Pharmacological studies on the new mucoactive agent...

The pharmacological activity and acute toxicity of (-)-6(S)-hydroxy-4(R)-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-1-cyclohexene-1-ethanol (CO/1408, CAS 103079-06-7), a new mucoactive drug, were evaluated. After oral and intravenous administration CO/1408 increased the pulmonary secretion of fluorescein in rats, as an index of bronchosecretogogue activity. In addition, CO/1408 markedly increased the mucociliary transport rate. In in vitro study CO/1408 did not modify the viscosity of pig gastric mucin. Acute toxicity studies showed a very low toxicity after single dose indicating a high safety level for the doses used in this report. The results obtained point out the potential usefulness of CO/1408 to ameliorate the symptoms observed in some obstructive pulmonary diseases.