Mucolysis by ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide on compact mucin secreted in pseudomyxoma peritonei.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

This study examines the potential efficacy of hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid in the dissolution of mucinous ascites from pseudomyxoma peritonei.

METHODS:

The mucolytic action of both ascorbic acid (0%-0.2%) and hydrogen peroxide (0%-3%) are investigated as single agent on mucin samples derived from patient. This was followed by examining the joint action of ascorbic acid (0.2%) and hydrogen peroxide (0%-3.0%) on mucin. To lower the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the mixture, the action of equal concentration of ascorbic acid/hydrogen peroxide ranging from 0%-0.3% are then examined. Finally, the pH (4.5-7.0) effect on mucolytic properties of equal concentration (0.2%) of ascorbic acid/hydrogen peroxide was studied.

RESULTS:

At the concentrations examined (0%-0.2%), ascorbic acid showed highest mucolytic activity at 0.2%. Similarly, hydrogen peroxide as a single agent (0%-3.0%) showed highest mucolytic activity at 3.0%. The mucolytic action of hydrogen peroxide (0%-3.0%) containing 0.2% ascorbic acid demonstrated synergistic effects. At equal concentration of the two agents, ranging from 0%-0.5%, maximal mucolytic action was observed at 0.2%. The mucolytic property of the final mixture (0.2% ascorbic acid/0.2% hydrogen peroxide) was pH-dependent and showed maximal degradation at pH 4.5 and declined as it reached towards neutral pH.

CONCLUSION:

The current study introduces the potential applicability of a formulation that holds promise as a mucolytic agent in patients with mucinous ascites from pseudomyxoma peritonei.

• Authors: Krishna Pillai, Javed Akhter, Terence C Chua, David L Morris
• Journal: The Journal of surgical research (J Surg Res) Vol. 174 Issue 2 Pg. e69-73 (May 15 2012) ISSN: 1095-8673 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22261589 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Expectorants
• Mucins
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Ascorbic Acid

Topics

• Ascorbic Acid (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
• Expectorants (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Hydrogen Peroxide (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Mucins (drug effects)
• Peritoneal Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (drug therapy)