Compounds that are considered to increase the volume of secretions in the respiratory tract, so facilitating their removal by ciliary action and coughing. Compare with mucolytics, which decrease the viscosity of mucus, facilitating its removal by ciliary action and expectoration, and antitussives, which suppress the cough reflex.
ChEBI ID: 77035
| Member | Definition | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzene-1-sulfonic acid | An arenesulfonic acid that is guaiacol sulfated at position 4. Commonly used (in the form of its potassium salt) as an expectorant. | 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzene-1-sulfonic acid |
| emetine | A pyridoisoquinoline comprising emetam having methoxy substituents at the 6'-, 7'-, 10- and 11-positions. It is an antiprotozoal agent and emetic. It inhibits SARS-CoV2, Zika and Ebola virus replication and displays antimalarial, antineoplastic and antiamoebic properties. | emetine |
| guaiacol | A monomethoxybenzene that consists of phenol with a methoxy substituent at the ortho position. | guaiacol |
| naringenin | The (S)-enantiomer of naringenin. | (S)-naringenin |
| potassium iodide | A metal iodide salt with a K(+) counterion. It is a scavenger of hydroxyl radicals. | potassium iodide |
| Timeframe | Studies, Drugs with This Role(%) | All Drugs % |
|---|---|---|
| pre-1990 | 2,714 (39.98) | 18.7374 |
| 1990's | 651 (9.59) | 18.2507 |
| 2000's | 1,058 (15.58) | 29.6817 |
| 2010's | 1,685 (24.82) | 24.3611 |
| 2020's | 681 (10.03) | 2.80 |
| Publication Type | Studies, Drugs with this Role (%) | All Drugs (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Trials | 142 (1.95%) | 5.53% |
| Reviews | 232 (3.18%) | 6.00% |
| Case Studies | 380 (5.21%) | 4.05% |
| Observational | 4 (0.05%) | 0.25% |
| Other | 6,538 (89.61%) | 84.16% |
| Protein | Taxonomy | Measurement | Average (mM) | Bioassay(s) | Drugs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| activating transcription factor 6 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 1.8403 | 1 | 3 |
| AR protein | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 10.7670 | 8 | 10 |
| ATAD5 protein, partial | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 0.7128 | 3 | 3 |
| Ataxin-2 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 0.3084 | 2 | 2 |
| ATPase family AAA domain-containing protein 5 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 0.3349 | 2 | 2 |
| Cellular tumor antigen p53 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 2.2827 | 1 | 2 |
| cellular tumor antigen p53 isoform a | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 0.0126 | 1 | 1 |
| Chain A, Beta-lactamase | Escherichia coli K-12 | Potency | 58.9127 | 1 | 2 |
| Chain A, Ferritin light chain | Equus caballus (horse) | Potency | 11.2202 | 1 | 1 |
| Chain A, HADH2 protein | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 19.9526 | 1 | 1 |
| Chain A, MAJOR APURINIC/APYRIMIDINIC ENDONUCLEASE | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 44.6684 | 1 | 1 |
| Chain A, TYROSYL-DNA PHOSPHODIESTERASE | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 7.0795 | 1 | 1 |
| Chain B, HADH2 protein | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 19.9526 | 1 | 1 |
| cytochrome P450 2C19 precursor | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 5.9622 | 1 | 2 |
| cytochrome P450 2C9 precursor | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 12.5893 | 1 | 1 |
| cytochrome P450 2C9, partial | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 5.3547 | 1 | 1 |
| cytochrome P450 2D6 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 37.9083 | 1 | 1 |
| cytochrome P450 3A4 isoform 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 5.0119 | 2 | 2 |
| cytochrome P450 family 3 subfamily A polypeptide 4 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 4.8867 | 2 | 2 |
| cytochrome P450, family 19, subfamily A, polypeptide 1, isoform CRA_a | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 0.2371 | 1 | 1 |
| estrogen nuclear receptor alpha | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 6.0771 | 8 | 11 |
| estrogen receptor 2 (ER beta) | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 16.1296 | 1 | 2 |
| estrogen-related nuclear receptor alpha | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 8.9809 | 6 | 9 |
| euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 11.5287 | 1 | 2 |
| EWS/FLI fusion protein | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 17.0688 | 2 | 2 |
| farnesoid X nuclear receptor | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 15.1004 | 2 | 2 |
