English Salt: mechanism of action and application

Magnesium can enter the human body in the form of salts (magnesium oxalate) or chelates (chlorophyll, phytin). The absorption of this mineral occurs in the ionized state in the duodenum. A significant amount of mineral in the human body is concentrated in the teeth, bones and skeletal muscles. It should be noted that magnesium is an intracellular ion.

When hypomagnesemia, the activity of magnesium-dependent enzymes decreases, the metabolism of carbohydrates and phosphorus is inhibited. Clinically, it can manifest itself in the form of an expansion of the peripheral blood vessels, acceleration of the pulse, hyperemia of the mucous membranes, dysfunction of the cardiac activity.

The exchange of magnesium is closely related to the level of calcium and phosphorus in the body, and its pharmacodynamics depends on the ways of administration of magnesium preparations. With parenteral administration in small doses, magnesium ions regulate acid-base balance and osmotic pressure of intracellular and extracellular fluids. It takes part in oxidation-reduction reactions, enhances the reactivity of the neuromuscular system. This macroelement is an integral component of many enzymes, provides cellular respiration, regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins. The maximum doses of magnesium inhibit the reactivity of neurons and show a sedative or narcotic effect. A magnesium antagonist is calcium. The latter displaces magnesium ions from nerve cells, calcium eliminates the narcotic effect of magnesium.

English salt was first synthesized by the English botanist N. Grew in 1695. A little later (1710) it began to get from sea water. Magnesium sulphate under natural conditions occurs in the form of various minerals. There is a lot of this mineral in the Caucasus, Siberia and the Kuban. The English salt is usually obtained from magnesite. Very often magnesium sulphate is found in the brines of the salt as an impurity. A particularly high concentration was found in the waters of the Caspian Sea. In the process of dissolution of magnesium oxide in sulfate acid , magnesium sulfate is obtained. Purification of the resulting salt is carried out by recrystallization.

Magnesium sulfate salts are colorless crystals of prismatic shape, bitter-saline in taste, readily soluble in water. The English salt contains 35% of the water of crystallization, which evaporates very quickly during the heating process. Solutions have a neutral reaction, thermostable. The form of the drug is 25% solution or powder.

English Salt: mechanism of action

Salts (magnesium sulfate) are poorly absorbed, adsorbed and retained on their surface water. The result of this pharmacodynamics is a laxative effect. This drug stronger than sodium sulfate irritates the mucous membranes and causes hyperemia of the intestine. Partly absorbed, magnesium sulfate affects the liver and acts cholerally. When parenteral administration of the English salt has a calming (sedative) effect on the central nervous system, and in large doses causes sleep or anesthesia. The action of magnesium sulfate is removed by the administration of calcium preparations. Calcium ions displace magnesium ions from the cells, thus neutralizing their narcotic effect.

English Salt: Application

When using the drug inside in small doses digestion improves, the outflow of bile is activated. In large doses, the English salt causes diarrhea. Magnesium sulfate is used as a choleretic agent for spasms of the walls of the bile ducts. Enteral administration (15-25 g) shows a laxative effect, with parenteral (under the skin in a dose of 10 ml 5-20% solution twice a day) - a narcotic effect. English salt can also be used externally in purulent processes (abscess, phlegmon, wet ulcer, infected wounds). To do this, use hypertensive solutions with a concentration of 15-25%.