Bromhexine

Bromhexine is a mucolytic agent.¹ It also inhibits transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2; IC₅₀ = 0.75 µM) and is selective for TMPRSS2 over hepsin, matriptase, trypsin, and thrombin (IC₅₀s = 35, 58, >100, and >100 µM, respectively).² Bromhexine increases the amplitude and frequency of ciliary beating but does not affect the intracellular electrical activity of isolated dog tracheal mucus membrane preparations.³ It decreases shear viscosity and increases instantaneous shear compliance of tracheal mucus in minipigs when administered at a dose of 2 mg/kg.¹ Bromhexine (30 mg/kg) also decreases lung and liver metastasis but increases primary tumor size in a transgenic autochthonous mouse model for prostate cancer (TRAMP).² Formulations containing bromhexine have previously been used in the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

WARNING This product is not for human or veterinary use.

1. Martin, G.P., Loveday, B.E., and Mrariott, C. The effect of bromhexine hydrochloride on the viscoelastic properties of mucus from the mini-pig. Eur. Respir. J. 3(4), 392-396 (1990).

2. Lucas, J.M., Heinlein, C., Kim, T., et al. The androgen-regulated protease TMPRSS2 activates a proteolytic cascade involving components of the tumor microenvironment and promotes prostate cancer metastasis. Cancer Discov. 4(11), 1310-1325 (2014).

3. Yanaura, S., Imamura, N., and Misawa, M. Effects of expectorants on the canine tracheal ciliated cells. Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 31(6), 957-965 (1981).