Castor Oil in Medicine & Pharmacology

USP / EP / BP Grade Solutions by Nova Industries

Nova Industries supplies a specialized range of Castor Oil and derivatives that meet the rigorous standards of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), European Pharmacopoeia (EP), and British Pharmacopeia (BP).¹

In modern medicine, Castor Oil plays a dual role: it is both a recognized Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) for gastrointestinal and dermatological health, and a critical Pharmaceutical Excipient (Drug Vehicle) used to solubilize life-saving oncology and immunosuppressant drugs.²

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1. Drug Delivery Systems (Excipients)

Many modern “small molecule” drugs are hydrophobic (poorly soluble in water). Without a specialized delivery vehicle, they cannot be injected or absorbed by the body.

Polyoxyl Castor Oils (Solubilizers)

Nova Industries manufactures high-purity Polyoxyl 35 Castor Oil (Equivalent to the industry standard Cremophor® EL).

• Chemistry: Produced by reacting 1 mole of Castor Oil with 35 moles of Ethylene Oxide.³
• Function: It creates stable micelles that encapsulate non-polar drugs, allowing them to be administered via injection or oral solution.

Key Formulations Using Polyoxyl Castor Oil:

• Oncology (Paclitaxel): It is the essential vehicle for Paclitaxel (Taxol), a chemotherapy agent used in treating breast, lung, and ovarian cancers.⁴
• Immunosuppressants (Cyclosporine): Used in Sandimmune (Cyclosporine Injection) to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients.⁵
• Antifungals: Solubilizer for Miconazole and Saperconazole injection formulations.
• HIV Protease Inhibitors: Used to enhance the bioavailability of drugs like Nelfinavir and Saquinavir.⁶

Chemomodulation & MDR Reversal

Beyond simple solubility, Ethoxylated Castor Oil acts as a Bio-enhancer.

• MDR Reversal: Research indicates that Polyoxyl Castor Oil can help inhibit “Multidrug Resistance” (MDR) in cancer cells, potentially increasing the efficacy of chemotherapy agents like Teniposide and Paclitaxel.

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2. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)

Castor Oil and its derivatives are FDA-recognized active agents in specific therapeutic categories.

Gastrointestinal Health (Laxative)

• Status: The US FDA recognizes Castor Oil as Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective (GRASE) for use as a stimulant laxative.⁷
• Mechanism: In the small intestine, it hydrolyzes into Ricinoleic Acid, which activates EP3 prostanoid receptors, stimulating peristalsis.⁸

Dermatological & Antifungal

• Undecylenic Acid: A C-11 derivative of Castor Oil, FDA-approved for OTC treatment of fungal skin infections such as Athlete’s Foot (Tinea pedis), Ringworm, and cutaneous Candidiasis.
• Xenaderm: Castor Oil is a primary ingredient in topical ointments for treating skin ulcers (decubitus ulcers), often combined with Balsam Peru and Trypsin.⁹

Womens Health (Vaginal Acidity)

• Ricinoleic Acid: Used in vaginal gels (such as Aci-Jel) to restore and maintain physiological acidity, preventing bacterial overgrowth.

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3. Traditional & Specialized Uses

While Nova Industries focuses on industrial supply, we acknowledge the historical significance of Castor Oil in obstetrics.

• Labor Induction: Historically, Castor Oil has been used to encourage the onset of labor.¹⁰ The mechanism is believed to be linked to the stimulation of prostaglandin receptors in the uterus and intestines.
  • Note: This application is traditional. Nova Industries supplies the raw material; medical administration should always be under physician supervision.

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4. Nova Industries Pharmaceutical Portfolio

We offer the following grades with full regulatory documentation (COA/MSDS):

Product	Pharmacopoeial Name	Primary Medical Use
Castor Oil USP	Castor Oil, USP	Laxative, Topical Emollient
Polyoxyl 35 Castor Oil	Polyoxyl 35 Castor Oil, NF	Solubilizer (Paclitaxel/Cyclosporine)
Polyoxyl 40 Hydrog. Oil	Polyoxyl 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil	Emulsifier for Topicals
Undecylenic Acid	Undecylenic Acid, USP	Antifungal API
Zinc Undecylenate	Zinc Undecylenate, USP	Antifungal Powder/Cream

For Pharmaceutical Grade Inquiries & Audits:

Nova Industries

Website: https://novaind.in/