| Size | Price | Stock | Qty |
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| 10g |
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| Other Sizes |
| Targets |
Biochemical; tree resin
Gum guaiac's primary biological target is the peroxidase enzyme family, as the resin contains α-guaiaconic acid, which functions as a chromogenic substrate for peroxidases. In diagnostic applications, the resin is used as a reagent for identifying hemoglobin through its peroxidase activity. The phenolic compounds in the resin also exhibit antioxidant properties. As a natural product, gum guaiac may interact with various biological targets through its multiple phenolic constituents. The resin has been used traditionally as a preservative in edible fats and oils, as a natural flavoring and antioxidant in foods, and as a fragrance and fixative in perfumes. |
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| ln Vitro |
Gum guaiac, a tree resin, serves as a natural source of 2,5-di-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethylfuran, commonly known as α-guaiaconic acid. This phenolic compound functions as a chromogenic substrate for peroxidases. In the presence of oxidizing agents—whether organic or inorganic—α-guaiaconic acid undergoes oxidation, forming a blue-colored quinone. This property enables gum guaiac to trigger a reaction capable of detecting trace amounts of heme from hemoglobin when peroxide is present. Additionally, when prepared as a 67% w/v solution in 96% ethanol, gum guaiac is used in the Nobles test to assess the production of extracellular oxidases.
In vitro activity of gum guaiac is primarily demonstrated through its peroxidase substrate properties. α-Guaiaconic acid, the active component of the resin, serves as a chromogenic substrate for peroxidase enzymes, producing a colored product upon oxidation. This property is utilized in diagnostic assays for the detection of hemoglobin and other peroxidases. The resin's antioxidant activity has also been demonstrated in vitro, contributing to its use as a preservative in edible fats and oils. The phenolic compounds in the resin can scavenge free radicals and inhibit oxidative processes. In biochemical research, gum guaiac is used as a reagent for various colorimetric assays. |
| ln Vivo |
In vivo activity of gum guaiac has been studied primarily in the context of its traditional uses and safety assessment. The resin has been used as a preservative in foods and as a natural flavoring agent. Its antioxidant properties observed in vitro may contribute to in vivo effects such as protection against oxidative stress. However, comprehensive in vivo pharmacological studies are limited. The resin's safety has been evaluated for food additive applications. As a crude natural product containing multiple phenolic compounds, its in vivo effects would be complex and dependent on the specific constituents and their bioavailability.
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| Enzyme Assay |
In vitro enzyme assays using gum guaiac typically involve peroxidase activity measurements. The resin, or its purified α-guaiaconic acid component, is used as a chromogenic substrate in peroxidase assays. A typical protocol involves mixing the substrate with hydrogen peroxide and the peroxidase enzyme in an appropriate buffer system (e.g., phosphate buffer, pH 6.0–7.0). The reaction produces a colored product that can be monitored spectrophotometrically at a specific wavelength (e.g., 470 nm). The assay is used for detecting peroxidase activity in biological samples or for measuring the activity of peroxidase enzymes. Controls include reactions without enzyme or without substrate.
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| Cell Assay |
Cell-based in vitro experiments with gum guaiac are not typically performed, as the resin is primarily used as a diagnostic reagent and food additive rather than as a cell-based therapeutic agent. When used in cell biology research, the resin's components might be tested for antioxidant or cytotoxic effects on cultured cell lines. Standard cell culture protocols would involve seeding cells in appropriate media at 37°C in a 5% CO₂ atmosphere, treating with the resin or its extracts at various concentrations, and assessing cell viability or oxidative stress markers using assays such as MTT, DCFH-DA, or other appropriate methods. The resin's complex composition and limited solubility in aqueous media should be considered.
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| Animal Protocol |
In vivo animal studies for gum guaiac are limited, as the resin is primarily used as a food additive and diagnostic reagent rather than as a therapeutic agent. Toxicological studies have been conducted for safety assessment, with oral LD50 values reported in rats. For traditional use evaluations, animals might be administered the resin via oral gavage at various dose levels, with assessment of general toxicity, organ histopathology, and clinical chemistry parameters. All animal studies must be conducted in accordance with institutional guidelines. The resin's use as a preservative in edible fats and oils suggests that oral administration would be the relevant route for safety assessments.
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| ADME/Pharmacokinetics |
Pharmacokinetic properties of gum guaiac are not well characterized due to its complex composition as a crude natural resin. The resin contains multiple phenolic compounds including alpha- and beta-guaiaconic acids, guaiaretic acid, and guaiac beta-resin. These compounds would have varying absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion profiles. The resin is insoluble in water, suggesting limited aqueous solubility for its components. The phenolic compounds would be expected to undergo metabolism via conjugation reactions such as glucuronidation and sulfation. However, detailed pharmacokinetic studies have not been reported for the crude resin. The resin has a melting point of 85–90°C.
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| Toxicity/Toxicokinetics |
Toxicological data for gum guaiac include an oral LD50 value in rats. The resin has been evaluated for safety as a food additive and preservative in edible fats and oils at concentrations up to 0.1%. It is also used as a natural flavoring and antioxidant in foods. The resin may cause irritation upon contact with skin or mucous membranes. As a natural product containing multiple phenolic compounds, it may have potential for sensitization in susceptible individuals. Standard safety precautions should be followed when handling the resin, including the use of appropriate personal protective equipment. In case of accidental ingestion or exposure, medical attention should be sought.
