The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity, screening the phytogenic chemical compounds, and to assess the alkaloids present in the E. intermedia to prove its uses in Pakistani folk medicines for the treatment of asthma and bronchitis. Antioxidant activity was analyzed by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate assay. Standard methods were used for the identification of cardiac glycosides, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthraquinones, and alkaloids. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for quantitative purpose of ephedrine alkaloids in E. intermedia. The quantitative separation was confirmed on Shimadzu 10AVP column (Shampack) of internal diameter (id) 3.0 mm and 50 mm in length. The extract of the solute in flow rate of 1 ml/min at the wavelength 210 nm and methanolic extract showed the antioxidant activity and powerful oxygen free radicals scavenging activities and the IC50 for the E. intermedia plant was near to the reference standard ascorbic acid. The HPLC method was useful for the quantitative purpose of ephedrine (E) and pseudoephedrine (PE) used for 45 samples of one species collected from central habitat in three districts (Ziarat, Shairani, and Kalat) of Balochistan. Results showed that average alkaloid substance in E. intermedia was as follows: PE (0.209%, 0.238%, and 0.22%) and E (0.0538%, 0.0666%, and 0.0514%).

Ephedra is herbal medicine used in the treatment of many diseases, especially asthma and urticaria. The aim of this study was to formulate topical formulations as a microemulsion, a gel and an ointment containing the Ephedra extracts of (E. Intermedia), collected from Balochistan, Pakistan and to evaluate their isolation, characterization and in vitro and ex vivo permeability release using markers. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for the quantification of markers, and in vitro and ex vivo studies were done by Franz diffusion cells. The kinetics release and permeability was checked by cuprophan dialysis membrane and natural rabbit skin to justify their stability for topical use. Of the three formulations, release behavior of microemulsion and gel was almost the same, and the ointment showed slow release. The cellulose membrane showed faster release than the rabbit skin; this arrangement can be shown as microemulsion > gel > ointment. However, Korsmeyer-Peppas release kinetics for the three formulations were observed for the membranes. This study demonstrates that it is necessary to assess the impact of release and permeability patterns of different formulations. In vitro and ex vivo experiments can be utilized to develop formulations of traditional medicines.

Parotid gland surgery can still be performed in a general surgery unit with comparable outcome. However, the operation should be performed in units with special interest and experience in surgery for parotid gland disorders.