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

• 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
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.12.022

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.