BIOMAT Database Logo BIOMAT Database Logo

Theobromine inhibits sensory nerve activation and cough. 2005

Omar S Usmani, and Maria G Belvisi, and Hema J Patel, and Natascia Crispino, and Mark A Birrell, and Márta Korbonits, and Dezso Korbonits, and Peter J Barnes
Department of Thoracic Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.

Cough is a common and protective reflex, but persistent coughing is debilitating and impairs quality of life. Antitussive treatment using opioids is limited by unacceptable side effects, and there is a great need for more effective remedies. The present study demonstrates that theobromine, a methylxanthine derivative present in cocoa, effectively inhibits citric acid-induced cough in guinea-pigs in vivo. Furthermore, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in man, theobromine suppresses capsaicin-induced cough with no adverse effects. We also demonstrate that theobromine directly inhibits capsaicin-induced sensory nerve depolarization of guinea-pig and human vagus nerve suggestive of an inhibitory effect on afferent nerve activation. These data indicate the actions of theobromine appear to be peripherally mediated. We conclude theobromine is a novel and promising treatment, which may form the basis for a new class of antitussive drugs.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009475 Neurons, Afferent Neurons which conduct NERVE IMPULSES to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Afferent Neurons,Afferent Neuron,Neuron, Afferent
D002211 Capsaicin An alkylamide found in CAPSICUM that acts at TRPV CATION CHANNELS. 8-Methyl-N-Vanillyl-6-Nonenamide,Antiphlogistine Rub A-535 Capsaicin,Axsain,Capsaicine,Capsicum Farmaya,Capsidol,Capsin,Capzasin,Gelcen,Katrum,NGX-4010,Zacin,Zostrix,8 Methyl N Vanillyl 6 Nonenamide,NGX 4010,NGX4010
D003061 Codeine An opioid analgesic related to MORPHINE but with less potent analgesic properties and mild sedative effects. It also acts centrally to suppress cough. Morphinan-6-ol, 7,8-didehydro-4,5-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl-, (5alpha,6alpha)-,Ardinex,Codeine Phosphate,Isocodeine,N-Methylmorphine,N Methylmorphine
D003371 Cough A sudden, audible expulsion of air from the lungs through a partially closed glottis, preceded by inhalation. It is a protective response that serves to clear the trachea, bronchi, and/or lungs of irritants and secretions, or to prevent aspiration of foreign materials into the lungs. Coughs
D004195 Disease Models, Animal Naturally-occurring or experimentally-induced animal diseases with pathological processes analogous to human diseases. Animal Disease Model,Animal Disease Models,Disease Model, Animal
D004311 Double-Blind Method A method of studying a drug or procedure in which both the subjects and investigators are kept unaware of who is actually getting which specific treatment. Double-Masked Study,Double-Blind Study,Double-Masked Method,Double Blind Method,Double Blind Study,Double Masked Method,Double Masked Study,Double-Blind Methods,Double-Blind Studies,Double-Masked Methods,Double-Masked Studies,Method, Double-Blind,Method, Double-Masked,Methods, Double-Blind,Methods, Double-Masked,Studies, Double-Blind,Studies, Double-Masked,Study, Double-Blind,Study, Double-Masked
D005260 Female Females
D006168 Guinea Pigs A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research. Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

Related Publications

Omar S Usmani, and Maria G Belvisi, and Hema J Patel, and Natascia Crispino, and Mark A Birrell, and Márta Korbonits, and Dezso Korbonits, and Peter J Barnes
Effect of nociceptin in acid-evoked cough and airway sensory nerve activation in guinea pigs.
February 2006, American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine,
Omar S Usmani, and Maria G Belvisi, and Hema J Patel, and Natascia Crispino, and Mark A Birrell, and Márta Korbonits, and Dezso Korbonits, and Peter J Barnes
Airway Sensory Nerve Plasticity in Asthma and Chronic Cough.
January 2021, Frontiers in physiology,
Omar S Usmani, and Maria G Belvisi, and Hema J Patel, and Natascia Crispino, and Mark A Birrell, and Márta Korbonits, and Dezso Korbonits, and Peter J Barnes
Arnold's nerve cough reflex: evidence for chronic cough as a sensory vagal neuropathy.
October 2014, Journal of thoracic disease,
Omar S Usmani, and Maria G Belvisi, and Hema J Patel, and Natascia Crispino, and Mark A Birrell, and Márta Korbonits, and Dezso Korbonits, and Peter J Barnes
Airway Sensory Nerve Density Is Increased in Chronic Cough.
February 2021, American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine,
Omar S Usmani, and Maria G Belvisi, and Hema J Patel, and Natascia Crispino, and Mark A Birrell, and Márta Korbonits, and Dezso Korbonits, and Peter J Barnes
Modulation of sensory nerve function and the cough reflex: understanding disease pathogenesis.
December 2009, Pharmacology & therapeutics,
Omar S Usmani, and Maria G Belvisi, and Hema J Patel, and Natascia Crispino, and Mark A Birrell, and Márta Korbonits, and Dezso Korbonits, and Peter J Barnes
Regulating cough through modulation of sensory nerve function in the airways.
October 2013, Pulmonary pharmacology & therapeutics,
Omar S Usmani, and Maria G Belvisi, and Hema J Patel, and Natascia Crispino, and Mark A Birrell, and Márta Korbonits, and Dezso Korbonits, and Peter J Barnes
Ocular responses to sensory nerve fiber activation.
January 1987, Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache,
Omar S Usmani, and Maria G Belvisi, and Hema J Patel, and Natascia Crispino, and Mark A Birrell, and Márta Korbonits, and Dezso Korbonits, and Peter J Barnes
Inhibition of guinea-pig and human sensory nerve activity and the cough reflex in guinea-pigs by cannabinoid (CB2) receptor activation.
September 2003, British journal of pharmacology,
Omar S Usmani, and Maria G Belvisi, and Hema J Patel, and Natascia Crispino, and Mark A Birrell, and Márta Korbonits, and Dezso Korbonits, and Peter J Barnes
Repair of motor nerve gaps with sensory nerve inhibits regeneration in rats.
September 2006, The Laryngoscope,
Omar S Usmani, and Maria G Belvisi, and Hema J Patel, and Natascia Crispino, and Mark A Birrell, and Márta Korbonits, and Dezso Korbonits, and Peter J Barnes
Ionotropic and metabotropic receptor mediated airway sensory nerve activation.
January 2004, Pulmonary pharmacology & therapeutics,
Copied contents to your clipboard!