What Is Theophylline (58-55-9)?
Theophylline is 1,3-Dimethylxanthine, a natural plant compound with CAS number 58-55-9. It appears as white crystalline powder, odorless with a slightly bitter taste and is one of the most studied botanical actives in the global plant extract market.
Theophylline is chemically 1,3-dimethylxanthine — a close analog of caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) and theobromine (3,7-dimethylxanthine). All three methylxanthines coexist in tea leaves, with theophylline being the least abundant but pharmacologically the most active on smooth muscle relaxation.
As a pharmaceutical API it has been used for over 80 years as a bronchodilator in asthma and COPD treatment. Today theophylline is also used as a reference standard in analytical chemistry, a research tool in cell signaling studies, and a component in some combination dietary supplements.
Key Properties of Theophylline
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Theophylline |
| CAS Number | 58-55-9 |
| Chemical Name | 1,3-Dimethylxanthine |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder, odorless with a slightly bitter taste |
| Purity | ≥99.0% (HPLC) |
| Melting Point | Approx. 270-274 °C |
| Solubility | Sparingly soluble in water (8.3 g/L at 25 °C), soluble in hot water and ethanol; soluble in acidic and alkaline aqueous media |
| Natural Sources | Tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves; Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) beans; Kola nut (Cola acuminata) |
Sources & Extraction
Theophylline is naturally found in Tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves, Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) beans and Kola nut (Cola acuminata). ZHII extracts theophylline from the most abundant commercial source, ensuring consistent purity and supply.
Theophylline for commercial use is produced either by extraction from tea leaves followed by purification, or by total synthesis from dimethylurea and cyanoacetic acid. ZHII supplies the synthetically produced theophylline (USP/EP grade) for pharmaceutical consistency, and also offers natural-sourced theophylline extracted from Camellia sinensis for "natural-origin" product claims.
Applications of Theophylline
Few botanical actives cross industry boundaries as easily as theophylline:
Pharmaceutical API
Bronchodilator for asthma and COPD formulations; reference compound for sustained-release tablet and capsule development.
Analytical Reference Standard
Used in HPLC and UV-Vis pharmacopeial methods for methylxanthine quantification in food, beverages and biological samples.
Nutraceutical Combinations
A component of certain combination formulas targeting respiratory comfort, often paired with herbal extracts such as ephedra or licorice.
Research & Cell Biology
Studied as a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor and adenosine receptor antagonist in cell signaling research.
Recommended Use & Dosage
Adult pharmaceutical dosing for bronchodilation typically starts at 200-400 mg per day in sustained-release form, titrated to serum levels of 10-20 μg/mL. Lower nutraceutical doses (50-100 mg) are used in combination products. Always follow pharmaceutical regulatory guidance.
Packaging & Storage
25 kg fibre drums with double-layer PE liner, or 5 kg food-grade plastic pails. Tamper-evident seals and full labeling including batch number, manufacture date and expiry.. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, tightly sealed to protect from moisture. When stored properly, the product remains stable for at least 24 months from the production date.
Why Source Theophylline from ZHII?
- Factory-direct supply — we manufacture and export plant extracts from Xi’an, China, with competitive pricing and stable long-term stock.
- Certified quality — ISO9001 and ISO14001 certified production; KOSHER and HALAL certified products; a Certificate of Analysis accompanies every batch.
- Global experience — customers in more than 50 countries across the EU, the Americas and Asia trust ZHII as their plant extract supplier.
- Flexible quantities — from free evaluation samples and small trial packs to full container loads.
- Technical support — our team provides formulation guidance, regulatory documents and application advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is theophylline the same as caffeine?
No. Theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine) and caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) are both methylxanthines found in tea, but theophylline has stronger smooth-muscle relaxant activity while caffeine is more active on the central nervous system as a stimulant.
Is theophylline natural or synthetic?
Both are available. Theophylline is naturally present in tea and cocoa at low concentrations. Commercial pharmaceutical-grade theophylline is usually synthetic (USP/EP) for batch consistency; ZHII supplies both synthetic and natural-origin grades.
Does ZHII supply theophylline with pharmacopeial documentation?
Yes. We supply USP/EP-grade theophylline with full COA, including assay by HPLC, identification by IR, loss on drying, residue on ignition, heavy metals and microbial limits. DMF and regulatory support documents are available for pharmaceutical customers.
Get a Free Sample of Theophylline
Looking for a reliable Theophylline manufacturer and supplier? ZHII offers high-purity Theophylline (58-55-9) with fast worldwide delivery and free samples. Visit our plant extract catalog to explore the full botanical extract range, or contact us today by email at sxzhiyi@126.com or WhatsApp +86 151 0299 2009 for a quotation within 24 hours.