Ephedra Research Articles

JS-ISH-ESH-1: DRUGS AND SUBSTANCES THAT INCREASE BLOOD PRESSURE

The use of herbal medications and substances that have been touted to raise BP is increasing globally with estimates for example 6 to 48 percent of persons use herbal therapies in Europe. Other medications such as NSAIDs are among the most widely used treatments globally. Several of such medications and substances may raise blood pressure or antagonize the BP lowering effects of antihypertensive therapy in individuals. The individual effect of these substances on blood pressure can be highly variable with greater increases noted in the elderly, those with higher baseline blood pressure, use of antihypertensive therapy, and co-existing renal disease. In this discussion, we will review the evidence for the most commonly implicated substances that have been considered to raise blood pressure including NSAIDs, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, and antidepressants. We will also review the evidence for herbal therapies that may raise BP. Coxibs are associated with a 3.9 mm Hg mean increase in SBP and nonselective NSAIDs 2.8 mm Hg compared with placebo. In meta-analyses, aspirin was not associated with a significant blood pressure increase. High regular acetaminophen dosing is associated with an increased risk of new onset hypertension. Oral contraceptives were associated with new onset hypertension in approximately 5 percent of users of high dose compounds that contain at least 50 mg estrogen but these high estrogen doses are not commonly used in current formulations. SNRI antidepressants were found to have a small increase in systolic blood pressure relative to SSRI antidepressants 1.5 mmHg. Patients prescribed SSRIs showed no significant differences in blood pressure changes compared with placebo. Despite their widespread use, there are few studies on the effects of herbal substances on blood pressure apart from licorice and ephedra or ma huang. Licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid that acts as an 11 beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 inhibitor causing pseudohyperaldosteronism. Given the widespread use of these medications and substances, physicians will have to screen for these medications and substances when assessing patients at risk for and with hypertension.

Herb-induced liver injury: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUNDThe use of herbal supplements and alternative medicines has been increasing in the last decades. Despite popular belief that the consumption of natural products is harmless, herbs might cause injury to various organs, particularly to the liver, which is responsible for their metabolism in the form of herb-induced liver injury (HILI).AIMTo identify herbal products associated with HILI and describe the type of lesion associated with each product.METHODSStudies were retrieved using Medical Subject Headings Descriptors combined with Boolean operators. Searches were run on the electronic databases Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, BIREME, LILACS, Cochrane Library for Systematic Reviews, SciELO, Embase, and Opengray.eu. Languages were restricted to English, Spanish, and Portuguese. There was no date of publication restrictions. The reference lists of the studies retrieved were searched manually. To access causality, the Maria and Victorino System of Causality Assessment in Drug Induced Liver Injury was used. Simple descriptive analysis were used to summarize the results.RESULTSThe search strategy retrieved 5918 references. In the final analysis, 446 references were included, with a total of 936 cases reported. We found 79 types of herbs or herbal compounds related to HILI. He-Shou-Wu, Green tea extract, Herbalife, kava kava, Greater celandine, multiple herbs, germander, hydroxycut, skullcap, kratom, Gynura segetum, garcinia cambogia, ma huang, chaparral, senna, and aloe vera were the most common supplements with HILI reported. Most of these patients had complete clinical recovery (82.8%). However, liver transplantation was necessary for 6.6% of these cases. Also, chronic liver disease and death were observed in 1.5% and 10.4% of the cases, respectively.CONCLUSIONHILI is normally associated with a good prognosis, once the implied product is withdrawn. Nevertheless, it is paramount to raise awareness in the medical and non-medical community of the risks of the indiscriminate use of herbal products.

