GASTRO INTESTINAL AGENT (ACIDIFYING AGENT)

ACIDIFYING AGENT AND RELATED INORGANIC COMPOUND

1. GASTRO INTESTINAL AGENT acidifying agent BY TAUFIK MULLA Asst. Professor Department of Pharmaceutics SPBC college of Pharmacy

2. Introduction Gastrointestinal tract is a one of the organ of body. Git involves in digestion of food, from the ingestion to excretion. Parts of GIT : Esophagus Stomach Intestine Rectum with anus

3. In case, if function of GIT impaired / imbalanced, following condition can take place : Decrease secretion of HCl in stomach leads to Achlorhydria or Hypochlorhydria. Excess secretion of HCl in stomach leads to hyperacidity which cause ulcer, inflammation and pain. Incomplete absorption of food or fluid or electrolyte in intestine cause stimulation of intestinal motility which leads to diarrhea or frequent stool. Insufficient intestine motility cause constipation. Inadequate secretion of saliva cause difficulty in swallowing food.

4. To overcome this GIT related problems / disease various agents are used as follows : Classification of gastro intestinal agent – Acidifying agent e.g. – Hydrochloric acid , Ammonium Chloride Antacid e.g. – Sodium bicarbonate , Aluminum hydroxide gel Saline cathartics e.g. – magnesium Sulphate , Kaolin , Bentonite Antimicrobial e.g. – KMnO4 , Hydrogen peroxide , Chlorinated lime

5. ACIDIFYING AGENT In digestion of food, important constituent of gastric juice is PEPSIN enzyme and HCl. Small quantity of gastric juice present in stomach when it doesn’t contain food, this state called as fasting juice. Pepsin effective in acidic environment pH below 3.5. Pepsin inactive if pH is high. HCl secreted by stomach wall (parietal cell of stomach). Kill bacteria in ingested food/drink, make fibrous food soften and help in secretion of PEPSIN enzyme. Pepsinogen convert in pepsin when pH is below 6.

6. ACIDIFYING AGENT Acidifying agent are used in a condition when there is absence or insufficient secretion of Hydrochloric acid in stomach which leads to a disease called as Achlorhydria or Hypochlorhydria. HCl secretion is in control of acetylcholine, histamine and gastrin. Gastric acid secretion is governed by histamine receptor, muscarinic receptor and gastrin receptor. Chemical agent which used as acidifying agent are :- Ammonium chloride Hydrochloric acid

7. Acidifying agent are classified as :- Gastric acidifier – drug which used to restore acidity of stomach in patient suffering from achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria. Urinary acidifier – drug used to retain acidity of urine to enable treatment of some of urinary tract disorder. Systemic acidifier – drug used to neutralize alkaline body fluid. Acid – drug used as pharmaceutical aid in preparation, laboratory , quality control etc.

8. Ammonium chloride Chemical formula – NH4Cl Molecular weight – 53.49 Synonym – ammonium muriate / salmiac / amchlor Properties – Color - white fine crystalline powder Odour – odorless Taste – cooling saline taste Solubility – soluble in water , slightly soluble in alcohol.

9. Method of preparation – it is prepared by neutralizing HCl with ammonia. NH3 + HCl NH4CL Assay – Assay done by acid base type of titration. The neutral formaldehyde solution is added. So ammonium chloride will be converted in methenamine and hydrochloric acid. The liberated acid is titrated with 0.1N NaOH using phenolphthalein indicator.

10. Uses – Used as systemic acidifier. It used as expectorant Is used as a diuretics.

11. HYDROCHLORIC ACID Chemical formula – HCl Molecular weight – 36.5 Synonym – muriatic acid / spirit of salt Properties – Color - colorless clear fuming liquid Odour – pungent odor Solubility – soluble in water , alcohol.

12. Method of preparation – it is prepared by action of sulphuric acid on sodium chloride. H2SO4 + 2NaCl Na2SO4 + HCl Uses – It used as pharmaceutical aid. It is used as acidifying agent. It also used as solvent. It used as catalyst in basic pharmaceuticals.