title: In vivo anti-tussive activity and structural features of a polysaccharide fraction from water extracted Withania somnifera.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Herein, we have analyzed water extracted material of Withania somnifera using chemical, chromatographic, spectroscopic and biological methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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 50 mg kg(-1) body weight (b.w.) decreased the number of cough efforts induced by citric acid in guinea pigs like that of codeine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides a scientific basis for the past and present ethnomedical uses of this plant.
authors.affiliation: Natural Products Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, WB 713 104, India.
authors.forename: Sharmistha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nosál'ová
authors.forename: Shruti S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Bandyopadhyay
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Flešková
authors.forename: Bimalendu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ray
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D019343:Citric Acid; D003061:Codeine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005685:Galactans / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D032341:Withania / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000996:Antitussive Agents; D005685:Galactans; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019343:Citric Acid; D003061:Codeine