• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.65-69
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• 1999

By bioassay guided fractionation followed by chromatographic separation of the MeOH extract from the fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. (Rutaceae), a new cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor was isolated and identified as an alkaloid, rutaecarpine. Other alkaloids such as evodiamine and dehydroevodiamine together with limonoids were also isolated and characterized.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2004

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Ephedra Sinica and Evodia Rutaecarpa on resting metabolic rate(RMR), weight and body composition in obese women during low-calorie diet. Methods: We recruited 90 healthy premenopausal women$(body\;mass\;index{\geq}25kg/m^2)$ and randomly assigned to three groups(ephedra group, evodia group and placebo group). Subjects were administered Ephedra Sinica(6g twice a day) or Evodia Rutaecarpa(6g twice a day) or placebo in a double-blind fashion and participated in low-calorie diet for 8 weeks. Resting metabolic rate and body composition were measured at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. Results: RMR change for 4 weeks was significantly higher in the ephedra group compared with the placebo group(p<.05). But the change for 8 weeks was not significant and the Evodia group showed no significant RMR change. Weight and percent body fat changes for 4 weeks and 8 weeks were significantly higher than the placebo group in the ephedra group(p<.05), but the Evodia group didn't show significant level. Conclusions: This study supports and emphasizes the benefits of herbal medicine in maintaining or increasing RMR during low-calorie diet. Especially Ephedra treatment was effective on significant maintainment of RMR, loss of weight and percent body fat(P<.05).

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.293-297
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• 2006

The fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa Benth (Rutaceae) has long been used for inflammatory disorders and some anti-inflammatory actions of its constituents such as dehydroevodiamine, evodiamine and rutaecarpine were previously reported. Since the pharmacological data is not sufficient to clearly establish the scientific rationale of anti-inflammatory medicinal use of this plant material and the search for its active principles is limited so far, three major constituents (evodiamine, rutaecarpine, goshuyuamide II) were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory cellular action mechanisms in the present study. From the results, evodiamine and rutaecarpine were found to strongly inhibit prostaglandin $E_2$ synthesis from lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 cells at $1-10{\mu}M$. Evodiamine inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 induction and NF-kB activation, while rutaecarpine did not. On the other hand, goshuyuamide II inhibited 5-lipoxygenase from RBL-1 cells $(IC_{50}=6.6{\mu}M)$, resulting in the reduced synthesis of leukotrienes. However, these three compounds were not inhibitory against inducible nitric oxide synthase-mediated nitric oxide production from RAW cells up to $50{\mu}M$. These pharmacological properties may provide the additional scientific rationale for anti-inflammatory use of the fruits of E. rutaecarpa.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3 s.63
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• pp.249-262
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• 2005

Backgrounds : As obesity prevails as an epidemic. diet programs including low-calorie diets are developed continuously. It is generally believed that a low-calorie diet is commonly followed by resting metabolic rate decrease and ultimate weight regain. Ephedra and Evodia are known to have sympathomimetic and anti-obesity effect. Objectives : This study was a prospective, double-blinded, randomized md placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of Ephedra sinica and Evodia rutaecarpa on resting metabolic rate (RMR), weight, body composition, and short-term safety in obese women on low-calorie diet. Methods : 125 otherwise healthy obese women (body mass Index ${\geq}\;25kg/m^2$) were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups: Ephedra group (n=41), Evodia group (n =45), and placebo group (n=39). Subjects were administered Ephedra extract in capsules (pseudo-ephedrine 31.52mg) or Evodia extract in capsules (evodiamine 6.75mg, rutaecarpine 0.66mg) or placebo capsules as well as participating in a low-calorie diet for 8 weeks, Resting metabolic rate and body composition were measured at baseline,4 and 8 weeks. Basic serum exams were performed to evaluate the short-term safety of the herbs and changes of lipid variables. Results : All three groups showed significant BMI decreases probably due to low-calorie diet. Among them, the Ephedra group manifested most prominent BMI-reducing effect and towered total cholesterol and triglycerides significantly. The RMR was not changed during the 8-week diet in all groups. No significant difference among the groups was found in RMR, either. Stbject with higher RMR than the mean at the baseline showed a tendency to keep their RMR more stable during the diet program. Conclusions : Ephedra with a low-calorie diet was effective in reducing BMI. RMR change was not compensated by herbal medicines. RMR change seemed to be affected rather by constitution and body composition than medicine. Ephedra and Evodia were proven to be safe for sort-term use in herbal form. Especially, Ephedra was effective in lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides during the 8 weeks.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.171-182
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• 2008

The aqueous extract of Schisandra chinensis, Evodia rutaecarpa and meal (SEM-Ex) has been traditionally used in the Oriental countries as an astringent. However, little is known about the effects of aqueous extract of SEM-Ex on dextran-sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of SEM-Ex on DSS-induced colitis in mice. An experimental colitis was induced by daily treatment with 5% DSS. SEM-Ex was orally administered from day 2 of DSS treatment in the different dose (10-50 mg/kg body weight). SEM-Ex reduced significantly clinical sign of DSS-induced colitis, including body weight loss, shorten colon length, increased disease activity index (DAI), and histological colon injury. Moreover, SEM-Ex suppressed significantly not only the serum haptoglobin levels and the activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO), but also the colon tissue expression levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in DSS-induced mice. In contrast, SEM-Ex increased significantly the colon tissue expression levels of granular colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) well known as anti-inflammatory cytokine. These results suggest that SEM-Ex administration could reduce significantly the clinical signs and regulate of chemokine and anti-inflammatory cytokine in DSS-induced model mice. Therefore, these properties may contribute to the strong anti-ulcerative colitis (UC) response effect of SEM-Ex.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.35-44
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• 2014

