Thermo Scientific™ Theophyllin, anhydrous 99+%

Theophylline is a naturally occurring methylxanthine alkaloid derived from tea leaves. It acts as a nonselective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, primarily PDE4, and is known for its bronchodilator, diuretic, cardiac stimulant, and smooth muscle relaxant properties. It has been widely used in the treatment of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and in pharmacological research involving cAMP/cGMP regulation, reproductive toxicity, and adenosine receptor antagonism.

Thermo Scientific’s anhydrous theophylline is supplied as a high-purity, white crystalline powder, verified to meet ≥99.0% purity (by titration with NaOH), and is suitable for a wide range of pharmacological, biochemical, and toxicological applications.

Specifications

Biochemical and Pharmacological Actions

• Phosphodiesterase (PDE) Inhibitor
  Inhibits degradation of cAMP/cGMP, increasing intracellular signaling in target tissues
• Cardiovascular Effects
  Acts as a cardiac stimulant and vasodilator
• Respiratory Actions
  Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle – long studied as a bronchodilator in asthma and COPD
• Reproductive Toxicity Model
  At high concentrations, impairs Sertoli cell function, leading to impaired spermatogenesis
• Adenosine Receptor Antagonist
  Modulates neural signaling and affects CNS-mediated physiological responses

Research Applications

Theophylline is used in a variety of experimental systems, including:

• Pulmonary & Respiratory Biology
  • Smooth muscle relaxation studies in asthma
  • Airway inflammation modeling
• Reproductive Biology & Toxicology
  • Impacts spermatogenic gene expression via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway
  • Studies in epididymal sperm function
• Pharmacokinetics & Bioavailability Studies
  • Used as a model compound or internal standard in HPLC analysis
• Drug Formulation Science
  • Base molecule for solubility-enhanced complexes such as aminophylline and oxtriphylline
  • Useful in studies involving salt formation and dissolution kinetics

Preparation Notes

• Solubility Enhancement:
  • Solubility can be increased through complexation (e.g., with ethylenediamine) or salt formation
  • Does not form covalent derivatives; dissociates into active parent compound in solution
• Solution Stability:
  • Prepare fresh or store aliquots under low light
  • Compatible with aqueous bases and organic solvents

Thermo Scientific™ Theophylline (Anhydrous, ≥99%) is a high-purity, research-grade compound ideal for pharmacological and toxicological investigations, especially in respiratory, cardiovascular, and reproductive research. With a broad solubility profile and well-characterized biological activities, it is an essential reference compound in PDE inhibition, cAMP modulation, and drug metabolism studies. The compound’s reliability and versatility make it suitable for both in vitro and in vivo applications.