Page 329 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

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

a temperature above 25 ºC. It is very irritating to the eyes, and to the mucous
membranes.

Solubility
Podophyllum resin is practically insoluble in cold water; partially soluble in

hot water, from which it is precipitated on cooling, in ether., in chloroform, and in
dilute solution of ammonium hydroxide. It is entirely or almost entirely soluble in
alcohol 90 %.

Test for Identity
Reaction with potassium hydroxide T.S.: Add 0.4 g of finely powdered

Podophyllum resin to 3 ml of alcohol 60 % then add 0.5 ml of KOH T.S. and shake
gently; no gelatinisation takes place with American Podophyllum resin, but a stiff
jelly is formed with Indian Podophyllum resin.

Uses
Podophyllum resin is a caustic for certain papillomas. It is applied topically

as 25 % dispersion in compound benzoin tincture or in a 70-96 % solution of alcohol.
Podophyllum resin has also been used as a drastic purgative and a hydragogue
cathartic.

Scammony Resin

Syn.: Resina Scammonioe

Scammony resin is a mixture of resins prepared from the dried roots of
lpomoea orizabensis (Pellet) Lendenois, known as Mexican Scammony resin and
of Convolvulus, scammonia L., known as Levant Scammony resin
(Convolvulaceae).

Preparation
As under Jalap resin.

Description
Scammony resin occurs in brownish translucent masses, fragments, or as a

pale brown powder; fracture, brittle and resinous; odor, agreeable and characteristic;
taste, acrid.

Solubility
Scammony resin is insoluble in water and in carbon disulfide. It is soluble in

alcohol 90 %, in chloroform and in solutions of caustic alkali, but is wholly, or
partially soluble in ether.

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