Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Upper respiratory tract disorders, including viral infections and allergic rhinitis, cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life. Managing these conditions involves a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines, intranasal steroids, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. Specific examples of drugs in each category are provided.
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...

Adrenergic Agonists: Mixed-Action Agents

Adrenergic Agonists: Mixed-Action Agents

Mixed-action adrenergic agonists, like ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, directly and indirectly affect adrenergic receptors. These agents stimulate adrenoceptors and indirectly release stored neurotransmitters, amplifying the adrenergic response.
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine lack a catecholamine group, making them less susceptible to degradation by metabolic enzymes. They have increased oral bioavailability and lipophilicity, resulting in a longer duration of action. Their response is reduced by...

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...

Gross Anatomy of the Lungs

Gross Anatomy of the Lungs

The lungs are a pair of vital organs connected to the trachea via the left and right bronchi. The base of these organs meets the dome-shaped muscle known as the diaphragm. Encased by the pleurae, the lungs contact the mediastinum. The right lung is shorter yet wider, and has a larger volume than the left lung. The left lung has an indentation known as the cardiac notch. The superior region of the lungs is referred to as the apex, whereas the base is the lower region near the diaphragm. The...

Cellulose and Pectic Polysaccharides

Cellulose and Pectic Polysaccharides

Every plant cell has a cell wall that protects the cell, provides structural support, and gives the cell shape. Cellulose, the main structural component of the plant cell wall, makes up over 30% of plant matter. It is the most abundant organic compound on earth. Cellulose is an unbranched polysaccharide composed of linear chains of glucose molecules linked by β (1→4) glycosidic bonds.
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the parenchyma cells of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Targeting viral entry: Chemically engineered Gracilaria corticata galactan sulfates as multifunctional antivirals against respiratory syncytial and herpes simplex viruses.

International journal of biological macromolecules·2026

Same author

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Peel-Enriched Pomace as Natural Anticancer Agents: Preclinical Evidence from Breast Carcinoma Models Supporting Preventive and Personalized Treatment Strategies.

The Journal of nutrition·2025

Same author

Respiratory Ciliary Beat Frequency in COPD: Balancing Oxidative Stress and Pharmacological Treatment.

Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)·2025

Same author

Chemopreventive and therapeutic effects of <i>Hippophae rhamnoides</i> L. fruit peels evaluated in preclinical models of breast carcinoma.

Frontiers in pharmacology·2025

Same author

Sulfated xylogalactofucans from Spatoglossum asperum: Production, structural features and antiviral activity.

Carbohydrate research·2024

Same author

Anti-respiratory syncytial virus and anti-herpes simplex virus activity of chemically engineered sulfated fucans from Cystoseira indica.

Carbohydrate polymers·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Methods for Detecting Cough and Airway Inflammation in Mice

Methods for Detecting Cough and Airway Inflammation in Mice

Published on: August 2, 2024

Herbal polysaccharides and cough reflex.

Gabriela Nosalova¹, Dana Fleskova, Ludovit Jurecek

¹Department of Pharmacology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Martin, Slovakia.

Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology

|April 20, 2013

Summary

Plant-derived polysaccharides from Adhatoda vasica, Withania somnifera, and Glycyrrhiza glabra show significant antitussive effects. These natural compounds offer a promising alternative to synthetic cough suppressants with fewer adverse effects.

More Related Videos

Establishment of a Mouse Model with Cough Hypersensitivity via Inhalation of Citric Acid

Establishment of a Mouse Model with Cough Hypersensitivity via Inhalation of Citric Acid

Published on: January 10, 2025

Comparative Study on the Polysaccharide Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis and Hippophae gyantsensis

Comparative Study on the Polysaccharide Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis and Hippophae gyantsensis

Published on: August 15, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 12, 2026

Methods for Detecting Cough and Airway Inflammation in Mice

Methods for Detecting Cough and Airway Inflammation in Mice

Published on: August 2, 2024

Establishment of a Mouse Model with Cough Hypersensitivity via Inhalation of Citric Acid

Establishment of a Mouse Model with Cough Hypersensitivity via Inhalation of Citric Acid

Published on: January 10, 2025

Comparative Study on the Polysaccharide Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis and Hippophae gyantsensis

Comparative Study on the Polysaccharide Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis and Hippophae gyantsensis

Published on: August 15, 2025

Area of Science:

Pharmacology
Natural Product Chemistry
Respiratory Medicine

Background:

Plant-derived compounds are increasingly used for respiratory symptoms like cough.
Polysaccharides from Adhatoda vasica, Withania somnifera, and Glycyrrhiza glabra exhibit diverse biological activities, including cough suppression.
Synthetic antitussives can cause adverse effects, necessitating the search for natural alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the pharmacodynamic properties of arabinogalactan extracts from A. vasica, W. somnifera, and G. glabra.
To evaluate the potential of these natural extracts as substitutes for synthetic antitussives.

Main Methods:

Arabino-galactan samples were extracted from A. vasica, W. somnifera, and G. glabra.
Pharmacodynamic characteristics were assessed by investigating their effect on citric acid-induced cough in awake guinea pigs.
Oral administration at a dose of 50mg/kg was used.

Main Results:

All investigated extracts demonstrated the ability to reduce citric acid-induced cough.
Glycyrrhiza glabra extract exhibited the strongest antitussive effect (81% suppression).
Adhatoda vasica (67% suppression) and Withania somnifera (61% suppression) extracts showed significant cough suppression, comparable to codeine (62% suppression).

Conclusions:

Arabinogalactans from A. vasica, W. somnifera, and G. glabra possess notable antitussive properties.
These plant extracts represent viable natural alternatives to synthetic cough suppressants.
Further research into these natural compounds could lead to safer and effective cough treatments.