Theobromine inhibits sensory nerve activation and cough

• Published in: The FASEB journal Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 231 - 233
• Main Authors: Usmani, Omar S, Belvisi, Maria G, Patel, Hema J, Crispino, Natascia, Birrell, Mark A, Korbonits, Márta, Korbonits, Dezso, Barnes, Peter J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.02.2005
• Subjects: Adult; Animals; Antitussive Agents - pharmacology; Antitussive Agents - therapeutic use; Capsaicin - adverse effects; Citric Acid - adverse effects; Codeine - pharmacology; Codeine - therapeutic use; Cough - chemically induced; Cough - prevention & control; Cross-Over Studies; Disease Models, Animal; Double-Blind Method; Female; Guinea Pigs; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Neurons, Afferent - drug effects; Theobromine - pharmacology; Theobromine - therapeutic use; Vagus Nerve - drug effects
• ISSN: 0892-6638; 1530-6860
• DOI: 10.1096/fj.04-1990fje

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.