The expectorant action of cephaeline, emetine and 2-dehydroemetine

Abstract

Abstract Cephaeline, emetine and 2-dehydroemetine were administered, as the dihydrochlorides, in doses from 0.1 to 81 mg/kg body weight, orally and subcutaneously to 135 rabbits and 92 cats arranged for the collection of respiratory tract fluid. To the extent that comparisons were made, the effects of the three alkaloids were identical. The volume output of respiratory tract fluid was increasingly augmented by doses of from 0.1 to 1.0 mg/kg. No further increase followed administration of higher doses up to the highest non-lethal dose. Doses of from 9.0 to 81 mg/kg were increasingly lethal and increasingly depressed the output of respiratory tract fluid, probably through their cardiotoxic action. Lethal doses were similar for all three alkaloids and by both routes of administration. It is concluded that the expectorant action of ipecacuanha is due in whole or in major part to its content of emetine and cephaeline. The expectorant action of synthetic 2-dehydroemetine is essentially similar to that of emetine and cephaeline.