Castor oil API Manufacturers

General Description:

Castor oil, identified by CAS number 8001-79-4, is a notable compound with significant therapeutic applications. Castor oil is a vegetable oil obtained by pressing the seeds of the castor oil plant (_Ricinus communis_ L.) mainly cultivated in India, South America, Africa, and China. Castor oil is a rich source of , which represents up to 90% of the total castor oil content. It also consists up to 4% linoleic, 3% oleic, 1% stearic, and less than 1% linolenic fatty acids . has a hydroxyl group that provides a functional group location for various chemical reactions, making it a favourable substance in industrial applications . Castor oil does not contain ricin, which is a natural poison found in the castor oil plant; the toxic lectin remains in the bean pulp following oil isolation . Due to its renewability and high versatility in addition to being the only commercial source of a hydroxylated fatty acid , castor oil has been used as a vital raw material for the chemical industry . Castor oil was mainly used in the manufacturing of soaps, lubricants, and coatings . It is an FDA-approved food additive directly added to food products for human consumption. It can also be found in hard candies as a release agent and anti-sticking agent, or supplementary vitamins and mineral oral tablets as an ingredient for protective coatings. Castor oil is found in over-the-counter oral liquids as a stimulant laxative, and is also added in commercial cosmetic, hair, and skincare products.

Indications:

This drug is primarily indicated for: Indicated for over-the-counter use as a laxative for oral use and as a soothing agent for topical use on skin and hair. Its use in specific medical scenarios underscores its importance in the therapeutic landscape.

Metabolism:

Castor oil undergoes metabolic processing primarily in: Castor oil is hydrolyzed to glycerol and ricinoleic acid via pancreatic or intestinal lipase activity . Ricinoleic acid is metabolized systemically and the metabolites are excreted . Fatty acids are expected to be degraded by pancreatic and intestinal lipase. This metabolic pathway ensures efficient processing of the drug, helping to minimize potential toxicity and side effects.

Absorption:

The absorption characteristics of Castor oil are crucial for its therapeutic efficacy: After oral ingestion of castor oil, ricinoleic acid is released by lipases in the intestinal lumen and absorbed in the intestine . Findings from the rat study suggest that the absorption of castor oil is inversely related to the administered dose, but the absorption is virtually complete at small doses (4g) . The drug's ability to rapidly penetrate into cells ensures quick onset of action.

Half-life:

The half-life of Castor oil is an important consideration for its dosing schedule: No pharmacokinetic data available. This determines the duration of action and helps in formulating effective dosing regimens.

Protein Binding:

Castor oil exhibits a strong affinity for binding with plasma proteins: No pharmacokinetic data available. This property plays a key role in the drug's pharmacokinetics and distribution within the body.

Route of Elimination:

The elimination of Castor oil from the body primarily occurs through: Fecal recovery of radio-labelled castor oil ranged from 11.4% (for 10 g dose of castor oil) to 86.0% (for 44.4 g dose of castor oil) . Understanding this pathway is essential for assessing potential drug accumulation and toxicity risks.

Volume of Distribution:

Castor oil is distributed throughout the body with a volume of distribution of: No pharmacokinetic data available. This metric indicates how extensively the drug permeates into body tissues.

Clearance:

The clearance rate of Castor oil is a critical factor in determining its safe and effective dosage: No pharmacokinetic data available. It reflects the efficiency with which the drug is removed from the systemic circulation.

Pharmacodynamics:

Castor oil exerts its therapeutic effects through: Castor oil is a potent laxative that was shown to be effective for short-term constipation. In a prospective study, the group receiving oral castor oil was associated with a higher likelihood of initiation of labour compared to the placebo group . Castor oil is known to induce diarrhea, and has been used in studies to assess anti-diarrheal effect of some compounds . The drug's ability to modulate various physiological processes underscores its efficacy in treating specific conditions.

Mechanism of Action:

Castor oil functions by: Castor oil is a mix of triglycerides consisting of mainly ricinolein, linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, dihydroxystearic acid, and traces of other fatty acids . The main pharmacodynamic effects of castor oil are mediated by ricinoleic acid, a hydroxylated fatty acid released from castor oil by intestinal lipases . It was believed that ricinoleic acid acts as an anionic surfactant that reduces net absorption of fluid and electrolytes, and stimulates intestinal peristalsis . However, a recent study suggests that ricinoleic acid interacts with EP3 prostanoid receptors expressed on intestinal and uterine smooth muscles. Via activating EP3 prostanoid receptors on intestinal and uterine smooth muscle cells, ricinoleic acid promotes laxation and uterus contraction, respectively . EP3 receptor act as the major prostanoid receptor in the intestine mediating propulsive effects on gut motility, and activation of EP3 receptors has been demonstrated to evoke contraction of uterine smooth muscle . This mechanism highlights the drug's role in inhibiting or promoting specific biological pathways, contributing to its therapeutic effects.

Toxicity:

Categories:

Castor oil is categorized under the following therapeutic classes: Alimentary Tract and Metabolism, Biological Products, Complex Mixtures, Contact Laxatives, Drugs for Constipation, Fats, Fats, Unsaturated, Gastrointestinal Agents, Laxatives, Lipids, Oils, Plant Oils, Plant Preparations. These classifications highlight the drug's diverse therapeutic applications and its importance in treating various conditions.

Experimental Properties:

Further physical and chemical characteristics of Castor oil include:

• Melting Point: -10
• Boiling Point: 300