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| References |
[1]. Horseradish peroxidase: a modern view of a classic enzyme. Phytochemistry. 2004 Feb;65(3):249-59.
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| Additional Infomation |
Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is a significant heme-containing enzyme that has been the subject of scientific inquiry for over a century. In recent years, substantial advancements have been made in understanding its three-dimensional structure, catalytic intermediates, reaction mechanisms, and the functional roles of specific amino acid residues. Techniques such as site-directed mutagenesis and directed evolution are now commonly employed to investigate HRP structure and function, enabling the development of engineered variants with practical applications in natural product synthesis, fine chemical production, medical diagnostics, and bioremediation. The combination of HRP with indole-3-acetic acid or its derivatives is currently under investigation as a potential strategy for targeted cancer therapies. While the molecular basis of HRP’s physiological roles—including its involvement in indole-3-acetic acid metabolism, cross-linking of biological polymers, and lignification—is becoming increasingly clear, the specific contributions of individual HRP isoenzymes to these processes remain poorly defined. Future progress in this area is expected to benefit from the recent identification and characterization of the complete peroxidase gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana.
[1]
Gum guaiac is a natural resin obtained from Guaiacum trees, used historically and currently for multiple applications. It serves as a natural source of α-guaiaconic acid, a chromogenic substrate for peroxidases used in diagnostic assays for hemoglobin detection. The resin is also used as a preservative in edible fats and oils (at 0.1%), a natural flavoring and antioxidant in foods, a fragrance and fixative in perfumes, and a varnish additive. The resin consists of approximately 70% guaiaconic acids, 10% guaiaretic acid, and 15% guaiac beta-resin. No clinical trials or regulatory approvals as a pharmaceutical drug have been documented. The resin is commercially available as a research-grade chemical with purity ≥98%, supplied for laboratory and industrial applications. |
| Exact Mass |
338.115
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|---|---|
| CAS # |
9000-29-7
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| PubChem CID |
119026203
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| Appearance |
Typically exists as solid at room temperature
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| Melting Point |
85 °C (dec.)(lit.)
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| SMILES |
CC\\1=C(/C(=C/2\\C=CC(=O)C(=C2)OC)/O/C1=C/3\\C=CC(=O)C(=C3)OC)C
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| Synonyms |
Guaiacum Blue; Furoguaiacin Blue; QS5C7E9070; 2,5-Cyclohexadien-1-one, 4,4'-(3,4-dimethyl-2,5-furandiylidene)bis(2-methoxy-; ...; 9000-29-7
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| HS Tariff Code |
2934.99.9001
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| Storage |
Powder -20°C 3 years 4°C 2 years In solvent -80°C 6 months -20°C 1 month |
| Shipping Condition |
Room temperature (This product is stable at ambient temperature for a few days during ordinary shipping and time spent in Customs)
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| Solubility (In Vitro) |
May dissolve in DMSO (in most cases), if not, try other solvents such as H2O, Ethanol, or DMF with a minute amount of products to avoid loss of samples
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| Solubility (In Vivo) |
Note: Listed below are some common formulations that may be used to formulate products with low water solubility (e.g. < 1 mg/mL), you may test these formulations using a minute amount of products to avoid loss of samples.
Injection Formulations
Injection Formulation 1: DMSO : Tween 80： Saline = 10 : 5 : 85 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO stock solution → 50 μL Tween 80 → 850 μL Saline)(e.g. IP/IV/IM/SC) *Preparation of saline: Dissolve 0.9 g of sodium chloride in 100 mL ddH ₂ O to obtain a clear solution. Injection Formulation 2: DMSO : PEG300 ：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline) Injection Formulation 3: DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL Corn oil) Example: Take the Injection Formulation 3 (DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90) as an example, if 1 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can take 100 μL 25 mg/mL DMSO stock solution and add to 900 μL corn oil, mix well to obtain a clear or suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals). View More
Injection Formulation 4: DMSO : 20% SBE-β-CD in saline = 10 : 90 [i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL (20% SBE-β-CD in saline)] Oral Formulations
Oral Formulation 1: Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na (carboxymethylcellulose sodium) Oral Formulation 2: Suspend in 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose Example: Take the Oral Formulation 1 (Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na) as an example, if 100 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can first prepare 0.5% CMC Na solution by measuring 0.5 g CMC Na and dissolve it in 100 mL ddH2O to obtain a clear solution; then add 250 mg of the product to 100 mL 0.5% CMC Na solution, to make the suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals). View More
Oral Formulation 3: Dissolved in PEG400 (Please use freshly prepared in vivo formulations for optimal results.) |
Calculation results
Working concentration： mg/mL；
Method for preparing DMSO stock solution： mg drug pre-dissolved in μL DMSO (stock solution concentration mg/mL). Please contact us first if the concentration exceeds the DMSO solubility of the batch of drug.
Method for preparing in vivo formulation:：Take μL DMSO stock solution, next add μL PEG300, mix and clarify, next addμL Tween 80, mix and clarify, next add μL ddH2O，mix and clarify.
(1) Please be sure that the solution is clear before the addition of next solvent. Dissolution methods like vortex, ultrasound or warming and heat may be used to aid dissolving.
(2) Be sure to add the solvent(s) in order.
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