Significance and efficacy of triterpene saponin herbal drugs with expectorant action in cough therapy

Medicinal plants, about 10,000 species, are used in medicine to treat diseases or preserve human health because they are rich in the content of alkaloids, glycosides, resin, essential oils, etc. Phytopreparations are very important in the treatment of productive cough, both in self-medication and on the recommendation of health professionals. Medicinal preparations containing saponosides stimulate the glands to secrete bronchial secretions through a gastropulmonary reflex mechanism, which results in the production of rarer, watery mucus in the bronchial glands. They act on thick mucus as surfactants, reduce its viscosity and facilitate expectoration. Among triterpene saponosides used as expectorants, ivy leaf extract has proven therapeutic efficacy based on in vitro and in vivo studies. For other saponin expectorants (primrose root and flower, liquorice root (radix dulcis = sweet root), senega root, grindelia herb, common polypody rhizome), only the traditional application has been documented, which is confirmed by many studies. Due to the increased application, as well as the necessary confirmations of efficacy, there is a need for future research to analyze in more detail the pharmacological effects of triterpene saponins of expectorant action and their effect on the human organism.