Antiinflammatory properties of ambroxol.

Ambroxol is frequently used as mucolytic agent in respiratory diseases associated with increased mucus production like acute or chronic bronchitis. Further, ambroxol is used topically (lozenges) for the treatment of sore throat and pharyngitis associated with common cold. In addition to the effects of ambroxol on mucus regulation and local anaesthetic effects, a wide range of pharmacological antiinflammatory properties of ambroxol have been described in vitro and in vivo, including inhibition or scavenging of oxidative and nitro?sative stress, increase of local defense molecules involved in respiratory virus replication, reduction of proinflammatory cytokines and arachidonic acid meta?bolites, inflammatory cell chemotaxis, and lipid peroxidation of tissues. The present review summarizes the antiinflammatory effects of ambroxol and relates these properties to results from controlled clinical trials in targeted diseases such as chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and sore throat.