Catechins and other phenolic compounds in herb of eight Ephedra species in comparison to Camellia sinensis

Abstract

Using HPLC-DAD the presence of catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, kaempferol and protocatehuic acid was analysed in herb extracts of eight Ephedra species (Ephedra sinica, Ephedra major, Ephedra chilensis, Ephedra ciliata, Ephedra foeminea, Ephedra equisetina, Ephedra gerardiana and Ephedra distachya). For comparison purposes, the same phenolics were determined in Camellia sinensis herb, which is a common source of catechins and a medicinal plant with valuable antioxidant properties. The catechin content in Ephedra spp. ranged between 0.83 mg/g d.w. -8.77 mg/g d.w. , while the epicatechin content was between 0.11 mg/g d.w. -3.38 mg/g d.w. . In comparison to black tea, Ephedra major, Ephedra distachya and Ephedra equisetina had a higher catechin content. The selected Ephedra spp. are rich in catechins and the obtained results serve as the chemical rationale for the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities of Ephedra that are currently being investigated.

Ethnobotanical Uses and Pharmacological Activities of Moroccan Ephedra Species

“…From a phytochemical viewpoint, this species has been less investigated than the other aforementioned species. This herb is rich in catechins, which possess antioxidant activities [145], and also contains large amounts of pseudoephedrine (1.25-1.59 % of dry weight), a sympathomimetic used to treat symptoms of the common cold and flu, sinusitis, asthma, and bronchitis [74]. The subspecies E. distachya subsp.…”