| flap endonuclease 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 29.9349 | 1 | 1 |
| G | Vesicular stomatitis virus | Potency | 5.3547 | 1 | 1 |
| GABA theta subunit | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-1 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-2 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-3 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-4 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-5 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-6 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit beta-1 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit beta-2 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit beta-3 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit delta | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit epsilon | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit gamma-1 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit gamma-2 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit gamma-3 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit pi | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 5.0119 | 1 | 1 |
| geminin | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 0.0046 | 1 | 1 |
| GLI family zinc finger 3 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 3.6509 | 2 | 3 |
| glucocorticoid receptor [Homo sapiens] | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 31.7618 | 1 | 2 |
| Glutamate receptor 2 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 0.2660 | 1 | 1 |
| Histamine H2 receptor | Cavia porcellus (domestic guinea pig) | Potency | 12.5893 | 1 | 3 |
| HLA class I histocompatibility antigen, B alpha chain | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 5.3547 | 1 | 1 |
| hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha subunit | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 1.8996 | 1 | 1 |
| Inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 5.3547 | 1 | 2 |
| Integrin alpha-IIb | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 0.0126 | 1 | 1 |
| Integrin beta-3 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 0.0126 | 1 | 1 |
| Interferon beta | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 1.5189 | 3 | 5 |
| lethal factor (plasmid) | Bacillus anthracis str. A2012 | Potency | 6.7946 | 1 | 2 |
| Luciferase | Photinus pyralis (common eastern firefly) | Potency | 21.3313 | 1 | 1 |
| NPC intracellular cholesterol transporter 1 precursor | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 58.0479 | 1 | 1 |
| nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 isoform 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 13.4446 | 2 | 3 |
| nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 isoform 2 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 7.3078 | 1 | 1 |
| Nuclear receptor ROR-gamma | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 0.1496 | 1 | 1 |
| nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group I, member 2 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 0.1000 | 1 | 1 |
| nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group I, member 3 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 22.1003 | 3 | 4 |
| parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related peptide receptor precursor | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 112.2020 | 1 | 1 |
| Parkin | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 9.2000 | 1 | 1 |
| peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 6.6390 | 2 | 2 |
| peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 44.3797 | 1 | 2 |
| PPM1D protein | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 0.6584 | 1 | 2 |
| pregnane X nuclear receptor | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 15.5879 | 1 | 3 |
| pregnane X receptor | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 79.4328 | 1 | 1 |
| progesterone receptor | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 11.8832 | 1 | 1 |
| Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor 3 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 112.2020 | 1 | 1 |
| RAR-related orphan receptor gamma | Mus musculus (house mouse) | Potency | 23.4197 | 2 | 3 |
| ras-related protein Rab-9A | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 18.3564 | 1 | 1 |
| retinoic acid nuclear receptor alpha variant 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 29.3992 | 3 | 5 |
| retinoid X nuclear receptor alpha | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 22.0572 | 1 | 1 |
