• 셀메드
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.2.1-2.5
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• 2013

Ephedra and ephedra alkaloids are sympathomimetic compounds extracted from the genus Ephedra. They have been used to treat colds and provide cough relief for centuries in oriental medicine. Recently, it has been reported that Ephedra plays a crucial role in weight loss and the enhancement of athletic performances. However, the overuse of Ephedra causes cardiovascular side effects such as increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and palpitations. Ephedra's adverse effects also were mentioned in Shan Han Lun, a famous formulary in traditional Chinese medicine. The present study demonstrated Ephedra's effects and the deficiency of Yang due to the overuse of Ephedra.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.37-57
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effects of fermented Ephedra sinica (FMH) nano-extract compared Ephedra sinica (MH) on 3T3 L1 cell viability, lipid and glycometabolism, Obes rats' behavior and state-trait anxiety. Methods and materials : Each of 6 rats was divided into a normal diet, HFD, MH, and FMH. We fed a HFD group of rats a high fat diet and administered normal saline for 8 weeks. And we fed an experimental group of rats a high fat diet and administered an extract of Ephedra sinica and fermentated Ephedra sinica for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed to determine their chemical composition. Ephedra sinica and fermentated Ephedra sinica was examined in effects of 3T3 L1 cell viability, lipid and glycometabolism, rats' behavior and state-trait anxiety. Results : 1. Ephedra sinica and fermentated Ephedra sinica didn't induce cytotoxicity at 3L3 L1 cell. 2. Fermentated Ephedra sinica by Lactococcus confusus inhibit $PPAR-{\gamma}$ activation and promote $TNF-{\alpha}$ activation. 3. In MH and FMH group, the body weight and FER decrease occured significantly than in HFD group. 4. No side effect of Ephedra sinica appeared in FMH group, so fermentated Ephedra sinica have a capacity of anti-anxiety. 5. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and creatine of HFD+Ephedra sinica, HFD+LO group were decreased compared with that of HFD group. Decreasing rates of sample group was significant(p<0.05). 6. In both MH and FMH group serum HDL was increased(P>0.05). 7. In MH group only TG was decreased, but in FMH group total cholesterol, TG, and glucose were decreased(P>0.05). Conclusions : Fermentated Ephedra sinica by Lactococcus confusus was superior to Ephedra sinica in capacity of anti-obesity. Further fermentated Ephedra sinica have no Ephedra sinica's side effect.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.144-152
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• 2009

Background : Ephedra (Ephedra sinica) has been widely used to treat respiratory disease in traditional medicine of East Asia for over a hundred years. Despite safety concerns raised by some, the use of ephedra in traditional medicine is documented over more than 1,800 years. It is well established that ephedra is one of the central medicines in Korean 'Seseng constitution' medicine. In Sasang constitution medicine, all humans can be divided into one of four types: Soeumin, Soyangin, Taeumin or Taeyangin, and each constitution type has their own typical characteristics. Accordingly, it is hypothesized that the adverse effects of ephedra differ depending on the Sasang constitution classification. Objectives : The aim of this study was to determine adverse effects of ephedra which is classified as a Taeumin herb, and to observe whether the response differs or not. according to Sasang constitution classification. Methods : The study design was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. The subjects were healthy adults 20 - 50 years old who agreed to participate in this study. They were allocated through randomization to either ephedra group (N=55) or placebo group (N=24). where ephedra extract (6 g of dried ephedra) and placebo with similar opaque capsules were given twice for one day. To compare the adverse events of ephedra according to Sasang constitution classification, we analyzed blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), pulse rate, the morning questionnaire, and patient's global assessment scale score for well known adverse events: palpitation, headache, sweating, tiredness, dyspepsia, and dry mouth. Results : After ingestion of ephedra, the pulse rate had a significant increase in all constitution types. The changes of diastolic pressure in Soeumin and the changes of pulse rate in Soeumin, Soyangin and Taeumin had a significant increase in the ephedra over the control group. In the ephedra group, the palpitation and dyspepsia score of the patients' global assessment scale had a significant increase in Soeumin, with palpitation and sweating score increasing in Soyangin. Others observations were insignificant results. Conclusion : The results of this study may confirm that the physical responses or adverse effects of herbs differ for each type of Sasang constitution. Future studies using other herbs will be required to ascertain the herbal drug reaction of Sasang constitutions.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.836-844
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• 2006