Metabolomics-based study reveals the effect of lead (Pb) in the culture environment on Whitmania pigra

Whitmania pigra, called Mahuang (MH) in Chinese, has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for many years and is susceptible to Pb exposure in aquaculture environments. To understand the impact of Pb in the culture environment on MHs, we carried out a 50-day culture of MHs in environments with different levels of Pb pollution. Then, tissue samples of MHs reared in the different Pb-polluted environments were collected and analysed by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. The results showed that the Pb residue in MHs increased with increasing Pb in the culture environment. There was no significant difference in MH Pb content (P < 0.05) between the low-Pb residue group (PbL) and the blank control group (BC), and those of the middle-Pb residue group (PbM) and the high-Pb residue group (PbH) were significantly different from that of the BC group. Metabolomics results showed significant changes in 24 metabolites in the PbL, PbM and PbH groups, some of which were dose-dependent. These metabolites were mainly lipids, nucleotides, and dipeptides, which are involved in metabolic pathways such as glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. Overall, the results proved that metabolomics can be an effective tool to understand the effects of Pb on the metabolic responses of MHs.

Analysis on acupoint selection and medication rule of acupoint application for cough among pneumonia children

Objective To analyze the acupoint selection and medication rule of acupoint application for cough among pneumonia children with the method of cluster analysis. Methods Literatures on acupoint application for cough among pneumonia children were retrieved by computer in main databases at home and abroad. Data of literatures met the inclusion criteria were extracted by two researchers respectively with the Excel including literature titles, selection of acupoint and medication. The frequency was counted by taking acupoint and medication as the unique variable. Cluster analysis was used to acupoint and medication with the frequency equal to 10 times or higher with SPSS 19.0. Results A total of 120 literatures were included and all in Chinese which referred to 28 acupoints appearing 350 times. There were 8 acupoints with the usage frequency equal to 10 times or higher. A total of 113 literatures all involved the drug composition of acupoint application including 97 kinds of traditional Chinese medicines appearing 634 times; there were 13 kinds of traditional Chinese medicines with the usage frequency equal to 10 times or higher. Conclusions In adjuvant treatment of acupoint application for cough among pneumonia children, the most frequently used acupoints includes Feishu, Tiantu, Danzhong, Ashi point, and the most frequently used medicines involves Baijiezi, Dahuang, Mahuang and Xixin. Key words: Pneumonia; Child; Cough; Cluster analysis; Acupoint application

Protective effect of gui zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) on abnormal levels of four amino acid neurotransmitters by chronically ma huang (Herb Ephedra) intoxicated prefrontal cortex in rats treated with a ma huang-gui zhi herb pair.

The Herb Ephedra (Ma Huang in Chinese)-Ramulus Cinnamomi (Gui Zhi in Chinese) herb pair is a classic traditional Chinese herb pair used to treat asthma, nose and lung congestion, and fever with anhidrosis. In previous study, we found that chronic administration of ma huang induced obvious neurodegeneration in rat brains, with the prefrontal cortex showing the greatest effect. Gui zhi decreased hyperactivity produced by repeated ma huang administration, and attenuated oxidative stress in rat prefrontal cortex induced by ma huang. The study was aimed to investigate the protective effect of gui zhi on ma huang-induced abnormal levels of four amino acid neurotransmitters in rat prefrontal cortex. All ma huang and ma huang-gui zhi herb pair extracts were prepared using methods of traditional Chinese medicine and were normalized based on the ephedrine content. Two-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 rats/group) were administered ma huang or ma huang-gui zhi herb pair extracts for 1, 3, 5 or 7 days (ephedrine=48mg/kg). The contents of ephedrine, glutamate (Glu), aspartic acid (Asp), glycine (Gly), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the prefrontal cortex were determined using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) at 0.5, 1.0, 5.0h after administration. Ma huang significantly enhanced the levels of GABA, Gly, Glu and Asp in the prefrontal cortex, while gui zhi partially abolished the effects. Ma huang-induced neurotoxicity may be associated with its effects on amino acid neurotransmitters. Gui zhi is a promising neuroprotective agent against for ma huang-induced neurotoxicity. The information presented in this study will help supplement the available data for future ma huang-gui zhi herb pair compatibility studies.

