Safety of ephedra: lessons learned

Soni, Madhusudan G.; Carabin, Ioana G.; Griffiths, James C.; Burdock, George A.

doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2003.07.006

Cited by 69 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Traditionally, EH has been used for the treatment of respiratory disorders. Ephedra alkaloids, the most famous ingredients of EH, for example, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and methylephedrine, are well known to be a sympathomimetic agonist at both α-and β-adrenergic receptors and are used for this purpose in bronchodilators (21,22). It has also been reported that ephedrine and methylephedrine have an antitussive effect in humans (30) and animal models (31,32).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To clarify which crude drug of those comprising EPP is crucial for the antitussive effect, we focused on EH because it is one of the herbal medicines contained in both EPP and SGM, and it has a long history of use for the treatment of respiratory disorders (21,22). Treatment with 0.3% EHE significantly decreased the number of coughs, whereas EPPw / oEHE did not (Fig.…”

Section: Effects Of Kampo Extractsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Eppikahangeto, a Kampo Formula, and Ephedrae herba Against Citric Acid-Induced Laryngeal Cough in Guinea Pigs

et al. 2006

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Abstract. To evaluate the efficacy of three common antitussive Kampo formulas, eppikahangeto (EPP), bakumondoto (BAK), and shoseiryutogomakyokansekito (SGM), a new cough model of guinea pig was used, which could specifically induce a laryngeal cough by microinjection of citric acid solution into the larynx. Kampo extract was dissolved in water and the animals were given access ad libitum for 3 days, and then the number of coughs during 10 min was counted. EPP extract decreased the number of coughs dose-dependently (0.3% extract, −22.9 ± 6.6%, P<0.01; 1.0% extract, −32.4 ± 5.5%, P<0.01). BAK extract and SGM extract had no significant effect. Intraperitoneal injection of codeine (60 mg / kg) also decreased the number of coughs (−36.1 ± 9.1%, P<0.05). Furthermore, Ephedrae herba (EH) extract reduced the number of coughs (−18.3 ± 6.0%, P<0.05), but the extract of EPP without EH did not. These results suggest that EPP has an antitussive effect against laryngeally-induced cough in guinea pigs, and the crucial herbal medicine is EH.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Effects Of Kampo Extractsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Eppikahangeto, a Kampo Formula, and Ephedrae herba Against Citric Acid-Induced Laryngeal Cough in Guinea Pigs

et al. 2006

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“…It is a botanical resource of ephedrine alkaloids, used as a natural stimulant or a thermogenic diet aid (29). The primary use of its products has been for weight loss, weight management, and energy enhancement for thousands of years in traditional oriental medicine (16,17). However, the adverse effects, which are related to the consumption of ephedra as a dietary supplement, have been reported ranging from minor complaints such as palpitation to death.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the adverse effects, which are related to the consumption of ephedra as a dietary supplement, have been reported ranging from minor complaints such as palpitation to death. The adverse effects appear to be the result of overuse, inconsistent potency, individual sensitivity, interactions with drugs and other products, and contaminations included (16).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…ES has traditionally been used in oriental medicine for thousands of years, for example, to induce perspiration and as an anti-allergy agent. These days, it is a major ingredient of herbal formulas used to relieve pain and headaches, to control body weight, to lower fever, and to alleviate inflammatory responses (16,17). Although there have been several reports about the anti-inflammatory activities of ES, little is known about the medicinal effect of ES on the inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, at molecular levels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anti-arthritic Effects of Ephedra sinica STAPF Herb-Acupuncture: Inhibition of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Adjuvant-Induced Polyarthritis

et al. 2006

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Abstract. Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of water distillates of Ephedra sinica STAPF (ES), in herb-acupuncture, on the inflammatory responses of arthritis was investigated using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/ lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human macrophage and adjuvant-induced arthritic rat. The luciferase reporter vectors driven by the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and cyclooxygenase-2 promoters were transiently transfected into U937 cells, which were then differentiated and stimulated by PMA and LPS, respectively, to develop an in vitro anti-inflammation assay system. The luciferase activities, observed in the activated U937 cells, were significantly inhibited by ES herb-acupuncture, compared to those of PD98509 and berberine. To evaluate ES herb-acupuncture as a novel anti-arthritic therapy, a polyarthritic rat model was developed using heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and 50 µl of ES distillate was subcutaneously injected into the ST36 acupoint on each knee joint. While the articular indexes of arthritic rats were evidently decreased by ES herb-acupuncture, their body weights did not regain their initial levels. This may be due to the accelerating effects of ES on weight-loss and fat consumption. The mRNA expressions of TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-6 genes, which were closely stimulated in the arthritic rat joints, were found to be restored to the normal levels through the ES treatment. In the case of IL-1β, the recovery was not significant but substantial. The anti-arthritic effect of ES herb-acupuncture was not found in the ES-treated / non-acupoint group. In conclusion, the ES herb-acupuncture into the ST36 acupoint was found to be effective in alleviating the inflammatory response and thus arthritic symptoms in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats.

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Ma Huang (EphedraAlkaloids)

Barceloux

2008

Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances

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Safety of ephedra: lessons learned

Cited by 69 publications

References 54 publications

Effects of Eppikahangeto, a Kampo Formula, and Ephedrae herba Against Citric Acid-Induced Laryngeal Cough in Guinea Pigs

Effects of Eppikahangeto, a Kampo Formula, and Ephedrae herba Against Citric Acid-Induced Laryngeal Cough in Guinea Pigs

Anti-arthritic Effects of Ephedra sinica STAPF Herb-Acupuncture: Inhibition of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Adjuvant-Induced Polyarthritis

Ma Huang (EphedraAlkaloids)

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