Background: Mahuang (Ephedra sinica STAPF) is well known as an herbal medicine and has been widely used to reduce body weight and increase athletic ability. However, as a result of reporting many cases of adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, use of dietary supplements containing ephedra was prohibited by the FDA. Objectives : The object of this study was to find the effectiveness of ephedra on weight loss without severe adverse effect. Methods : 16 healthy volunteers consisting of an ephedra group (N=8) and a placebo group (N=8) were investigated. Study form was a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial. The ephedra group took 12g of ephedra while the placebo group took 12g of glutinous rice powder. Both groups were measured with BCA (body composition analysis) on weight loss and with HRV (heart rate variability) on its adverse effect before and after medication. Results : The following results were obtained after taking 12g of ephedra for 14 days. In the ephedra group, body weight reduced significantly. In the placebo group, there were no significant differences of body weight between before and after placebo treatment. There was a slight increase of heart beat rate and deactivation of cardiac activity. Parasympathetic nerves were deactivated, but balances of autonomic nervous system were well maintained. Conclusions : The results suggest that ephedra in healthy adults tends to reduce body weight and deactivation of autonomic nervous system and cardiac activity.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.168-180
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• 2022

Ephedra is a genus of the Ephedraceae family and is found in temperate regions, such as Central Asia and Europe. Among the various ephedra species, Ma Huang (Ephedra herb) is derived from the aerial parts of Ephedra sinica S tapf, Ephedra equisetina Bunge, and Ephedra intermedia Schrenk & C.A. Mey. Ma Huang contains various ephedra alkaloids, including (-)-ephedrine, (+)-pseudoephedrine, (-)-norephedrine, (+)-norpseudoephedrine, (-)-methylephedrine, and (+)-methylpseudoephedrine, which are found naturally as single enantiomers, although they can be prepared as racemates. Although the use of Ma Huang in foods is prohibited in Korea, products containing Ma Huang can be imported, and so it is necessary to develop a suitable analytical technique for the detection of Ma Huang in foods. Herein, we report the development of analytical methods for the detection of ephedra alkaloids in products containing Ma Huang. Following sample purification by solid phase extraction, quantitative analysis was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Additionally, the enantiomers were successfully separated using HPLC-DAD. We successfully analyzed various food samples, where the ephedra alkaloids were qualitatively and quantitatively determined, and the enantiomers were separated. It is expected that these methods may contribute toward preventing the distribution of illegal products containing Ma Huang.

• 대한중풍순환신경학회지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2014

■ Objectives This study was designed to investigate the effects of Ephedra Herba hexane fraction on lipid levels in serum and lipid accumulation in liver tissue in Hyperlipidemic mice. ■ Methods Hyperlipidemia was induced by providing high fat diet for 4 weeks. Normal group was provided with normal diet. CTL groupwas provided with high fat diet. Ephedra Herba hexane fraction group was provieded with high fat diet and administered orally in the concentration of 1.5mg/kg body weight/day for 2 weeks. In this experiment, effects on total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, AST, ALT, fasting blood glucose in serum were measured. In addition histopathological changes in liver tissue were also observed. ■ Results Ephedra Herba hexane fraction did not affects weight gain, serum AST and ALT in hyperlipidemic mice. Oral administration of Ephedra Herba hexane fraction lowered levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride, which were elevated by induction of hyperlipidemia. In addition, Ephedra Herba hexane fraction group showed downward tendency of lipid accumulation compared with CTL group. Finally, administration of Ephedra Herba hexane fraction lowered fasting blood glucose significantly. And Ephedra Herba hexane fraction also ameliorates anti-oxidative stress systems in internal organs which play key role in disease prevention. ■ Conclusion These results suggest that Ephedra Herba hexane fraction can prevent lipid accumulation in liver tissue through regulation of dyslipidemia and hyperglycaemia.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.153-159
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• 2005