Objectives : Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth.(ER) and Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne (CS) have multiple applications and were known to have anti-inflammatory effects. In the current study, we investigated to clearly understand the mechanism of therapeutic role for CS, ER and their combination in CIA model mice. Methods : DBA/1OlaHsd mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen. After a second collagen immunization, mice were treated with CS, ER and their combination once a day for 7 weeks. Cytokine production and gene expression were assessed during CIA (collagen-induced arthritis) model mice in knee joint, lymph node (LN) using ELISA and FACS analysis. The severity of arthritis within the knee joints was evaluated by histological assessment of cartilage destruction and pannus formation. Result : Oral administration of CS, ER and their combination (150 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the progression of CIA, and significantly suppressed the progression of CIA and inhibited the production of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 in serum. The erosion of cartilage was dramatically reduced in mouse knees after treatment with CS plus ER. Conclusion : These result suggest that CS plus ER significantly suppressed the progression of CIA and that this action was characterized by the decreased production of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and collagen II specific antibody in serum.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.262-268
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• 2014

Rutaecarpine is one of the major alkaloids present in the fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa. In this study, rutaecarpine was evaluated, both in vitro and in vivo, for its hepatoprotective properties against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis. The results showed that rutaecarpine inhibited TAA-induced cytotoxicity, reduced the expression of the fibrogenic cytokine transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ ($TGF-{\beta}1$), and induced the expression of bcl-2. To evaluate its in vivo effects, animal models with TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis were utilized. Levels of liver tissue injury-associated enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were monitored. $TGF-{\beta}1$ and the ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA) were measured as markers of the protective effects on hepatic fibrosis. The AST and ALT levels in blood were greatly enhanced by TAA and completely blunted by rutaecarpine. Rutaecarpine led to the down-regulation of $TGF-{\beta}$ and Bax mRNA expression, as well as the up-regulation of Bcl-2 and $Bcl-X_L$ mRNA levels. In conclusion, rutaecarpine inhibited TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis and apoptosis by inducing the expression of Bcl-2 while blocking $TGF-{\beta}1$ in our TAA-intoxicated model.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.175-178
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• 2004

Rutaecarpine is one of quinazolinocarboline alkaloids found in Evodia rutaecarpa, a Rutaceous plant and it has shown various biological effects including antiinflammation. However, the effect of rutaecarpine on nervous system was not reported yet. In this study we investigated the general pharmacology of rutaecalpine on the central nervous system. Rutaecapine (4O and 400 mg/kg) did not change chemoshock induced by pentylenetetrazole. However, oral administration of rutaecarpine altered motor coordination examined by rotarod test, pentobarbital-induced sleeping time and acetic acid-induced writhing syndrome in mice at the doses of 40 and 400 mg/kg. Rutaecarpine also induced hypothermia in mice at both doses. The results suggest that rutaecapine possesses neuromodulating activities on central nervous system in addition to the various biological effects on the Periphery.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.432-438
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• 2018

Worldwide, caffeine is among the most commonly used stimulatory substances. Unfortunately, significant caffeine consumption is associated with several adverse effects, ranging from sleep disturbances (including insomnia) to cardiovascular problems. This study investigates whether treatment with the Evodia rutaecarpa aqueous extract (ERAE) from berries and its major molecular component, evodiamine, can reduce the adverse caffeine-induced sleep-related and excitation effects. We combined measurements from the pentobarbital-induced sleep test, the open field test, and the locomotor activity test in mice that had been dosed with caffeine. We found that ERAE and evodiamine administration reduced the degree of caffeine-induced sleep disruption during the sleep test. Additionally, we found that evodiamine significantly inhibits caffeine-induced excitation during the open field test, as well as decreasing hyperlocomotion in the locomotor activity test. Additional in vitro experiments showed that caffeine administration decreased the expression of ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid $(GABA)_A$ receptor subunits in the mouse hypothalamus. However, evodiamine treatment significantly reversed this expression reduction. Taken together, our results demonstrate that ERAE and its major compound, evodiamine, provide an excellent candidate for the treatment or prevention of caffeine-induced sleep disturbances and excitatory states, and that the mechanism of these beneficial effects acts, at least in part, through the $GABA_A$-ergic system.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.1 s.26
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• pp.57-63
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• 1980

The Pharmacologic action of ethanol extracts and essential substance obtained from fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa are studied. 1) Motility of the isolated rabbit-intestine was decreased in proportion to the concentration of essential substance. 2) Intestinal contraction induced by acetylcholine 10? 6g/ml was inhibited by the essential substance $10^{-5}g/ml$. 3) Contractile responses of the isolated rabbit-intestine by serotonin $10^{-5}g/ml$ and histamine $10^{-5}g/ml$ were depressed significantly with the essential substance $10^{-5}g/ml$. 4) Alpha adrenergic receptor blocking effect of dihydroergotamine was interfered significantly with the essential substance. 5) Analgesic effect in mice by acetic acid stimulating method was observed significantly with both of the ethanol extracts and essential substance. 6) Blood pressure and respiration of the rabbits were not significantly influenced with the essential substance.