Abstract
1.Phenolphthalein oxime readily undergoes hydrolysis, both in vitro and in vivo, yielding p-amino-phenol and p-oxy-o-benzoyl benzoic acid in each case. By virtue of this decomposition, it differs markedly from other phenolphthalein compounds in its physiological effects.
2. It has no local action on animals and does not retard the growth of bacteria.
3. It is devoid of laxative action. An explanation is offered for this result, namely, that it is due to the absence of the quinoid structure, which is present in other purgative phthaleins and in the anthraquinone purgatives.
4. It is not absorbed from the stomach, but is taken up quite rapidly from the small intestine in all animals experimented upon except the dog and cat, which excrete most of the drug by the feces.
5. The mechanism of absorption is not understood, but experiments indicate that it is not attended by decomposition of the oxime.
6. After absorption, hydrolysis of the oxime quickly takes place, in all animals, with the liberation of the products mentioned. The animal body is limited in its power to carry on this hydrolysis, unchanged oxime being eliminated by the kidneys in those animals which absorb it quickly, as in the rabbit and woodchuck, and in other animals after large subcutaneous doses. A mild diuresis may follow in these instances, due to the irritant action of the liberated p-amino-phenol. The liver and kidney suffer from the cytolytic action of the amino-phenol, as do also the blood cells.
7. As a further result of the liberation of p-amino-phenol antipyretic effects may be obtained in those animals which absorb the oxime rapidly. The reduction in temperature is proportional to the amount of p-amino-phenol set free.
8. The p-oxy-o-benzoyl benzoic acid set free in this hydrolysis has been without physiological effect in these experiments. How it is eliminated has not been determined.
The writer wishes to express his indebtedness to Prof. W. R. Orndorff for valuable suggestions during this investigation, and for materials supplied from his laboratory. His thanks are also due to Prof. Sutherland Simpson for kindly criticisms.
Footnotes
- Received September 7, 1911.
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