Phloroglucinol, a type of benzenetriol, is an organic compound used to synthesize pharmaceuticals and explosives.
People often use medication based on this compound for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Bladder Spasms, and other similar conditions.
A derivative of Phloroglucinol usually known as Phloroglucinol Hydrate is one of the active ingredients of Spasfon. Experts find it useful because of its antispasmodic properties.
Phloroglucinol is a benzenetriol, a term that refers to a specific type of aromatic chemical compounds and polyphenols.
The molecule of Phloroglucinol exists in the forms of 1,3,5-benzenetriol and 1,3,5-trihydroxy-benzene. Its molecular weight is 126.10.
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) defines Phloroglucinol as a phenol.
Phenols are a group of organic chemical compounds found in plants. These molecules have a hydroxyl group attached to the carbon atom of an aromatic ring.
The first scientist to isolate this compound was Heinrich Hlasiwetz in 1855. He initially prepared Phloroglucinol from phloretin, a crystalline antibacterial substance that comes from apple leaves.
However, that isn’t the only way to obtain Phloroglucinol. Scientists discovered they could prepare this compound from glucosides (a molecule with sugar derived from glucose), plant extracts and resins.
Phloroglucinol usually comes in the form of 80 mg dispersible tablets, sometimes identified as Spasfon AOC.
People can also find this medication in the form of ampoules for intravenous administration.
Natural Occurrence
While it’s true that scientists needed to resort to chemical processes to obtain Phloroglucinol, researchers had found the presence of this compound occurring in natural environments.
Some specific plant species synthesize Phloroglucinol, although it plays no relevant role in the growth or development of this organisms.
One of this plants is the Coastal Woodfern (Dryopteris Arguta), a species of wood fern that grows in oak woodlands as well as shady low elevation slopes.
Another species would be the Thick-stemmed Wood Fern (Dryopteris crassirhizoma), a semi-evergreen fern native to wooded slopes.
Some experts also mentioned the Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) as another potential source because its roots likely work using flavaspidic acid, which is a derivative of Phloroglucinol.
Brown Algae and some bacteria are capable of producing Phloroglucinol too.
For example, Ecklonia stolonifera, known in Japan as Turuarame (蔓荒布), a brown alga species with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties produces Phloroglucinol.
The Sea Oak (Eisenia bicyclis), also known as Arame (荒布), is another Japanese brown alga that produces this compound.
The Pseudomonas fluorescens, a rod-shaped bacterium, produces Phloroglucinol too, as well as the Phloroglucinol carboxylic acid and Diacetylphloroglucinol.
Use
Medical experts use it to reduce intestinal spasms caused by Colitis, a disease that features the inflammation of the inner lining of the colon.
It alleviates abdominal cramps, menstrual pain, and acute renal colics (caused by kidney stones).
Some doctors use it to deal with the spams that come along Gallstones (Cholelithiasis), which is the presence of solid concretions that block bile ducts.
Several healthcare providers use Phloroglucinol medication in the treatment of IBS.
Phloroglucinol also works as an anti-inflammatory agent that helps to relax the muscles of the gastrointestinal wall, and reduce the pain caused by urinary diseases.
Dosage
Doctors usually recommend this medication to treat adults, not children.
Usually, when patients are under such treatment, they take at most 800mg of Phloroglucinol every 8 hours.
However, doctors will be the ones that will determine the amount and frequency of the dosage that each patient may need, as not every case feature the same necessities.
If they end up prescribing a different quantity, people do well in following the doctors’ instructions.
Phloroglucinol Side-effects
The use of Phloroglucinol as medication to treat patients rarely results in an undesirable effect. Although, it’s possible for some individuals to be allergic to this chemical compound.
It’s up to the Doctors to be careful in this regard and confirm whether or not the patient could likely display oversensitivity to the medication
An allergic response to Phloroglucinol can lead a patient to develop skin rashes, changes in the texture or color of some small areas of the skin. Along with these rashes, people may experience itching and irritation.
In some rare cases, individuals could end up suffering from urticaria, which is a condition that features reddened, itchy, elevated patches on the skin.
If patients start experiencing effects like the ones described here, they need to go to the doctor, as soon as possible, to discuss suspending the treatment or choosing another procedure.
