaiacum Resin

Syn.: Resina Guaiaci; Rating Khashabel Anbeya

Guaiacum resin is the resin obtained from the heart wood of Guaiacum
officinale L., and of G. sanctum L. (Zygophyllaceae).

Preparation
Most of the resin of commerce is produced in the following way from the

trunk of the tree, the heartwood of which contains from 20-25 % of resin. A log of
the wood is supported in a horizontal position above the ground by two upright bars.
Each end of the log is then set on fire, and, a large incision having been previously
made in the middle, the melted resin runs out there from in considerable abundance,
or one end of a log of wood is raised, and the fire is applied to it, when the melted
resin will run out of a groove cut in the other end, and may be received in potsherds
(Block resin). The resin may also be obtained in the form of tears by incisions made
into the trunk. The resin is also prepared by extracting the wood with alcohol.

Description
Guaiacum resin occurs usually in large blocks, or sometimes in rounded or

ovoid tears often covered with a dull green powder, fracture, brittle, vitreous, thin
splinters, transparent from yellowish green to reddish-brown. When powdered, it is
greyish but becomes green on exposure to light and air. Odor: aromatic especially
when warmed; taste, slightly acrid.

Solubility
Guaiacum resin is soluble in ether, in chloroform, in alcohol, and in solutions

of chloral hydrate and of caustic alkali. It is partially soluble in benzene, and in
carbon disulfide.

Constituents
Guaiacum resin consists chiefly of - and -guaiaconic acids (about 70 %),

guairetic acid (about 11.25 %), and a small amount of guaiacic acid. Other

268