Ammonium bituminosulfonate or ammonium bituminosulphonate is a product of
natural origin obtained in the first step by dry distillation of sulfur-rich
oil shale. By sulfonation of the resulting oil and subsequent
neutralization with ammonia Ichthammol results as viscous, water-soluble
substance with characteristic bitumen-like odor. It is used in
medicine as a remedy for treating some skin diseases, including eczema and
psoriasis. It is commonly used in 10% or 20% concentrate ointment form as a
salve. It is sometimes called "black ointment" or "drawing salve". Its
dermatological action was promoted by German physician Paul Gerson Unna.
Composition From elemental analysis, its composition
was calculated to be C28H36S5O6(NH4)2. However, as a product of natural origin,
it is a mixture of many different compounds.
Chemically, it is a sulfonated shale oil that is incompatible with acids, alkali
carbonates or hydrates and alkaloidal salts. It is a thick reddish brown
liquid, possessing a bituminous odor and taste. It is soluble in water and
miscible with glycerin, but is nearly insoluble in strong alcohol or
concentrated ether. It contains a large percentage of organically combined
sulfur. Differentiation from Chinese Materials
Materials made in China and offered outside China as Ichthammol or Ammonium
Bituminosulfonate are not in line with the definition given for this substance
in the United States Pharmacopoeia or European Pharmacopoeia. Also, there is
no conformity with the definition as connected to CAS# 8029-68-3. The Chinese
material is derived from vegetable oils instead of bituminous schists as
required. As a result, its chemical basis is totally different from the one
of Ichthammol USPCAS# 8029-68-3. The characteristic bitumen-like odor is
missing with Chinese material and thereby the original qualities according
to common standards can be identified without doubt.
Usage = Human =
Pharmacologically, Ichthammol has anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, and
fungicidal properties. It is used to treat eczema, psoriasis, Acne rosacea
and acne, and it decreases microorganisms in the area surrounding a
skin condition. It is commonly used in 10% or 20% concentrate ointment, applied
topically. In otology, a mixture of glycerol and
ichthammol is used for the topical treatment of ear infections. It is
effective against Gram-positive organisms. The anti-inflammatory action
is explained by its influence on the formation, secretion, and effect of
inflammation mediators. Ichthammol is recommended by
dermatologists and available in pharmacies for compounding medications.
Different sources of information exist for exemplary formulations. According to
the "list of preferred Specials" by the British Association of Dermatologists
Ichthammol can be used in Dermatology prescribing to treat acutely inflamed
atopic eczema, among others. = Veterinary =
The European Medicines Agency published a summary report on ichthyol-substances
during the course of the European Maximum Residue Limits procedure in
veterinary medicine. The Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use
decided that due to good tolerance and safety, there is no need to establish an
MRL for ichthyol-substances. As a result, ichthyol-substances can be
applied topically in all mammalian food-producing species without
restriction. References
External sources Cholcha W, Leuschner J, Leuschner F.
"[The adverse effects of dark sulfonated shale oil following local and systemic
administration]". Arzneimittelforschung 44: 844–9. PMID 7945520.
Diezel W, Schewe T, Rohde E, Rosenbach T, Czarnetzki BM. "[Ammonium
bituminosulfonate. Anti-inflammatory effect and inhibition of the
5-lipoxygenase enzyme]". Hautarzt 43: 772–4. PMID 1361926.
Nilssen E, Wormald PJ, Oliver S. "Glycerol and Ichthammol: medicinal
solution or mythical potion?". J. Laryngol. Otol. 110: 319–21.
doi:10.1017/s0022215100133547.