Extractum Colocynthidis. Extract of Colocynth.
Ext. Colocynth. [Powdered Extract of Colocynth]
Related entries: Colocynth
"One gramme of the Extract represents four grammes of colocynth." U. S.
Extractum Colocynthidis Alcoholicum: Extrait de Coloquinte, Fr. Cod.; Extractum Colocynthidis, P. G.; Koloquintenextrakt, G.; Estratto di coloquintide idroalcoolico, It.
"Colocynth, in No. 20 powder, one thousand grammes (freed from the seeds) [or 35 ounces av., 120 grains]; Diluted Alcohol, Starch, dried at 100° C. (212° F.) each, a sufficient quantity, to make two hundred and fifty grammes [or 8 ounces av., 358 grains]. Moisten the drug with two thousand mils [or 67 fluidounces, 301 minims] of diluted alcohol and macerate it in a closed vessel for twenty-four hours, then transfer the moist drug to a cylindrical percolator, shake it down evenly without packing, and gradually pour diluted alcohol upon it, allowing the percolation to proceed slowly, until the percolate measures five thousand mils [or 169 fluidounces, 33 minims]. Recover the alcohol from the percolate by distillation and evaporate the residue to dryness on a water bath or steam bath. Reduce the extract to a fine powder, weigh it, and add sufficient of the dried starch to make the product weigh two hundred and fifty grammes [or 8 ounces av., 358 grains]. Mix the powders thoroughly, pass the Extract through a fine sieve, transfer it to small, wide-mouthed bottles and stopper them tightly." U. S.
The colocynth should always be deprived of its seeds, following the directions of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia, before being submitted to the action of the menstruum. Boiling water extracts such a large amount of pectin and mucilage from colocynth that either the decoction or the hot infusion gelatinizes on cooling, and the extract made by means of it is therefore loaded with inert matter, and, besides, is liable to become .mouldy, or so tough and hard as to resist trituration and formation into pills. Hence many years ago the London College, following in this respect the old French Codex, directed, in the last edition of its Pharmacopoeia, maceration with cold water; but diluted alcohol has been found to be a much better menstruum, and has accordingly been adopted in the U. S. Pharmacopoeia process, while in the British Pharmacopoeia the simple extract has been discarded altogether. The chief, if not exclusive, use of the alcoholic' extract is in the preparation of the compound extract.
This preparation should never be substituted for an extract prepared with a menstruum containing a larger percentage of water, because the water extracts a large quantity of mucilaginous and inert matter. Commercial extract of colocynth may be often found in the market made with an aqueous menstruum.
Dose, one-half grain (0.032 Gm.).
Off. Prep.—Extractum Colocynthidis Compositum, U. S.; Pilulae Colocynthidis Compositae, N. F.; Pilulae Colocynthidis et Hyoscyami, N. F.
