Features of cough therapy in children

This article discusses the problem of cough in children as one of the symptoms of a complicated course of acute respiratory infection. The data on the peculiarities of the course of cough in children depending on the cause, the level of damage, and age are presented. Virulence of infectious agents, immune status, and the child’s constitution may influence the development of local inflammation covering the tonsils, adenoids, pharynx, larynx. The study of respiratory problems in children remains relevant due to the need to improve therapy tactics and rehabilitation after an infection. Acute upper respiratory tract infections affect about 23 million children annually, which is 52% of the total morbidity of children and adolescents aged 0-17 years. Various therapeutic options are discussed. Thus, central drugs have a direct antitussive effect and cause inhibition of the cough center: narcotic antitussive drugs, such as codeine-containing drugs; non-narcotic antitussive drugs (glaucine hydrochloride, butamirate citrate, etc.). Peripheral medications reduce the sensitivity of cough afferent receptors and act on the mucosa of the airways. There are drugs of combined action, as well as bronchodilators, mucoactive drugs, and chest cough sets. Particular attention is paid to the multicomponent drug, which has a complex anti-inflammatory, antitussive and antimicrobial action in cough. The results of various foreign and domestic studies on the efficacy and safety of this drug are given. The necessity of early treatment is emphasized to improve the quality of life of patients and to prevent the formation of chronic bronchial processes. It is concluded that for the treatment of children it is necessary to choose the best drugs. It should be drugs that have proven efficacy and safety, and most importantly - they should be registered for use in the Russian Federation.

Intra-Arterial, but Not Intrathecal, Baclofen and Codeine Attenuates Cough in the Cat

Centrally-acting antitussive drugs are thought to act solely in the brainstem. However, the role of the spinal cord in the mechanism of action of these drugs is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if antitussive drugs act in the spinal cord to reduce the magnitude of tracheobronchial (TB) cough-related expiratory activity. Experiments were conducted in anesthetized, spontaneously breathing cats (n = 22). Electromyograms (EMG) were recorded from the parasternal (PS) and transversus abdominis (TA) or rectus abdominis muscles. Mechanical stimulation of the trachea or larynx was used to elicit TB cough. Baclofen (10 and 100 μg/kg, GABA-B receptor agonist) or codeine (30 μg/kg, opioid receptor agonist) was administered into the intrathecal (i.t.) space and also into brainstem circulation via the vertebral artery. Cumulative doses of i.t. baclofen or codeine had no effect on PS, abdominal muscle EMGs or cough number during the TB cough. Subsequent intra-arterial (i.a.) administration of baclofen or codeine significantly reduced magnitude of abdominal and PS muscles during TB cough. Furthermore, TB cough number was significantly suppressed by i.a. baclofen. The influence of these drugs on other behaviors that activate abdominal motor pathways was also assessed. The abdominal EMG response to noxious pinch of the tail was suppressed by i.t. baclofen, suggesting that the doses of baclofen that were employed were sufficient to affect spinal pathways. However, the abdominal EMG response to expiratory threshold loading was unaffected by i.t. administration of either baclofen or codeine. These results indicate that neither baclofen nor codeine suppress cough via a spinal action and support the concept that the antitussive effect of these drugs is restricted to the brainstem.

Antitussive, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Septum Extract Rich in Bioactive Compounds

The antitussive, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of a walnut (Juglans regia L.) septum extract (WSE), rich in bioactive compounds were investigated using the citric acid aerosol-induced cough experimental model in rodents. Wistar male rats were treated orally for three days with distilled water (control), codeine (reference), and WSE in graded doses. On the third day, all rats were exposed to citric acid aerosols, the number of coughs being recorded. Each animal was sacrificed after exposure, and blood and lung tissue samples were collected for histopathological analysis and the assessment of oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. The results of the experiment showed a significant antitussive effect of WSE, superior to codeine. This activity could be due to cellular protective effect and anti-inflammatory effect via the stimulation of the antioxidant enzyme system and the decrease of IL-6 and CXC-R1 concentration in the lung tissue of WSE-treated animals. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of WSE were confirmed by biochemical assays and histopathological analysis. This is the first scientific study reporting the antitussive effect of walnut septum, a new potential source of non-opioid antitussive drug candidates, and a valuable bioactive by-product that could be used in the treatment of respiratory diseases.

Role of Vasavaleha in the management of Covid19

Vasavaleha is one of the best medicine given for respiratory diseases. Corona viruses typically affect the respiratory system, causing symptoms such as coughing, fever and shortness of breath. It also affects host immune system of human body. Spreading rate of this disease is very high. Whole world is seeking for the treatment which can uproots this diseases. There in no vaccine available till date against this pandemic disease. Ayurveda mainly focuses on prevention of diseases alongwith its total cure. Rajyakshma Vyadhi is MadhyamMarga Roga as per Ayurveda. It shows many symptoms such as Kasa, Shwasa etc. By overall view of Covid 19, shows its resemblance with Rajyakshma Vyadhi described in Ayurveda. Vasavaleha is a Kalpa which is described in Rogadhikara of Rajyakshma. It shows Kasahara, Shwashara properties. It consists of Vasa, Pipalli, Madhu and Goghrita. These components shows actions like bronchodilation, antitussive effect and many more other actions. Pipalli shows important Rasayana effect. So in present review, we have tried to focus on role of Vasavaleha in the management of Covid 19. This can be used as preventive as well as adjuvant medication in treating Covid 19. There is need of further clinical research to rule of exact action of Vasavaleha against Covid 19.

Therapeutic Effects of Kangzhi Syrup in a Guinea Pig Model of Ovalbumin-Induced Cough Variant Asthma

Purpose. This study aimed to investigate the possible effects and underlying mechanisms of Kangzhi syrup on ovalbumin- (OVA-) induced cough variant asthma (CVA) in guinea pigs. Methods. All 48 guinea pigs were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: normal, OVA model with or without Kangzhi syrup (OVA and OVA + KZ), and OVA with Dexamethasone (OVA + DM). After sensitizing the guinea pigs, a cough challenge was performed by the inhalation of capsaicin. The antitussive effect, inflammatory cells, cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue, and morphological changes were examined. Results. Compared with model group, Kangzhi syrup effectively exerted an antitussive effect (p<0.0001) and reduced the pneumonic anaphylacticitis by inhibiting the infiltration of total inflammatory cells (p<0.0001) and reducing the percentage of eosinophil in BALF (p<0.0001). Moreover, evidence from morphological studies also demonstrated that Kangzhi syrup inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory cells and ameliorated the structure changes. NF-κB and TGF-β1 expression were attenuated in the OVA + KZ group versus the OVA group (p<0.0001). Additionally, a semiquantitative analysis of TGF-β1 expression also demonstrated that the Kangzhi syrup attenuated this profibrogenic growth factor (p<0.001). Conclusions. The results demonstrated that Kangzhi syrup exerted a considerable antitussive effect in CVA animal model, which depended on its marked impact on the anti-anaphylactic inflammation. Additionally, it could ameliorate the airway remodeling by inhibiting NF-κB and TGF-β1 signal pathway.