AIM OF THE STUDY The study was aimed to investigate the chemical composition and pharmacological basis for traditional use of essential oil of Nepeta cataria L. (Limiaceae) (Nc.Oil) in gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS Chemical analysis was carried out through GC-EIMS, 13C NMR and Kovats Retention Indices while pharmacological study was carried out in isolated ...

In a healthy human, deep inspirations produce bronchodilation of contracted airways, which probably occurs due to the transient distension of the airway smooth muscle (ASM). We hypothesised that deep expiratory manoeuvres also produce bronchodilation due to transient airway wall and ASM compression. We used porcine bronchial segments to assess the effects of deep inspirations, and maximal and p...

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been shown to be an effective bronchodilator when given intravenously, but its efficacy by inhalation has not been assessed. In the first part of the current study, six asthmatic subjects, mean (SEM) forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 2.09 (0.30) l, received 0.1 and 1 mg atrial natriuretic peptide by inhalation, and in the second study five subjec...

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is a putative neurotransmitter of the inhibitory non-adrenergic non-cholinergic nervous system and influences the mammalian airway function in various ways. Hence known for bronchodilatory, immunomodulatory and mucus secretion modulating effects by interacting with the VIP receptors VPAC1 and VPAC2, it is discussed to be a promising target for pharmaceuti...

This present trial investigated the efficacy of supplementation with Chlorella vulgaris, a bioactive microalga rich in macro- and micronutrients, in the improvement of biochemical and clinical symptoms in patients with obstructive pulmonary disorders. Ninety-seven patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma who were under conventional treatment regimens were randomly as...

ASP3258 is a potent and selective PDE4 inhibitor and exerts a wide-range of anti-inflammatory effects with low emetic potential, a major adverse effect of PDE4 inhibitors. Here, we investigated the anti-asthmatic potency of ASP3258 as compared with those of two representative PDE4 inhibitors: roflumilast and cilomilast. Orally administered ASP3258, roflumilast, and cilomilast all inhibited oval...

Bronchodilators represent the hallmark of symptomatic treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). There are four categories of bronchodilators: anticholinergics, methylxanthines, short-acting beta2-agonists, and long-acting beta2-agonists such as formoterol. Significant research has been performed to investigate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of formoterol in the therapeut...

RATIONALE Nitric oxide formation is deficient in airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Since nitric oxide has bronchodilatory effects, nitric oxide deficiency may contribute to airway obstruction in CF. OBJECTIVES We reasoned that inhalation of l-arginine, the precursor of enzymatic nitric oxide formation, could improve airway nitric oxide formation and pulmonary function in patients...

Background Endotracheal intubation during anesthesia induction may increase airway resistance (Raw) and decrease dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn). We hypothesized that prophylactic treatment with a transdermal β2-agonist tulobuterol patch (TP) would help to reduce the risk of bronchospasm after placement of the endotracheal tube. Methods Eighty-two American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) ca...

This study characterised the effect of beta-adrenoceptor stimulation on endotoxin-induced accumulation of neutrophilic granulocytes in mouse airways, where the cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 are involed as mediators. The beta2-adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol (0.025-250 fMol) was administered intranasally in mice 24 h prior to administration of endotoxin...