Clinical Drug Experience Knowledgebase

Rosin is a natural product derived from pine trees and consists of a complex mixture of mutually soluble organic compounds. Rosin (colophony) is composed of approximately 70% resin acids. Rosins are produced commercially by one of the following three methods: (1) solvent extraction of aged and ground pine stumps (wood rosin), (2) extraction of crude tall oil as a byproduct of the Kraft pulping process for making paper followed by acidification and fractional distillation (tall oil rosin) and, (3) tapping the living tree to collect oleoresin followed by distillation to yield turpentine and a resinous substance (gum rosin). Because, gum, tall oil and wood rosins are obtained from pine trees, they are similar in composition. Rosin and its derivatives also exhibit wide ranging pharmaceutical applications. Rosin derivatives show excellent film forming and coating properties. They are also used for tablet film and enteric coating purpose. Rosins have also been used to formulate microcapsules and nanoparticles. Glycerol, sorbitol, and mannitol esters of rosin are used as chewing gum bases for medicinal applications. The degradation and biocompatibility of rosin and rosin-based biomaterials has been examined in vitro and in vivo. Rosin Gum is an important raw material for the manufacture of soap, paper, paint, and rubber; intermediate material for synthetic organic chemicals. Rosin in Rhodiola rosea L. preparations can effect the central nervous system by increasing the ability to concentrate, the mental and physical power; they are efficient in the asthenic states and improve general resistance of the cells and the organism against the harmful outer influence. They also prevent the heart system from stress and arrhythmias, and posses some antioxidant activity. Some data confirm that the Rhodiola rosea L. preparations stop the growth of the malignant tumors and metastases in the liver.   ^NCATS