The influence of chaulmoogra on sulphur metabolism.

Abstract

Further metabolism studies with Chaulmoogra oil have been undertaken with special reference to sulphur excretion. Estimations were made to find out whether the cyclic pentene nucleus of Chaulmoogric acid is excreted like phenol as the ethereal sulphate, and whether the findings concerning tissue breakdown, acidosis, and suboxidation could be further elucidated.

Rabbits and dogs placed upon standard diets, as previously described, 1 were treated with Chaulmoogra oil and by the ethyl esters of Chaulmoogra. The drugs were administered orally, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, and intravenously. Estimations were made for the urinary excretion of inorganic sulphates and total sulphate's by Folin's method, and total sulphur by Benedict's method. From the results obtained there was calculated the amount of the ethereal sulphate and the amount of neutral sulphur excreted.

It was found that irrespective of the path of administration, large doses of the Chaulmoogrates produce a great temporary increase in the excretion of all forms of sulphur. A rabbit upon a standard diet of 100 grams of cabbage and 80 grams of wheat normally excreting about 6 mg. of ethereal sulphate (SO₃), after receiving 5 CC. of oleum hydnocarpi J. P. by mouth, excreted in three subsequent days 186 mg. During the same time there was a hundred per cent increase in the neutral sulphur, and thirtyeight per cent increase in the inorganic sulphates.

Repeated administration of the drug fails to produce the same result. Amounts less than normal for all of the sulphur compounds excreted are obtained. There is no increase in the ethereal sulpliate excretion. The amount of the neutral sulphur decreases far below normal. A second dose of 5 cc. of oil given in the experiment quoted showed a reduction in the excretion of neutral sulphur to 30 per cent of the normal, on the sixth day.