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DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide)
Technically speaking, DMSO (CAS# 67-68-5) is a polar, aprotic solvent in addition to being colorless and odorless. Due to its unique qualities, DMSO is very adaptable and helpful in a wide range of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical drug manufacturing and formulation processes.
When and why is DMSO used?
For example, DMSO is less toxic than ethanol and possesses the unique property of penetrating the skin and other membranes without causing harm to them. When one combines the ability to penetrate membranes with the capacity to solubilize API, DMSO becomes a very adaptable drug delivery method. For topical pharmaceutical application in transdermal drug delivery applications, DMSO has been selected. Due to its high boiling point, DMSO’s liquid medicine formulations are stable since they evaporate extremely slowly and don’t have the same skin-cooling impact as other topical liquid formulations that contain alcohol.
One illustration of DMSO’s adaptability is its capacity to dissolve both polar and non-polar medications, making it a universal solvent. As a result, DMSO is helpful in high-throughput screening for drug design and in vitro drug development. It mixes well with both water and a variety of organic solvents. At room temperature, it is liquid, and its boiling point is a rather high 189 °C. However, because of its high freezing point (~18 °C), it is less suitable for purifying procedures like crystallization. It also has a moderate viscosity and a hygroscopic (water-absorbing) tendency.
DMSO’s applications include:
- Cryo-preservation mediums due to its ability to stabilize biological tissues
- Parenteral applications as an excipient and a drug delivery system component
- Processing aid in lyophilization and protein purification
- Excipient in approved drugs
- Versatile solubility enhancer for APIs
A&C’s DMSO
A&C’s Multi-Compendial DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) is highly pure and satisfies all USP/NF, Ph. Eur., and BP monograph requirements. Our DMSO is produced under GMP guidelines and supplied in compliance with EXCiPACT guidelines for pharmaceutical excipients. For optimal quality, A&C’s DMSO excipient is packaged under nitrogen and sold in airtight, light-resistant vials that are ideal for use in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical applications. An affordable substitute for API grade DMSO is A&C’s DMSO.