Fluidextractum Colchici Seminis. U. S. Fluidextract of Colchicum Seed.
Fldext. Colch. Sem.
Related entries: Colchicum
"One hundred mils of Fluidextract of Colchicum Seed yields not less than 0.36 Gm. nor more than 0.44 Gm. of colchicine." U. S.
Extrait liquide do Semences de Colchique, Fr.; Flüssiges Zeitlosensamenextrakt, G.
"Colchicum Seed, in No. 40 powder, one thousand grammes [or 35 ounces av., 120 grains]; Purified Petroleum Benzin, a sufficient quantity. Pack the colchicum seed in a cylindrical percolator and slowly percolate with purified petroleum benzin until a few drops of the percolate leave no greasy stain when evaporated on a piece of filter paper. Reject the benzin solution, remove the powder from the percolator and dry it by exposure to the air. Then proceed to make the Fluidextract by Type Process A, using a mixture of two volumes of alcohol and one volume of water as the menstruum. After dissolving the soft extract in the reserve liquid, assay a portion as directed below, and, from the result thus obtained, ascertain by calculation the amount of alkaloids in the remainder of the liquid, and dilute this with enough menstruum to make each one hundred mils of the finished Fluidextract contain 0.4 Gm. of colchicine." U. S.
"Assay of Fluidextract of Colchicum Seed.—Introduce 15 mils of Fluidextract of Colchicum Seed into a 500 mil flask, add 10 mils of solution of lead subacetate, previously diluted with 35 mils of distilled water, shake the mixture thoroughly, then add 240 mils of distilled water, again agitate the mixture and proceed as directed under Colchici Semen." U. S.
The use of glycerin in the former U. S. fluidex-traet was objectionable, as the fixed oil contained in the seeds was always thrown out of solution, and was usually found floating on the fluidextract, rendering the preparation unsightly. The present formula, U. S. P. IX, is an improvement, as the fixed oil is removed by the benzin treatment. L. I. Morris (A. J. P., 1881, 7) believes that it is unnecessary to grind the colchicum seeds, and that if the whole seeds are digested with diluted alcohol at 80° C. (176° F.) the colchicine is easily extracted.
Dose, two to eight minims (0.12-0.5 mil).
Off. Prep.—Vinum Colchici Seminis. N. F.
