Tannins: what is it, how are they received and used in medicine?

Tannins - what is it? This article and other issues related to this substance will be devoted to the article presented.

General information

Tannins - what is it? The answer to the question asked is known only by technologists, chemists and pharmacists. After all, this substance (gallodubilnye and tannic acids) is a phenolic compound, which includes a large number of groups -OH. This component is fairly widespread in the vegetable kingdom. It is characterized by tanning properties, as well as an astringent specific taste. Tannins are able to form strong bonds with complex carbohydrates, proteins, and other natural polymers.

Where are they located?

Tannins - what is it? The answer to this question can not be exhaustive without knowledge of exactly where the given substance is located and how it is extracted.

As is known, tannins are found in wood, bark of trees, in leaves, as well as fruits of many plants (sometimes in roots, seeds, tubers). It is also worth noting that a huge amount of these substances are found in chestnut, acacia, spruce, larch, eucalyptus, camellia of Chinese, cocoa, garnets, persimmons, etc. The tart taste and astringent properties that many leaves and fruits possess are created precisely by tannins. Plants that have a sufficiently high content of tannic acid are protected from pathogens, insects and some animals.

How does it look?

So, the answer to the question: "Tannins - what is it?" Received, now it is necessary to proceed to their description. The final product, obtained from plants and trees, is a light yellow powder that dissolves rather well in water, glycerin and alcohol.

Synthetic tannin

Until the middle of the twentieth century, only tannic acids were used in medicine and industry. But in 1950 a cheap way of producing artificial tannin was found. It is worth noting that the synthetic substance has several advantages over natural. First, it can be obtained in its pure form. Secondly, its consistency is more convenient for accurate measurement of the required dose. Thirdly, the production of this artificial substance is much simpler. Also such a tannin, the price of which varies within the limits of 20-30 rubles for 50 mg, has a longer shelf life, and it has no coloring properties.

Application in medicine

To date, only one artificial tannin is known. In the pharmacy, it is sold in the form of powder ("Delaskin"), cream and even bath additives. Its manufacturer is the German pharmaceutical giant Derma-Pharm.

The spectrum of application of this substance in clinical practice is quite wide. It is prescribed for such diseases and conditions as:

• Inflammation of the larynx, mouth and gums;
• Runny nose, cold and laryngitis;
• Burns, sores, soft tissue necrosis and nipple cracking;
• Intoxication with alkaloids (except cocaine, morphine, nicotine, atropine and eserine salicylate);
• diarrhea;
• hemorrhoids;
• Dermatological infections;
• Intoxication with mercury, lead salts and other heavy metals;
• Viral pathologies (papular acrodermatitis, chickenpox, etc.);
• Surgical wounds in urology, gynecology and proctology;
• Cracks in the anus;
• Cutaneous childhood diseases.