Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride: Versatile Antibiotic with Broad-Spectrum Applications in Medicine and Industry

Overview of Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride

Oxytetracycline hydrochloride (C22H25ClN2O9) is an organic compound. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic derived from the bacterium Streptomyces rimosus. Oxytetracycline hydrochloride is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections in both humans and animals, including respiratory, urinary, and skin infections. It works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, thereby preventing bacteria from growing and multiplying.

Oxytetracycline hydrochloride is commonly used in veterinary medicine to treat infections in livestock and pets, including poultry, cattle, and dogs. It is also used in aquaculture to control infections in fish. In agriculture, it helps protect crops from bacterial diseases. This antibiotic is particularly valuable for controlling diseases caused by susceptible bacteria, offering a cost-effective solution for managing infections.

Oxytetracycline hydrochloride should be stored in a cool, dry place away from light to maintain its stability. When handling the compound, it is important to follow safety guidelines to avoid inhalation or contact with skin and eyes. Protective equipment such as gloves and goggles should be worn to prevent exposure, especially when handling concentrated forms of the antibiotic.

Figure 1 Characteristics of Oxytetracycline hydrochloride

Usage

Oxytetracycline hydrochloride is a salt prepared from oxytetracycline taking advantage of the basic dimethylamino group which protonates readily to form the salt in hydrochloric acid solutions. Hydrochloride is the preferred formulation for pharmaceutical applications. Like all tetracyclines, oxytetracycline shows broad-spectrum antibacterial and antiprotozoan activity and acts by binding to the 30S and 50S ribosomal sub-units, blocking protein synthesis.

Oxytetracycline hydrochloride is often added to eye drops. Eye drops are medications used to treat eye infections and inflammation. Due to its excellent antibacterial activity, Oxytetracycline hydrochloride is widely used in ophthalmology. Oxytetracycline hydrochloride eye drops can treat conditions such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, and eye infections by inhibiting the growth and reproduction of bacteria.

Secondly, Oxytetracycline hydrochloride can also be added to oral medications. Oral medications are a common route for treating internal infections and inflammation. When Oxytetracycline hydrochloride is added to oral medications, it can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the digestive system and exert antibacterial effects throughout the body. Oxytetracycline hydrochloride oral medications are commonly used to treat respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections.

Additionally, Oxytetracycline hydrochloride can be added to topical medications such as ointments and creams. Topical medications are typically applied directly to the skin surface to treat skin infections and inflammation. Oxytetracycline hydrochloride topical medications can be used to treat conditions like wound infections, burn infections, and eczema by inhibiting the growth and spread of bacteria.

In vitro research

Oxytetracycline hydrochloride is an important member of the bacterial aromatic polyketide family, which is a structurally diverse class of natural products. Oxytetracycline hydrochloride is synthesized by a type II polyketide synthase that generates the poly-beta-ketone backbone through successive decarboxylative condensation of malonyl-CoA extender units, followed by modifications by cyclases, oxygenases, transferases, and additional tailoring enzymes.

Identification of Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride

Take approximately 0.5mg of this product and add 2ml of sulfuric acid, which will result in a deep vermilion color; Add 1ml more water, and the solution turns yellow.

Take Oxytetracycline hydrochloride and oxytetracycline reference substance, dissolve and dilute them in methanol to prepare a solution containing approximately 1mg per 1ml, as the test solution and reference solution; Take reference standards of tetracycline and tetracycline hydrochloride, dissolve and dilute them in methanol to prepare a mixed solution containing approximately 1mg per 1ml. Perform thin-layer chromatography (General Rule 0502) test, draw up 1 μ l of each of the three solutions, and spot them on the same silica gel G (H) F254 thin-layer plate. Use a water methanol dichloromethane (6:35:59) solution as the developing agent, develop, air dry, and inspect under ultraviolet light (365nm). The mixed solution should show two completely separated spots, and the position and fluorescence of the main spot in the test solution should be the same as that of the main spot in the reference solution.

In the chromatogram recorded under the content determination item, the retention time of the main peak of the test solution should be consistent with that of the main peak of the reference solution.

Reference

[1] Cervini P, Ambrozini B, Machado L C M, et al. Thermal behavior and decomposition of oxytetracycline hydrochloride[J]. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 2015, 121: 347-352.

[2] Bueno M S, Mi?ambres G G, Bongioanni A, et al. Exploring solid forms of oxytetracycline hydrochloride[J]. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2020, 585: 119496.

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