Allantoin

Absorption

In studies on human subjects, a recovery of 19% and 34% of allantoin in the urine was observed but only in two individuals and only after the administration of massive doses of allantoin . After intravenous administration, recovery in the urine was practically quantitative with doses of 75 to 600 mgm in the human model . After 240 mgm, excretion continued for 72 hours in human subjects and the results were similar in regards to subcutaneous injection .

Toxicity

No studies on repeated dose toxicity and reproductive toxicity have been submitted. Moreover, studies show that the tumor incidence in allantoin treated animals did not differ largely from that found in untreated controls. As a result, further or additional toxicity, mutagenicity, or carcinogenicity tests are not required in view of the endogenous nature of allantoin and the general lack of overall toxicity .
Finally, as allantoin is a normal component of the diet in humans and is a substance of endogenous origin present in the body of humans, it is generally recognized as being a safe substance for humans .

Description

Allantoin is a product of purine and uric acid metabolism. It is formed through oxidation of uric acid by urate oxidase in most mammals but is formed only through non-enzymatic oxidation by free radicals in humans. Urinary levels of allantoin are increased prior to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms in mice expressing mutations in amyloid precursor protein and tau (APP/tau) but not during the early/middle stage of the disease, indicating its potential use as a biomarker for predicting Alzheimer’s disease onset. Due to the formation of allantoin by free radicals in humans, increased urinary levels are a potential biomarker for oxidative stress status.

Chemical properties

White Solid

Originator

Allantoin ,Arocor Holdings Inc.

The Uses of Allantoin

allantoin is a botanical extract said to be healing, calming, and soothing, it can also help protect the skin from harmful external factors (e.g., wind burn). It is considered an excellent temporary anti-irritant and is believed to stimulate new tissue growth, helping heal damaged skin. Allantoin is appropriate for sensitive, irritated, and acne skins. Derived from the comfrey root, it is considered non-allergenic.

The Uses of Allantoin

Vulnerary; debriding agent. Purine metabolite via the uric acid pathway.

The Uses of Allantoin

wound healing agent

The Uses of Allantoin

diuretic

Background

Allantoin is an endogenous substance in the human body and is also a normal component of human diets. It could be used in clinical practice to treatpeptic ulcers, acne, skin ulcers, and inflammation. In healthy human volunteers, the mean plasma concentration of allantoin is about 2-3 mg/l. During exercise, the plasma allantoin concentration rapidly increases twofold and remains elevated. In human muscle, urate is oxidized to allantoin during such exercise. The concentration of allantoin in muscles increases from a resting value of about 5000 ug/kg to about 16000 ug/kg immediately after short-term exhaustive cycling exercise. More specifically, allantoin is a diureide of glyoxylic acid produced from uric acid. It is a major metabolic intermediate in most organisms. Allantoin is found in OTC cosmetic products and other commercial products such as oral hygiene products, shampoos, lipsticks, anti-acne products, sun care products, and clarifying lotions. Allantoin has also been demonstrated to ameliorate the wound-healing process in some studies.

Indications

Allantoin is commonly applied in a variety of topical vehicles or applications such as cosmetic creams, toothpastes, mouthwashes, shampoos, lipsticks, anti-acne products, and lotions for the purpose of moisturizing skin, enhancing the smoothness of skin, stimulating the healing of wounds, and soothing irritated skin .

Definition

ChEBI: An imidazolidine-2,4-dione that is 5-aminohydantoin in which a carbamoyl group is attached to the exocyclic nitrogen.

Manufacturing Process

To a mixture of 13.14 kg 40% solution of glyoxal in water and a solution of 0.5 L of concentrated HCl in 3 L of water was added 1.8 g Co(NO3)2·6H2O. The mixture was heated at 50-60°C, to the solution was added 20 g of sodium nitrite and then at 40-60°C was added dropwise the mixture of 6 L of concentrated HNO3, 4.2 L of water and 30 g of sodium nitrite. The product obtained was mixed with 2.4 kg ammonium sulfate and filtrated. The filtrate was heated with 14.5 kg urea at 70°C for 10 hours. Allantoin was filtrated and recrystallized from the water; M.P. 233-235°C.

Therapeutic Function

Vulnerary, Antiulcer (topical), Antipsoriatic

General Description

Allantoin, the final catabolic product of purines in mammals, is a highly polar and amphoteric substance. Allantoin is mainly used for skin protection as the drug promotes cell proliferation and wound healing.
Pharmaceutical secondary standards for application in quality control, provide pharma laboratories and manufacturers with a convenient and cost-effective alternative to the preparation of in-house working standards.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Biochem/physiol Actions

Purine metabolite via the uric acid pathway. Uric acid also reacts with free radicals to produce allantoin, thus allantoin may be a useful biomarker for oxidative stress.

Metabolism

Uricase is the enzyme that possesses the functionality to convert uric acid to allantoin. Considering humans do not possess any endogenous uricase, uric acid is the only final breakdown product in the purine degradation of unwanted waste product purine nucleotides . The presence of allantoin in human urine is subsequently the result of non-enzymatic processes on uric acid with reactive oxygen species . Such non-enzymatic processes are consequently potentially suitable biomarkers for measuring oxidative stress in chronic illnesses and aging . Furthermore, as allantoin is found endogenously and is part of basic, natural metabolic pathways, no accumulation is expected of it . Additionally, allantoin is not believed to be metabolized to a measurable extent in humans and animals .

Side Effects

Skin itching, Mild skin irritation, Skin redness, and Burning Soreness.

Purification Methods

It crystallises from water or EtOH [Hartman et al. Org Synth Coll Vol II 21 1943]. [Beilstein 25 III/IV 4071.]