<i>Lily bulb</i>Nectar Produces Expectorant and Anti-Tussive Activities, and Suppresses Cigarette Smoke-Induced Inflammatory Response in the Respiratory Tract in Mice

Air pollutants pose a major environmental threat to the respiratory system. Pathogen invasion and the exposure to particulate matters in atmospheric air, particularly, cigarette smoke (CS), have been found to be associated with acute and chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma. Therefore, the search for agents that can protect the respiratory system against potentially harmful substances is of interest in preventive health. Lily bulb Nectar (LBN), which contains Lily bulb, Pyrus pyrifolia N., Siraitia grosvenorii and Apricot kernel as its ingredients, is a health supplement intended to improve the wellness of the respiratory system in humans. Lily bulb, Pyrus pyrifolia N., Siraitia grosvenorii and Apricot kernel are commonly prescribed for the treatment of respiratory tract disorders such as bronchitis, pneumonia and cough in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Pharmacological studies have shown that these herbs can produce beneficial effects on the respiratory tract or even the lungs. In the present study, we investigated the effects of LBN on mouse respiratory tract function under normal and challenged conditions. LBN was first examined for its expectorant and anti-tussive activities in mice. The effect of LBN on long-term exposure to CS was also investigated. Our findings showed that long-term LBN treatment enhanced the expectorant activity and suppressed the SO2-induced coughing in mice. LBN treatment also suppressed the CS-induced inflammation in the respiratory tract, as assessed by differential cell count and cytokine production. In conclusion, long-term LBN consumption may produce beneficial effects on the respiratory tract function in humans, particularly in the face of challenge by irritants in the inhaling air.

Anti-inflammatory,anti-tussive effects and toxicity evaluation of Qingfei Dayuan granules(清肺达原颗粒)

OBJECTIVE:To study the anti-inflammatory and anti-tussive effects of Qingfei Dayuan granules(清肺达原颗粒,QFDY),and to evaluate the acute and sub-chronic toxicity of QFDY.METHODS:Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by murine model of xylene induced ear edema in mice.Ear swelling degree was calculated and tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1βand interleukin-6 were determined.Anti-tussive evaluations were carried out in the mouse cough model induced by ammonia liquor.Latent period cough and number of cough within 3 min were counted.In acute toxicity study,the rats were randomly divided into test group and solvent control group.Body weighs,food intakes and general clinical signs were monitored.In the sub-chronic toxicity study,QFDY was administered to rats at 0,4,8 and 16 g/kg per day for 28 and 30 d of post treatment was conducted.Mortalities,clinical signs,body weight changes,food intakes,ophthalmological examinations,hematological parameters,biochemical indicators,electrolyte indicators,urinalyses and histopathological examinations were monitored.RESULTS:QFDY significantly inhibited the development of ear edema in anti-inflammatory assay and decreased cough frequency caused by ammonia liquor.The results presented a dose-effect relationship.In acute toxicity study,no abnormality exhibited at dose of 24.0 g/kg per day during the 14-d observation period.In the sub-chronic toxicity study,higher reticulocyte count,lymphocyte and lower Cl-,blood urea nitrogen were analyzed compared with the solvent control group.But the differences were considered to be incidental and not clinically toxic.Obvious dose-effect relationship of urine color was observed,and the three test groups at the end of the experiments resulted in significant increase in urobilinogen,bilirubin,ketone body and urine leukocyte.However,all the positive indicators returned to normal in the recovery period.Therefore,no toxicological changes were found during the study period.CONCLUSION:QFDY showed significant anti-inflammatory and anti-tussive effects in mice.The lethal dose(LD50)of per oral QFDY in rats was estimated to be more than 24.0 g/kg per day and the no observed adverse effect level was over 16 g/kg per day,which suggested that QFDY is relatively safe for oral medication at the present dose on rats.Our experimental results provide a reference for the further development and research of QFDY.

Design, Development and Phytochemical Evaluation of a Poly Herbal Formulation Linkus Syrup

The present work has been carried out on polyherbal formulation named as Linkus Syrup. The herbal formulation consists of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hyssopus officinalis, Piper longum and Alpinia galangal. The Linkus syrup physico-chemical evaluation such as pH, density, identification of polysaccharide, tanning agents, ascorbic acid and shelf life was complied. The TLC and quantitative determination of alkaloid were quantified. Determination of biomarker has been validated for the analysis of vasicine. The study result revealed that Linkus syrup formulation was well standardized at different levels such as physic-chemical consistency and assay of bio marker compound.

Synthesis and Antitussive Effect of New Hydantoin Compounds

A series of new hydantoin compounds was synthesized with 3-bromo phenylacetic acid and 3,4-dimethylbromobenzene as starting material, 7-bromo-2-tetralone and 2-bromo-5,6,8,9-tetrahydro-7-benzocycloheptenone as intermediate and Ullmann reaction, Suzuki reaction and Bucherer-Berg＇s reaction as key steps. The structures of the key intermediate and target compounds were confirmed by lH NMR, 13C NMR, IR and MS. Bioactivity research showed that target compounds 6a, 6c, 6d, 6e and 15i had significant antitussive effect on the ammonia-induced couch of mice.