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

Aim of the studyAnti-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 methodsHerein, we have analyzed water extracted material of Withania somnifera using chemical, chromatographic, spectroscopic and biological methods.ResultsA 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.ConclusionsThis study provides a scientific basis for the past and present ethnomedical uses of this plant.

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