Expectorant activities

Guacetisal [55482-89-8] (5), the acetyls alicyhc acid ester of guaiacol, has been shown to retain both antiinflammatory and expectorant activity (10). It is used in Italy for symptomatic reflef of painful respiratory disorders. 

Saponins consist of a terpenoid core (the aglycone), having oxygenated positions bound to sugar moieties (up to ten monosaccharidic units). In water they form colloidal solutions which foam on shaking and precipitate cholesterol. When saponins are near cell membranes, their interaction with cholesterol may create pore-like structures that eventually cause the membrane to burst. Hemolysis is an example of this phenomenon (i.e. the distraction of erythocyte membranes, but not hemoglobin). Occasionally, they cause hypersecretion, which could explain their expectorant activities and also their toxicity to fish. 

A mole each of cincophen and guaiacol gets hyberdised by forming an ester-linkage and losing a mole of water. The new product shows an improved antitussive and expectorant activity. 

P. ipecacuanha, native to South and Central America, is a well-known species used in therapy since the early seventeenth century due to emetic and expectorant activity and later as a medicine for amebic dysentery [98], being widely used as ingredient in pharmaceutical industry. Traditional communities use this plant for intoxication treatment due to its emetic effect [99], as well as stimulant and antidote to opium [100]. 

Lobeline also has expectorant activities, and in large doses is emetic, purgative, and diuretic. 

Isolates from Indian tobacco Q obelia inflata L.), as a cmde mixture of bases, have been recognized as expectorants. The same (or similar) fractions were also used both in the treatment of asthma and as emetics. The principal alkaloid in T. inflata is lobeline (49), an optically active tertiary amine which, unusual among alkaloids, is reported to readily undergo mutarotation, a process normally associated with sugars. Interestingly, it appears that the aryl-bearing side chains in (49) are derived from phenylalanine (25, R = H) (40). 

Guaiacols. Cresote, obtained from the pyrolysis of beechwood, and its active principles guaiacol [90-05-1] (1) and cresol [93-51-6] (2) have long been used ia expectorant mixtures. The compounds are usually classed as direct-acting or stimulant expectorants, but their mechanisms of action have not been well studied. Cresol is obtained by the Clemmensen reduction of vanillin (3), whereas guaiacol can be prepared by a number of methods including the mercuric oxide oxidation of lignin (qv) (4), the ziac chloride reduction of acetovanillone (5), and the diazotization and hydrolysis of o-anisidine (6). 

Mucolytics reduce the viscosity of tenacious and purulent mucus, thus faciUtating removal. The distinction between mucolytics and other classes of expectorants is frequently blurred. Steam, sometimes in conjunction with surfactants or volatile oils, has long been used to decrease viscosity by physical hydration. However, agents that chemically depolymerize certain components of mucus are available. Trypsin and other proteolytic enzymes have shown good clinical activity because of their abiUty to cleave glycoproteins. Pancreatic domase, which depolymerizes DNA found in purulent mucus, also has shown clinical utihty. 

Ambroxol [18683-91 -5] (24), a metabolite of bromhexiae, has also shown potent clinical activity (28). Various esters of ambroxol have been shown to be 1.1 to 1.6 times more active as expectorants than ambroxol (29). The esters also show better gastric tolerabiUty and more rapid absorbtion than ambroxol. 

Discuss important preadministration and ongoing assessment activities the nurse should perform on patients receiving an antitussive, mucolytic, or expectorant drug. 

Note that the dried rhizome of Cimicifuga racemosa (British Pharmaceutical Codex, 1934 black cohosh) has been used as a bitter and mild expectorant in the form of a liquid alcoholic extract (1 in 1 dose 0.3-2 mL) and is sold as alternative remedy for the treatment of menopausal syndrome at dose of 40-80 mg/day. The active constituents of black cohosh, and, therefore, the precise molecular mechanism of action involved in the climacteric property of Cimicifuga racemosa, are still unknown. The most recent data suggest that the plant is not estrogenic sensu stricto (126). 

Another potential benefit of UHPLC is its capability of solving the most challenging separation tasks in pharmaceutical analysis. Figure 9.4 shows a UPLC method developed to analyze pharmaceutical formulations used to treat the common cold. Cold products often contain multiple active ingredients to treat different symptoms and can contain decongestants, antihistamines, pain relievers, cough suppressants, expectorants, and numerous excipients of various polarities. The analysis of a total of 20 components was achieved within 10 min. 

Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra) Uses Expectorant, shampoo, GI complaints Action T Mucus secretions, peptic activity, i scalp sebum secretion Available forms Liq ext, bulk dried root, tea 15 g once/d PO of licorice root intake... 

Some drugs with sympathomimetic activity, including certain decongestants and cough syrups, should be avoided because they may precipitate a hypertensive crisis (Table 2-5). However, pure an-tihistaminic drugs, such as diphenhydramine, and pure expectorants without dextromethorphan, such as guaifenesin, are permissible. 

Fixed dose combination or centrally acting antitussive with antihistaminics having atropine like activity in expectorants. 

Trichosanth.es kirilowii Maxim. T. uniflora Hao Gua Lou, Tian Hua Fen (Chinese snakegourd) (root, seed) Trichosanthin, polysaccharides, saponin, organic acids, resin, protein (TAP29).33 261 This herb is highly toxic. Treat pectoris and acute mastitis. Antitussive, as an expectorant, anti-HIV activity. 

N.A. Caltha leptosepala DC No information is available in the Uterature. Diaphoretic, emetic, expectorant. Diuretic, laxative, antitumor activity.347... 

Gracza, L. 1981. In vitro study of the expectorant effect of phenylpropane derivatives of hazelwort. XII. Active substances from Asarum europaeum L. Planta Med. 42 155-159. 

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