Pharmaceutical applications of a Pinyon Oleoresin
Creators: name: Duke, Victor H
Publisher: name: University of Utah
Year: 2012
Subjects: Therapeutic Use

description: Pinyon oleoresin has been reported by several layman as having curative effects when used against various ill-defined gastro-intestinal disorders.  It has also been reported that the oleoresin is effective as a "drawing" salve and in promoting healing when applied locally.  Because of the gummy nature of the natural exudates, it was suggested that if acceptable pharmaceutical preparations were made, a potential market might exist for medicaments containing pinyon oleoresin.  The oleoresin for this research was collected from an intermediate variety of pinyon exhibiting morphological characteristics of both Pinus edulis and Pinus monophylla.  Three methods of collection were investigated:  (1) scraping the naturally occurring exudates from the tree, (2) scarifying of chipping the tree and then directing the flow of material with metal gutter into a cup, and (3) by boring into the wood and collecting the oleoresin with a plastic vial fitted into the hole.  Comparisons of the yields indicate that the cup and gutter system produced considerably more oleoresin than the other two systems, and also that the oleoresin could be collected in a relatively pure state.  The most efficient method of removing foreign material was to place the crude oleoresin into a straining device of approximately the same size and shape as the heating vessel.   Upon application to enough heat to liquefy the raw material, the wire mesh straining device could be raised up through the heated oleoresin, thereby removing any undesirable particles.  Analysis of the volatile oil and resin fractions showed the "bore" collection to have the highest percent of volatile oil, and the "scrape" to have the least.  All three oil fraction were clear, colorless to pale straw color, having a pleasant, pinaceous pinyon odor and an acrid, terebinthic taste.  The resins from the "bore" and "chip " samples were lighter in color than the "scrape" resin.  The drop-softening points of the three samples ranged from 55? to 58? C, and the melting points from 65? to 68?C.  Acceptable pharmaceutical preparations for both internal and external use were made utilizing the oleoresin in the formulations  Hydrocarbon and oleaginous base ointments were manufactured.  A cerate was made using the resin in place of rosin in an official formula.  A dental cavity liner was made which seemed to have superior sealing qualities when compared with a standard rosin formula.  Capsules were made by manipulating the oleoresin so it could be inserted into empty gelatin capsules, and by liquefying the oleoresin with peanut oil, thus making it possible to instill the mixture into empty gelatin capsules with a medicine dropper.  A pleasant tasting chocolate preparation was made by forming a primary emulsion with the oleoresin-peanut oil mixture and then adding  the vehicle and flavoring agents to form a syrup.  It is concluded that pinyon oleoresin can be collected and refined in quantity; also, that acceptable pharmaceutical preparations can be formulated for both internal and external administration of the oleoresin.  However, before attempting any large-scale production and marketing, it would seem advisable to submit the oleoresin and its oil and resin fractions to carefully controlled studies regarding not only their therapeutic efficacy, but also the establishment of a pharmacological basis for the activity which has been reported.  In addition, the toxicity of the preparations or their constituents (such as emulsifying agents) should be determined by chronic studies.