| serine/threonine-protein kinase mTOR isoform 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 3.5306 | 2 | 2 |
| TDP1 protein | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 0.1690 | 2 | 2 |
| thioredoxin reductase | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 3.5481 | 1 | 1 |
| thyroid hormone receptor beta isoform 2 | Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) | Potency | 7.1934 | 3 | 4 |
| thyroid stimulating hormone receptor | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 5.0119 | 2 | 2 |
| USP1 protein, partial | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 39.8107 | 1 | 1 |
| v-jun sarcoma virus 17 oncogene homolog (avian) | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 0.0020 | 1 | 1 |
| vitamin D (1,25- dihydroxyvitamin D3) receptor | Homo sapiens (human) | Potency | 10.6822 | 1 | 1 |
| Voltage-dependent calcium channel gamma-2 subunit | Mus musculus (house mouse) | Potency | 0.2660 | 1 | 1 |
| Protein | Taxonomy | Measurement | Average (mM) | Bioassay(s) | Drugs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 4.9600 | 1 | 1 |
| 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 14.4000 | 2 | 2 |
| Acetylcholinesterase | Electrophorus electricus (electric eel) | IC50 | 100.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Acetylcholinesterase | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 2,045.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 28.8700 | 1 | 1 |
| Alpha-2A adrenergic receptor | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 0.0380 | 1 | 1 |
| Alpha-2A adrenergic receptor | Homo sapiens (human) | Ki | 0.0140 | 1 | 1 |
| Alpha-2C adrenergic receptor | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 0.1820 | 1 | 1 |
| Alpha-2C adrenergic receptor | Homo sapiens (human) | Ki | 0.0260 | 1 | 1 |
| Amine oxidase [flavin-containing] A | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 955.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Amine oxidase [flavin-containing] B | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 288.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Aromatase | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 2.9493 | 10 | 10 |
| ATP-binding cassette sub-family C member 3 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 133.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| ATP-dependent translocase ABCB1 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 72.7571 | 7 | 7 |
| Bile salt export pump | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 422.6667 | 3 | 3 |
| Calmodulin-1 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 22.0100 | 1 | 1 |
| Canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 133.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Carbonic anhydrase 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | Ki | 108.8712 | 4 | 8 |
| Carbonic anhydrase 12 | Homo sapiens (human) | Ki | 0.0443 | 1 | 1 |
| Carbonic anhydrase 2 | Homo sapiens (human) | Ki | 3,314.2138 | 4 | 8 |
| Carbonic anhydrase 4 | Homo sapiens (human) | Ki | 82.9785 | 3 | 7 |
| Carbonic anhydrase 5A, mitochondrial | Homo sapiens (human) | Ki | 25,000.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Carbonic anhydrase 6 | Homo sapiens (human) | Ki | 100.1540 | 1 | 5 |
| Carbonic anhydrase 7 | Homo sapiens (human) | Ki | 0.0043 | 1 | 1 |
| Carbonic anhydrase 9 | Homo sapiens (human) | Ki | 7,000.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Carbonyl reductase [NADPH] 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 21.4800 | 1 | 1 |
| Carbonyl reductase [NADPH] 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | Ki | 3.4300 | 1 | 1 |
| Carboxylic ester hydrolase | Equus caballus (horse) | IC50 | 1,493.7000 | 1 | 1 |
| Chain A, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 292.0000 | 1 | 9 |
| Cholinesterase | Equus caballus (horse) | IC50 | 100.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Cytochrome P450 1A1 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 15.1670 | 1 | 1 |
| Cytochrome P450 1A2 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 26.3390 | 1 | 1 |
| Cytochrome P450 1B1 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 3.6560 | 1 | 1 |
| Cytochrome P450 2C9 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 3.3000 | 1 | 1 |
| Cytochrome P450 2D6 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 3.3000 | 1 | 1 |
| Cytochrome P450 3A4 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 3.3000 | 1 | 1 |
| Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase | Leishmania major | IC50 | 1,037.0000 | 1 | 2 |
| Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 0.2400 | 1 | 1 |
| Endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 0.0965 | 2 | 2 |
| Estrogen receptor | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 75.3020 | 1 | 1 |
| Estrogen receptor beta | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 13.4730 | 1 | 1 |
| Glucose transporter | Leishmania mexicana | IC50 | 0.0810 | 1 | 1 |
| Hexose transporter 1 | Plasmodium falciparum (malaria parasite P. falciparum) | IC50 | 0.0900 | 1 | 1 |
| Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 0.0965 | 2 | 2 |
| Inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 2 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 30.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Inositol polyphosphate multikinase | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 30.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Integrase | Human immunodeficiency virus 1 | IC50 | 13.9000 | 3 | 3 |
| Lactoylglutathione lyase | Homo sapiens (human) | Ki | 17.3780 | 1 | 1 |
| Multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | Ki | 11.6000 | 2 | 2 |
| Multidrug resistance-associated protein 4 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 133.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Neuraminidase | Influenza A virus (A/Wilson-Smith/1933(H1N1)) | IC50 | 100.0000 | 3 | 3 |
| Pancreatic triacylglycerol lipase | Sus scrofa (pig) | IC50 | 100.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Proteasome subunit beta type-5 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 45.2000 | 2 | 2 |
| Receptor-type tyrosine-protein kinase FLT3 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 10.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Serine hydrolase RBBP9 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 7.8000 | 1 | 1 |
| Solute carrier family 2, facilitated glucose transporter member 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 0.1080 | 1 | 1 |
| Substance-K receptor | Cavia porcellus (domestic guinea pig) | IC50 | 100.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Substance-P receptor | Cavia porcellus (domestic guinea pig) | IC50 | 100.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 130.1000 | 1 | 1 |
| Xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase | Homo sapiens (human) | IC50 | 50.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Protein | Taxonomy | Measurement | Average (mM) | Bioassay(s) | Drugs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 | Homo sapiens (human) | EC50 | 0.0325 | 1 | 2 |
| ATP-dependent translocase ABCB1 | Mus musculus (house mouse) | Kd | 28.5000 | 1 | 1 |
| Chain A, Hth-type Transcriptional Regulator Ttgr | Pseudomonas putida | Kd | 18.0000 | 1 | 2 |
| Chain A, Transthyretin | Homo sapiens (human) | Kd | 2.2900 | 1 | 5 |
| Chain B, Transthyretin | Homo sapiens (human) | Kd | 2.2900 | 1 | 2 |
| NS5 | Zika virus | EC50 | 0.0308 | 2 | 2 |
| Procathepsin L | Homo sapiens (human) | EC50 | 0.0325 | 1 | 2 |
| Replicase polyprotein 1a | Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus | EC50 | 0.0325 | 1 | 2 |
| Replicase polyprotein 1ab | Betacoronavirus England 1 | EC50 | 0.0325 | 1 | 2 |
| Replicase polyprotein 1ab | Human coronavirus 229E | EC50 | 0.0325 | 1 | 2 |
| Replicase polyprotein 1ab | Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 | EC50 | 0.0325 | 1 | 2 |
| Replicase polyprotein 1ab | Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus | EC50 | 0.0325 | 1 | 2 |
| Sex hormone-binding globulin | Homo sapiens (human) | Kd | 14.5694 | 1 | 2 |
| Spike glycoprotein | Betacoronavirus England 1 | EC50 | 0.0325 | 1 | 2 |
| Spike glycoprotein | Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus | EC50 | 0.0325 | 1 | 2 |
| Transmembrane protease serine 2 | Homo sapiens (human) | EC50 | 0.0325 | 1 | 2 |
| Protein | Taxonomy | Measurement | Average (mM) | Bioassay(s) | Drugs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATP-dependent translocase ABCB1 | Homo sapiens (human) | Km | 6.0000 | 1 | 1 |
| Delta-type opioid receptor | Homo sapiens (human) | Ke | 3.6800 | 1 | 1 |
| Endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 | Homo sapiens (human) | MIC | 0.3000 | 1 | 1 |
| Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha | Homo sapiens (human) | MIC | 0.3000 | 1 | 1 |
| Kappa-type opioid receptor | Homo sapiens (human) | Ke | 1.7000 | 1 | 1 |
| Mu-type opioid receptor | Homo sapiens (human) | Ke | 2.3000 | 1 | 1 |
| Prenyltransferase homolog | Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) | Km | 1,850.0000 | 2 | 2 |