[Treatment of cough in respiratory tract infections - the effect of combining the natural active compounds with thymol].

Cough is one of the characteristic symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (URI). Herbal medicines are often used in the treatment of the cough associated with infection and to accelerate recovery or support the immune system. An example of such products are extracts of thyme and primrose, and also their combination with thymol. Thymus vulgaris is a spasmolytic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antioxidant agent. The most important component responsible for the activity of thyme is thymol contained in the volatile thyme oil. Primrose is, most of all, a saponine agent with expectorant and secretolytic activity, showing also spasmolytic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Because of the additive effects of the mentioned extracts and their wide activity profile they are often used as a combination drug. The use of this combination was assessed in the URI with the effects of alleviation of cough and dyspnea, and shortening the length of the disease. The effectiveness of the drug containing the extracts of thyme and primrose with the addition of thymol (Bronchosol®) was comparable to synthetic ambroxol and its safety has been proved. Moreover, the in-vitro antibacterial and antifungal effects of this drug have been evaluated.

[Immunomodulatory role of Biostymina® and Bioaron® C in the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections]. / Immunomodulacyjna rola Biostyminy® i Bioaronu® C w profilaktyce i leczeniu infekcji górnych dróg oddechowych.

A properly functioning immune system among others protects the organism against the development of infections. In certain situations, its activity can be impaired, which can result in an increased risk of viral and bacterial infection development. An aqueous extract of aloe arborescens (Aloe arborescens Mill.) has been used as add-on therapy for many years due to its immunomodulatory effect resulting in increased anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-bacterial activity. This effect is mainly due to lectins (glycoproteins) and mannans (polysaccharides). Over the past years products containing the aqueous extract of aloe arborescens have been subjected to numerous studies in vitro as well as pharmacological investigations and clinical-observational studies. Based on literature data as well as on the results of observational studies carried out in Poland, a positive immunomodulating effect of Aloe extract containing products has been demonstrated. This effect manifested in infection's symptoms amelioration and infection time shortening but also in general immune system stimulation resulting in less frequent infection recurrence. In Poland the only registered medicinal products containing aqueous extract of Aloe arborescens as an active substance, are Bioaron® C and Biostymina®. Both products showed good efficacy and safety profiles both in adults and in children.

Candelabra aloe (Aloe arborescens) in the therapy and prophylaxis of upper respiratory tract infections: traditional use and recent research results.

Aloe arborescens (Candelabra Aloe) has been used in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in Central and Eastern European countries for many decades. Originally introduced to support the healing and recovery in cornea transplant patients, aqueous A. arborescens extracts soon became popular in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections with a focus on toddlers and children. Recent preclinical and clinical data show that immunomodulatory, antiinflammatory, and antiviral effects contribute to its therapeutic efficacy. Based on its well documented, longstanding traditional use and its excellent safety and tolerability, A. arborescens may be considered a valuable addition to the spectrum of herbal medicinal products for the treatment and prophylaxis of upper respiratory tract infections, in particular common cold, in adults and children.

Application of silicified microcrystalline cellulose (Prosolv) as a polymer carrier of Epilobium parviflorum Schreb. extract in oral solid drug form.

Direct tableting is simpler and more cost-effective from the point of view of good manufacturing practice (GMP) than wet granulation or dry compacting. Thus, pharmaceutical industry more and more frequently uses this particular process. Only few therapeutic substances form under compression tablets meeting current requirements. Very often additional adjuvants must be used. These substances have the ability of increasing plastic deformation and tablet mass liquidity. Microcrystalline cellulose belongs to the best adjuvant substances of the type. It has binding, disintegrating and improving liquidity properties. This study aims at investigating the usefulness of selected high-molecular substances with particular consideration of silici-fled microcrystalline cellulose (Prosolv) and croscarmellose sodium (Vivasol) as a carrier of E. parviflorum Schreb. extract in oral solid drug form in the process of direct tab-leting. The manufactured tablets were subjected to morphological tests and pharmaceutical availability tests of biologically active substances from a tablet to the acceptor fluid. The investigations were based on general and detailed principles of Polish Pharmacopoeia VI. The obtained results allow to state that the applied high-molecular adjuvant substances proved to be useful in adequate proportions in the production of tablets from dry extract from Epilobium parviflo-rum Schreb. Generally, a significant shortening of the tablets disintegration time was obtained as compared to earlier produced tablets with the method of initial granulation. The tablets formed from E. parviflorum Schreb. extract with silicified microcrystalline cellulose (Prosolv SMCC 50) and croscarmellose sodium can be included into preparations of short dissolution time of the therapeutic substance.