ANTITUSSIVE ACTIVITY OF A RHAMNOGALACTURONAN ISOLATED FROM THE ROOTS OF ALTHAEA-OFFICINALIS L, VAR ROBUSTA

Rhamnogalacturonan, one of the constituents of the mucilage isolated f rom the roots of marsh mallow, has been tested for antitussive activit y on nonaesthetized cats of both sexes. The cough reflex was induced m echanically. It was found that rhamnogalacturonan reduced significantl y the number of cough efforts and the intensity of attacks from the ir ritated laryngopharyngeal and tracheobronchial mucose membranes of the airways and promoted expectoration. The exhibited activity was found to be lower than that of the narcotic codeine, but higher than those o f the comparative nonnarcotic drugs.