In vivo anti-tussive activity and structural features of a polysaccharide fraction from water extracted Withania somnifera

Anti-tussive drugs are amongst the most widely used medications worldwide; however no new class of drugs has been introduced into the market for many years. The present study aims at evaluating the structural features and in vivo anti-tussive activity of a polysaccharide fraction from water extracte...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of ethnopharmacology 2011-03, Vol.134 (2), p.510-513
Main Authors: Sinha, Sharmistha, Nosál’ová, Gabriella, Bandyopadhyay, Shruti S., Flešková, Dana, Ray, Bimalendu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Anti-tussive activity
Antitussive Agents - pharmacology
Antitussive Agents - therapeutic use
Behavior, Animal - drug effects
Biological and medical sciences
Citric Acid
Codeine - pharmacology
Cough
Cough - chemically induced
Cough - drug therapy
Galactans - pharmacology
Galactans - therapeutic use
General pharmacology
Guinea Pigs
Medical sciences
Pectic arabinogalactan
Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Phytotherapy
Plant Extracts - pharmacology
Plant Extracts - therapeutic use
Withania - chemistry
Withania somnifera
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Summary:Anti-tussive drugs are amongst the most widely used medications worldwide; however no new class of drugs has been introduced into the market for many years. The present study aims at evaluating the structural features and in vivo anti-tussive activity of a polysaccharide fraction from water extracted Withania somnifera. Herein, we have analyzed water extracted material of Withania somnifera using chemical, chromatographic, spectroscopic and biological methods. A polysaccharide fraction (F3) containing arabinosyl, galactosyl and galacturonosyl residues were obtained by anion exchange chromatography of the water extracted material. This polymer is branched and contained (1,5)-/(1,3,5)-linked arabinofuranosyl, (1,3)-/(1,6)-/(1,3,6)-linked galactopyranosyl residues together with small amount of terminal rhamnopyranosyl and terminal arabinofuranosyl residues. Peroral administration of this pectic arabinogalactan in a dose of 50mgkg−1 body weight (b.w.) decreased the number of cough efforts induced by citric acid in guinea pigs like that of codeine. This study provides a scientific basis for the past and present ethnomedical uses of this plant.
ISSN:0378-8741
1872-7573
DOI:10.1016/j.jep.2010.12.022