Analysis of Wu Weiping’s medication rules on treating the onset of bronchial asthma based on data mining

Objective To analyze Professor Wu Weiping’s medication rules on treating the onset of bronchial asthma based on data mining. Methods The patients’records and prescriptions of Professor Wu Weiping on treating the onset of bronchial asthma were collected and collated, and the frequency and regularity of drug combinations were researched by using the association rules of TCM inheritance support system to analyze the medication experience of Professor Wu Weiping. Results By analyzing the 249 prescriptions of 61 patients, drug properties of the prescription: cold (45.6%), warm (42.6%), bitter(37.9%), pungent (27.5%). Channel tropism: lung, spleen, liver, stomach. The top 10 herbal medicine are Qingbanxia, Chaihu, Fangfeng, Huangqin, Mahuang, Wuweizi, Wumei, Qianhu, Chishao, Kuxingren. The top 3 treatment principle is reducing phlegm, expelling wind evil and regulating qi. Xiaochaihu decoction and Guomin decoction were showed in the article. Conclusions Data dining could help to discover the rules of Professor Wu Weiping’s treatment of the onset of bronchial asthma. The cold and warm drugs, acrid and bitter drugs were used together frequently, while the drugs belonging to the lung, spleen, liver and stomach meridians were used commonly. The evil of phlegm, qi and wind were paid attention to eliminate pathogen. Key words: Asthma; The onset of bronchial asthma; Wu Weiping; Data mining; Medication rule

Effect of ephedra water extract on liver injury induced by cisplatin

Objective To study the effect of water extract of ephedra on hepatic injury induced by cisplatin in rats. Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, and ephedra water extract was divided into the low dose group, medium and high dose group. Ephedra water extract in the low, medium dose group, high dose group were 100, 200, 400 mg/kg. The normal saline of equal volume was used in the blank group and model group, once a day for 10 days. In addition to the blank group, the other groups were given cisplatin (8 mg/kg) on the 6th day to establish the model of liver injury in rats. The changes of body weight, serum ALT, AST and liver MDA, NO, SOD, GSH were detected by biochemical method. The pathological changes of liver tissue were observed by the staining. Results On the 3rd day and 5th day after administration of cisplatin, the body weight of the rats in the low, medium and high dose group were significantly higher than that in the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum AST (328.00 ± 168.00 U/L, 297.00 ± 139.00 U/L vs. 409.00 ± 364.00 U/L), ALT (122.00 ± 76.00 U/L, 97.00 ± 64.00 U/L vs. 198.00 ± 156.00 U/L) in the medium-, high- dose group significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The content of SOD (34.98 ± 7.40 U/mg, 41.80 ± 8.10 U/mg vs. 12.70 ± 3.10 U/mg), GSH (16.90 ± 1.70 mg/g, 22.70 ± 3.70 mg/g vs. 9.90 ± 1.30 mg/g) in the medium-, high- dose group significantly increased, while the content of MDA (3.20 ± 0.60 nmol/ml, 2.20 ± 0.30 nmol/ml vs. 4.30 ± 0.70 nmol/ml), NO (0.90 ± 0.10 μmol/L, 0.80 ± 0.20 μmol/L vs. 1.20 ± 0.30 μmol/L) significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion The ephedra water extract can protect the liver injury induced by cisplatin in rats. Key words: Ephedra sinica; Cisplatin; Chemical and drug induced liver injury; Rats

Nutritional evaluation and ruminal fermentation patterns of kochia compared with alfalfa and orchardgrass hays and ephedra and cheatgrass compared with orchardgrass hay as alternative arid-land forages for beef cattle in two dual-flow continuous culture system experiments.

