BACKGROUND: This study examines the potential efficacy of hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid in the dissolution of mucinous ascites from pseudomyxoma peritonei. METHODS: The mucolytic action of both ascorbic acid (0%-0.2%) and hydrogen peroxide (0%-3%) are investigated as single agent on mucin samples derived from patient. This was followed by examining the joint action of ascorbic acid (0.2%) and hydrogen peroxide (0%-3.0%) on mucin. To lower the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the mixture, the action of equal concentration of ascorbic acid/hydrogen peroxide ranging from 0%-0.3% are then examined. Finally, the pH (4.5-7.0) effect on mucolytic properties of equal concentration (0.2%) of ascorbic acid/hydrogen peroxide was studied. RESULTS: At the concentrations examined (0%-0.2%), ascorbic acid showed highest mucolytic activity at 0.2%. Similarly, hydrogen peroxide as a single agent (0%-3.0%) showed highest mucolytic activity at 3.0%. The mucolytic action of hydrogen peroxide (0%-3.0%) containing 0.2% ascorbic acid demonstrated synergistic effects. At equal concentration of the two agents, ranging from 0%-0.5%, maximal mucolytic action was observed at 0.2%. The mucolytic property of the final mixture (0.2% ascorbic acid/0.2% hydrogen peroxide) was pH-dependent and showed maximal degradation at pH 4.5 and declined as it reached towards neutral pH. CONCLUSION: The current study introduces the potential applicability of a formulation that holds promise as a mucolytic agent in patients with mucinous ascites from pseudomyxoma peritonei.
BACKGROUND: This study examines the potential efficacy of hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid in the dissolution of mucinous ascites from pseudomyxoma peritonei. METHODS: The mucolytic action of both ascorbic acid (0%-0.2%) and hydrogen peroxide (0%-3%) are investigated as single agent on mucin samples derived from patient. This was followed by examining the joint action of ascorbic acid (0.2%) and hydrogen peroxide (0%-3.0%) on mucin. To lower the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the mixture, the action of equal concentration of ascorbic acid/hydrogen peroxide ranging from 0%-0.3% are then examined. Finally, the pH (4.5-7.0) effect on mucolytic properties of equal concentration (0.2%) of ascorbic acid/hydrogen peroxide was studied. RESULTS: At the concentrations examined (0%-0.2%), ascorbic acid showed highest mucolytic activity at 0.2%. Similarly, hydrogen peroxide as a single agent (0%-3.0%) showed highest mucolytic activity at 3.0%. The mucolytic action of hydrogen peroxide (0%-3.0%) containing 0.2% ascorbic acid demonstrated synergistic effects. At equal concentration of the two agents, ranging from 0%-0.5%, maximal mucolytic action was observed at 0.2%. The mucolytic property of the final mixture (0.2% ascorbic acid/0.2% hydrogen peroxide) was pH-dependent and showed maximal degradation at pH 4.5 and declined as it reached towards neutral pH. CONCLUSION: The current study introduces the potential applicability of a formulation that holds promise as a mucolytic agent in patients with mucinous ascites from pseudomyxoma peritonei.