Phloroglucinol is a spasmolytic agent to treat colic, as well as spastic pain of the digestive and biliary tracts. Phloroglucinol has been used in trials studying the diagnostic of Colonoscopy.
Phloroglucinol in the presence of hydrochloric acid gives a red colour with certain aldehydes, lignified tissue, the mould product viridin and oxidized hydroquinone; it is also said to give a red dour with compounds containing allyl groups.
Phloroglucinol test solution contains Hydrochloric acid and ethanol. A drop placed on the paper will turn red when Lignin is present (detection limit is about 5%). Iron will react with phloroglucinol giving a purple product.
Phloroglucinol, a phenol derivative with non-specific antispasmodic effect, acts directly on the smooth muscle. Phloroglucinol leads to muscle relaxation by inhibiting voltage-dependent calcium channels19,20 and has none of the anticholinergic side effects associated with the other classes of antispasmodics.
