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The Chemical Constituents of Piper Methysticum / Or, The Chemical Constituents of the Active Principle of the Ava Root cover

The Chemical Constituents of Piper Methysticum / Or, The Chemical Constituents of the Active Principle of the Ava Root

Chapter 8: THE TOTAL RESINS.
By Alice A. Ball
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About This Book

The thesis presents a systematic chemical investigation of the active principles of the ava root (Piper methysticum), beginning with historical uses and continuing through detailed laboratory methods for extraction and resin separation. It identifies distinct resin fractions and characterizes their metallic salts, oxidation products, and associated acidic components, and isolates neutral crystalline methysticin and related methysticinic acid. Analytical sections examine alcohol radicals and oxidative transformations, and a physiological chapter summarizes observed pharmacological effects. The conclusion synthesizes chemical findings and their relation to the root's narcotic and toxic properties.

THE TOTAL RESINS.

The total resins were brown in color, thick syrupy consistency and possessed the characteristic odor of the drug.

A molecular weight determination was made in the same manner as with the Barium acids, and the following data obtained.

Wt. of pipette before 18.7660
Wt. of pipette after 14.7160
Wt. of resin used 4.0500
Temperature before 3.52
Temperature after 3.71
Change in temperature .18
Volume 37 cc.
Constant for solvent 3280
Approximate molecular weight 2000

Combustions were made and the following data obtained.

Wt. of boat 3.4722 3.4720
Wt. of boat and resin 3.6355 3.6220
Wt. of resin .1633 .1500
Sulphuric acid tube 79.1051 79.3865
Tube plus water 79.2073 79.4770
Water .1022 .0905
Hydrogen equivalent .01136 .01006
KOH bulb 49.4316 50.8720
Bulb plus carbon dioxide 49.8350 51.2430
Carbon dioxide .4034 .3710
Carbon equivalent .12102 .1010
Percent Carbon 67.31% 67.3
Percent Hydrogen 6.9 % 6.7
Percent Oxygen 26.8 % 27.0

The total resins when placed on the end of the tongue produced a marked stinging sensation followed by a local anaesthesia. After the first stinging was produced the sensation was rather pleasant. The local anaesthesia persisted a long time, giving a sensation much the same as that produced by cocaine. The barium and iron acids also produced this local anaesthesia, but the initial stinging sensation was much more pronounced, which was probably due to the acid nature of the substance.