Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41826150›Full record

SynthesisFundamental & clinical pharmacology2026

Non-Pulmonary Mechanisms of Action of Ambroxol in In Vivo Experimental Models: a Systematic Review.

Michelline Joana Tenório Albuquerque Madruga Mesquita, Anne Caroline Silva Nogueira da Cruz, Rafael de Abreu Lima, Joana Tenório-Meireles, Arney José Nogueira Farias, Isabela Nogueira Santos, Gustavo Frota, Taciana Gabrielle Pinheiro de Moura Carvalho, Rafael Antônio Freire Carvalho, Jorge Antônio Meireles-Teixeira and 4 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Fundamental & clinical pharmacology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Michelline Joana Tenório Albuquerque Madruga MesquitaMedicine Department I, Federal University of Maranhao (UFMA) and Post-Graduate Program in Health Sciences (UFMA), Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4133-7123
Anne Caroline Silva Nogueira da CruzPost-Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhao, Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9940-0025
Rafael de Abreu LimaNursing Department, Federal University of Maranhao, and Multiprofessional Residence Program in Health, University Hospital of Maranhao (HUUFMA), Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7945-7614
Joana Tenório-MeirelesUniversity CEUMA, Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3196-027X
Arney José Nogueira FariasFederal University of Maranhao, Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6715-189X
Isabela Nogueira SantosFederal University of Maranhao, Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1534-8708
Gustavo FrotaGraduate Program in Biotechnology - RENORBIO, Federal University of Maranhao, Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7496-9699
Taciana Gabrielle Pinheiro de Moura CarvalhoMedicine Departament I, Federal University of Maranhao (UFMA), Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1781-8768
Rafael Antônio Freire CarvalhoMedical School - Pinheiro Campus, Federal University of Maranhao (UFMA), Pinheiro, Maranhao, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1106-9517
Jorge Antônio Meireles-TeixeiraMedicine Departament I, Federal University of Maranhao (UFMA), Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1842-486X
Tereza PrazeresGraduate Program in Biotechnology - RENORBIO, Federal University of Maranhao, Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2117-9914
Rafael Cardoso CarvalhoDepartment of Pathology, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhao, Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7073-8308
Maria do Socorro de Sousa CartágenesPhysiological Sciences Department, Federal University of Maranhao, Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2300-5248
João Batista Santos GarciaMedicine Departament II, Federal University of Maranhao, Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3597-6471

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRepositioning offers a cost-effective approach to discovering new therapeutic applications for existing medications. Ambroxol, primarily used as a mucolytic for respiratory diseases, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties, suggesting potential benefits in non-pulmonary conditions. This study conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of ambroxol in experimental disease models unrelated to the respiratory system.

methodsFollowing registration in the Open Science Framework and adherence to the PICO strategy for formulating the guiding question, searches were performed in PUBMED/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SCOPUS using the keywords: (Ambroxol) AND (Anti-Inflammatory Agents OR Analgesics OR Antioxidants) AND (Animals OR in vivo). The SYRCLE tool assessed methodological quality. Among 353 identified records, eight articles met eligibility criteria.

resultsThese studies investigated ambroxol's effects in models of gastric lesions, neuropathic pain, psoriasis-like skin inflammation, hemorrhagic cystitis, and ischemia/reperfusion injuries in the liver and kidneys. Ambroxol doses ranged from 5 to 1000 mg/kg, predominantly administered orally. Its antioxidant properties were demonstrated by reducing free radicals and increasing enzymatic activity (SOD, CAT, GSH). Anti-inflammatory effects included a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) and histological improvements. Antinociceptive action was observed through inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels and reduction of oxidative stress, alleviating neuropathic pain.

conclusionsDespite ambroxol's widespread clinical use, limited research has explored its non-respiratory applications. Existing studies suggest its promising therapeutic potential, reinforcing the need for further investigation into its role as an alternative treatment for various inflammatory and oxidative stress-related conditions beyond pulmonary diseases.

Indexed as

AmbroxolAnti-Inflammatory AgentsAntioxidantsAnalgesicsAnimalsDisease Models, AnimalDrug RepositioningExpectorantsHumansOxidative StressAmbroxolAnalgesicsAnti-Inflammatory AgentsAntioxidantsExpectorantsambroxolanalgesicanti‐inflammatory agentantioxidantdrug repositioningin vivo

Identifiers

PMID41826150
PMCPMC12987714

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.