Abstract
Microalgae organisms are of interest for many biotechnology applications due to the production of a wide range of biologically active compounds. This study evaluated effect of Wollea saccata biopolymer on experimentally induced cough reflex and bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs. Incubation of W. saccata in a large scale afforded a mucilaginous, high molecular weight biopolymer composed of carbohydrate, protein and phenolic compounds. The carbohydrate part was rich mainly in hexose (51%) and deoxyhexose (40%) residues. Methylation analysis revealed about 34 types of methylated derivatives, suggesting a very complex structure of Wollea biopolymer. Wollea originated extracellular proteoglycan was then subjected to pharmacodynamic evaluation in 2 different peroral doses, 50 and 75 mg/kg. It suppressed the cough reflex induced by short-term exposure of healthy conscious guinea pigs to citric acid aerosol in dose-dependent manner. However, its effect was lower than that of the control, centrally acting antitussive drug codeine. The bronchodilatory effect, evaluated by the Pennock et al. [1] method using a double-chambered body plethysmograph box, manifested as a decrease in the value of specific airway resistance induced by various inhalatory applied bronchoprovoking agents, i.e. citric acid, histamine and methacholine. The observed bronchodilation was followed on both doses administered and was similar or higher than that of salbutamol, a control bronchodilatory beta adrenoreceptors agonist. Pharmacological studies confirmed antitussive and bronchodilatory effect of cyanobacteria biopolymer as the new pharmacodynamic properties.
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