title: Mucolysis by ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide on compact mucin secreted in pseudomyxoma peritonei.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Hepatobiliary and Surgical Oncology Unit, University of New South Wales, St. George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Krishna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.forename: Javed
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Akhter
authors.forename: Terence C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005100:Expectorants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009077:Mucins / Q000187:drug effects; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011553:Pseudomyxoma Peritonei / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D005100:Expectorants; D009077:Mucins; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D001205:Ascorbic Acid