본 연구는 한방제제의 구성 약재인 마황이라는 천연한방소재로부터 미백효과가 있는 화장품 원료를 개발하고자 하였다. 본 실험에서 마황추출물의 tyrosinase 억제 효과를 확인하고 마황추출 과정을 세분화하여 methylene chloride 및 물분획물을 얻었으며 이들을 가지고 다시 tyrosinase 억제 실험을 실시하였다. 그 결과 수층부분에서만 $0.2\%$ 농도에서 $60.6\%$의 tyrosinase 억제 효과를 보여주었으며 이후 수층부분만을 농축하여 L-DOPA 산화억제 실험 및 B-16 melanoma를 이용한 미백 실험을 실시하였다. 그 결과 마황추출물 $0.5\%$ 농도에서 $87\%$의 L-DOPA 산화억제 효과를 보여주었으며, $0.75\%$에서는 $98.8\%$의 억제효과를 보여주었다. 또한 B-16 melanoma에서는 $0.05\%$에서 $70.2\%$, $0.075\%$에서는 $79.9\%$의 억제효과를 보여주었다. 그리고 수층부분만을 농축한 마황추출물의 in vivo상에서의 미백 효과를 검증하기 위하여 마황추출물 $0.5\%$를 함유한 제형으로 미백 임상실험을 실시하였다. 그 결과 마황추출물을 함유한 제형에서 10주 경과 후에 육안 및 기기평가 모두에서 미백효과를 보여주었으며 통계적으로도 유의한 차이(p<0.05)를 보여주었다.

• 생약학회지
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.93-96
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• 2017

Ephedra alkaloids, (-)-ephedrine, (+)-pseudoephedrine, (-)-N-methylephedrine, (+)-N-methylpseudoephedrine, (-)-norephedrine and (+)-norpseudoephedrine, from ephedra herb are sympathomimetic agonists causing an increase of metabolism, blood pressure and perspiration. In this study, we developed the validation method of (+)-pseudoephedrine and (-)-ephedrine, two major ephedra alkaloids in Ephedra spp., by high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet spectrometer (HPLC-UV). HPLC analysis was performed using a HECTOR-M C18 column operating at $35^{\circ}C$, and UV detection at 215nm. The mobile phase used a gradient flow with 25 mM SDS in water (A) and acetonitrile (B).

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.52-55
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• 2003

The aerial parts of Ephedra aphylla afforded two alkaloids belonging to two different classes. The first alkaloid, ephedradine C, belonging to the spermine alkaloid, a group characterized by its hypotensive effect. The other alkaloid, hordenine is a phenylalkylamine alkaloid isolated for the first time from Ephedra Species. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and the assignment of some carbons in ephedradine C was achieved based on 2 D-NMR experiments.

• 생약학회지
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.226-233
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• 2022

Ephedra herbs are defined as stem of Ephedra sinica , Ephedra intermedia and Ephedra equisetina in the Korean Pharmacopoeia. It is important to use pure herbs to derive the safety and efficacy of herbal medicine. However, the identification of these herbs by conventional taxonomic methods is difficult. Recently, many studies have applied these DNA barcoding for the identification of herbal medicinal species using standard DNA markers. In this study, we report a case study in which the identification of Ephedra species was done by DNA barcoding. For identification of Ephedra species, 17 samples were collected, and a reference DNA barcode library was developed using 6 markers (rbcL, matK, ITS2, ycf1, ycf3, and rpoC2). To develop KASP-SNP markers, we selected 4 markers (ycf1, ycf3, rpl2, and rbcL), which were able to distinguish three Ephedra species. In the result, the specific markers for each of the three Ephedra were clustered into FAM-positive section, whereas non-targeted plants were clustered either HEX-positive or negative section. Therefore, we have developed KASP assay that allow rapid and easy Ephedra species identification using three KASP markers.