Autism spectrum disorder is associated with autonomic underarousal.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder, associated with autonomic dysregulation. However, the pathomechanism leading to autonomic abnormalities is still unclear. The aim of this study was to assess autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity during baseline in homogenous group of autistic children using electrodermal activity (EDA), as an index of sympathetic activity and short-term heart rate variability (HRV) reflecting predominantly cardiac vagal control.

Antitussive activity of Withania somnifera and opioid receptors.

Arabinogalactan is a polysaccharide isolated from the roots of the medicinal plant Withania somnifera L. It contains 65% arabinose and 18% galactose. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antitussive activity of arabinogalactan in conscious, healthy adult guinea pigs and the role of the opioid pathway in the antitussive action.

Herbal polysaccharides and cough reflex.

In the last decades plant substances have become a leading form of treatment of many respiratory symptoms, including cough. It has been shown that compounds purified form polysaccharides from Adhatoda vasica, Withania somnifera, and Glycyrrhiza glabra have various biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, antispasmodic action, or antiallergic properties, and they often act as cough suppressants. This work demonstrates new natural substitutes for synthetic antitussives whose application is associated with numerous adverse effects.

Antitussive activity of an extracellular Rhodella grisea proteoglycan on the mechanically induced cough reflex.

A mucilagineous extracellular proteoglycan (EPG) composed of xylose and its 3-O-and 4-O-methyl-derivates (55%), glucuronic acids (17%), rhamnose (14%), galactose (8%), glucose (4%) and minor amounts of other sugars (∼2%) has been isolated from culture medium of Rhodella grisea. A white fluffy algal biopolymer of molecular mass over 8.1×10 contained protein (13%), methoxyl (6%), acetyl and succinyl groups.

Influence of viscous Rhodella grisea (Rhodophyceae) proteoglycan on chemically induced cough reflex.

An algal extracellular biopolymer (over 8.5 × 10(5)Da) composed of carbohydrates (52%) and protein (∼13%) has been isolated from a red alga Rhodella grisea growing in natural conditions by concentration of water medium, alcohol precipitation, dialysis and freeze-drying. This mucilagineous biopolymer contained xylose and its 3-O- and 4-O-methyl derivatives (∼63%), galactose (∼12%), glucuronic acid (11-12%), glucose (∼5%), rhamnose (∼4%), fucose (∼3-4%) and low content of others accompaning sugars.

Pharmacologic modulation of experimentally induced allergic asthma.

Allergic asthma is the most frequent disease of the respiratory tract. The aim of the current experimental and clinical studies was to find new sources of drugs able to control asthmatic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. Our experimental studies were focused on efficiency evaluation of substances able to influence activities of ion channels, phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoforms, substances from the group of polyphenols and NO metabolism modulators during experimentally induced allergic asthma.

Structural features and in vivo antitussive activity of the water extracted polymer from Glycyrrhiza glabra.

Antitussive drugs are amongst the most widely used medications worldwide; however no new class of drugs has been introduced into the market for many years. Herein, we have analyzed the water-extracted polymeric fraction (WE) of Glycyrrhiza glabra. This arabinogalactan protein enriched fraction, ≥ 85% of which gets precipitated with Yariv reagent, consisted mainly of 3- and 3,6-linked galactopyranosyl, and 5- and 3,5-linked arabinofuranosyl residues.

In vivo anti-tussive activity and structural features of a polysaccharide fraction from water extracted Withania somnifera.

Aim Of The Study: 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.

Materials And Methods: Herein, we have analyzed water extracted material of Withania somnifera using chemical, chromatographic, spectroscopic and biological methods.