| abstract |
A method is provided for increasing mucus liquefaction in patients having excessive mucus or mucus with increased viscoelastic, tacky, or adhesive properties. [Solution] Mucolytic agents represented by formulas (Ia)-(Id) are provided, wherein structural variables R1, R2, R5 and R6 are defined herein. Also provided are various methods of treatment utilizing the mucolytic properties of the compounds represented by Formulas (Ia)-(Id). One object of the present invention relates to a method for increasing mucus liquefaction in patients with excessive mucus or mucus with increased viscoelastic, tacky, or adhesive properties. The method comprises contacting mucus of a patient having abnormal or excessive mucus with a composition comprising a mucolytic compound containing a dithiol group and reducing mucus viscoelasticity by reduction of mucin disulfide bonds. [Selection] Figure 1 |