Du Mez—The Galenical Oleoresins. 
1097 
impart to it the properties of a simple bitter. 1 The somewhat 
general belief that the oleoresin is a mild sedative does not ap¬ 
pear to be well founded and is probably based on the doubtful 
report that hops contain an alkaloid (hopeine) resembling 
morphine in physiological action. 2 
Physical Properties 
Color: When spread out in a thin layer on a white porce¬ 
lain surface, the color of the oleoresin was observed to be a 
dark brown resembling very much that of the oleoresin of gin¬ 
ger. 
Odor: The preparation when made with acetone or ether 
has the peculiar odor of lupulin. The odor of the commercial 
product, however, is often quite different. In some cases it is 
disagreeable and resembles valeric acid, 3 while in other cases 
it is pleasant and suggests the presence of the ethyl esters of 
the lower fatty acids. 4 
Taste: The taste is bitter and somewhat aromatic resembling 
that of lupulin. 
Consistence: The oleoresin, when prepared according to the 
directions of the United States Pharmacopoeia of 1900 is of the 
consistence of a very soft extract. On standing in partially 
filled containers, it becomes firmer as a result of the conversion 
of a part of the soft resin into hard resin. 
Solubility: The official preparation is freely soluble in alco¬ 
hol (95 per cent.), acetone, ether, chloroform and glacial acetic 
acid. It is partially soluble in petroleum ether, the extent of 
its solubility depending on the age of the oleoresin (if stored 
in partially filled containers) or on the age of the drug from 
which the latter is prepared. 5 6 It is also slightly soluble in 
hot water to which it imparts a bitter taste. 
1 Potter, Mat. Med., Pharm. & Therap. (1903), p. 339. 
a Pharm. Ztg. (1885), 30, p. 620. 
8 This is due to the use of old deteriorated drug in the preparation of the 
oleoresin or to the storing of the latter under improper conditions. See under 
“Drug used, its collection, preparation, etc.” 
4 The agreeable fruity odor sometimes noticed is thought to be due to the 
presence of ethyl esters of the lower fatty acids formed as a result of the 
extraction of old deterioratd drug with alcohol. 
6 On aging under ordinary conditions, the soft resin present in the drug or 
oleoresin is converted, in part, into hard resin. As only the former is soluble 
in petroleum ether, old oleoresins, or those prepared from old drug, are 
usually less soluble in this solvent than the preparations freshly made from 
unaltered drug. See under “Drug used, its collection, preservation, etc.” 
