The caudal nucleus tractus solitarii (cNTS), the predominant site of termination of cough-related afferents, has been shown to be a site of action of some centrally acting antitussive agents. A role of ERK1/2 has been suggested in acute central processing of nociceptive inputs. Because pain and cough share similar features, we investigated whether ERK1/2 activation could also be involved in the...

beta(2)-Adrenoceptor agonists are the most effective bronchodilators currently available, and are used for symptom management in asthmatics. However, whether beta(2)-agonists are also antitussive is controversial. Identifying an antitussive role for beta(2)-agonists and dissecting the possible mechanism of action may help to explain the inconsistencies in the clinical literature and lead to the...

The caudal nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) is the main central station of cough-related afferents and a strategic site for the modulation of the cough reflex. The similarities between the characteristics of central processing of nociceptive and cough-related inputs led us to hypothesize that galanin, a neuropeptide implicated in the control of pain, could also be involved in the regulation of t...

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of administration of centrally active antitussive drugs on the cough motor pattern. Electromyograms of diaphragm and rectus abdominis muscles were recorded in anesthetized, spontaneously breathing cats. Cough was produced by mechanical stimulation of the intrathoracic trachea. Centrally acting drugs administered included codeine, morphine...

BACKGROUND Cough-suppressant therapy, previously termed nonspecific antitussive therapy, incorporates the use of pharmacologic agents with mucolytic effects and/or inhibitory effects on the cough reflex itself. The intent of this type of therapy is to reduce the frequency and/or intensity of coughing on a short-term basis. METHODS Data for this review were obtained from several National Libra...

UNLABELLED BACKGROUND Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common cause of chronic cough. Both acid and nonacid reflux is thought to play a role in the initiation of coughing and cough hypersensitivity. The GABAB receptor agonist lesogaberan was developed as a peripherally restricted anti-reflux therapy that reduces the frequency of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TL...

Enolethers are a group of reactive compounds also occurring in the nature and displaying different kinds of activities, such as antifungal, antibacterial, nematocidal, cytostatic, cytotoxic, phytotoxic, nematicidal, antipyretic, hypotensive, analgesic, antitussive, depresant, anticancerogenic and antiviral.

Reported biological activities of Stemona natural products, such as antitussive activity, inspired the development of synthetic methods to access several alkaloids within this family and in so doing develop a general route to the core skeleta shared by the class of natural products. The chemistry was subsequently adapted to afford a series of analogue sets bearing simplified, diverse Stemona-in...