The objective was to evaluate the ruminal fermentation patterns of forage kochia (FK) compared with alfalfa hay (AH) and orchardgrass hay (OH) (Exp. 1), and ephedra (EPH) and immature cheatgrass (CG) compared with OH (Exp. 2), using a dual-flow continuous culture system. Two in vitro experiments were conducted, and in each experiment, treatments were randomly assigned to six dual-flow fermenters (1,223 ± 21 mL) in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design, with three consecutive periods of 10 d each, consisting of 7 d for diet adaptation and 3 d for sample collection. Each fermenter was fed a total of 72 g/d (DM basis) and treatments were as follows: Exp. 1: 1) 100% OH, 2) 100% AH, and 3) 100% dried FK. Exp. 2: 1) 100% OH, 2) 100% dried CG, and 3) 100% dried EPH. On day 8, 9, and 10, samples of solid and liquid effluent from each fermenter were taken for digestibility analysis, and subsamples were collected for NH3-N, VFA, and bacterial N determinations. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. In Exp. 1, treatments did not affect DM, OM, and NDF digestibilities, total VFA and molar proportions of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and branched-chain VFA. True CP digestibility, ruminal NH3-N concentration, and total N, NH3-N, NAN, and dietary N flows (g/d) were greater (P < 0.05) for FK compared with the other forages. However, treatments did not affect bacterial efficiency. In Exp. 2, DM, OM, and CP digestibilities were greater (P = 0.01) for EPH, and NDF digestibility was greater (P < 0.05) for EPH and CG compared with OH. Ephedra had the highest (P < 0.05) pH and acetate:propionate ratio and the lowest (P < 0.05) total VFA concentration. Total VFA, ruminal NH3-N concentration, and NH3-N flow (g/d) were highest (P < 0.05) for CG. Total N flow and bacterial efficiency were highest (P < 0.05) for OH and CG, while the flows (g/d) of NAN, bacterial N, and dietary N were greater (P < 0.05) for OH compared with the other forages. Results indicate that when compared with AH and OH (Exp. 1), FK has similar ruminal fermentation patterns and may be an adequate alternative for beef cattle producers. Furthermore, when compared with OH (Exp. 2), immature CG may also be an adequate forage alternative. This is especially important for areas in which conventional forages may not grow well such as the U.S. arid-land. However, EPH should not be used as the sole forage due to its poor ruminal fermentation as evidenced by the lowest total VFA concentration and propionate molar proportion.

An Increase in Dietary Supplement Exposures Reported to US Poison Control Centers.

The objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of dietary supplement exposures in the USA. A retrospective analysis was conducted of out-of-hospital dietary supplement exposures reported to the National Poison Data System from 2000 through 2012. There were 274,998 dietary supplement exposures from 2000 through 2012. The annual rate of dietary supplement exposures per 100,000 population increased by 46.1% during 2000-2002, decreased 8.8% during 2002-2005, and then increased again by 49.3% from 2005 to 2012. These trends were influenced by the decrease in ma huang exposures starting in 2002. Miscellaneous dietary supplements accounted for 43.9% of all exposures, followed by botanicals (31.9%), hormonal products (15.1%), and other supplements (5.1%). The majority of dietary supplement exposures (70.0%) occurred among children younger than 6years old and were acute (94.0%) and unintentional (82.9%). Serious medical outcomes accounted for 4.5% of exposures and most (95.0%) occurred among individuals 6years and older. Ma huang products, yohimbe, and energy products were the categories associated with the greatest toxicity. There was an overall increase in the rate of dietary supplement exposures from 2000 through 2012. Although the majority of these exposures did not require treatment at a health care facility or result in serious medical outcomes, exposures to yohimbe and energy products were associated with considerable toxicity. Our results demonstrate the success of the FDA ban on ma huang products and the need for FDA regulation of yohimbe and energy products in the USA.

How do government regulations influence the ability to practice Chinese herbal medicine in western countries

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe regulation policies of substances used in Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM), have a direct influence on the ability of health providers to practice in the clinic. Aim of the studyWe set out to assess the truth behind the assumption that practice of CHM in the west is constrained by the regulations imposed by authorities in western countries. Materials and methodsFor the first part of our study we surveyed and compiled lists of banned and restricted Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) from six countries: USA, UK, Germany, Israel, Canada and Australia. Afterwards, we estimated the relevant importance of the 300 CMM most-commonly-prescribed to the practice of CHM according to prescriptions from 2,000,000 randomly selected patients, from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). We then compared both lists and determined the clinical importance of the banned and restricted CMM. ResultsExcept for regulations from Canada, most of the information of banned CMM proved to be difficult to organize. The USA was found to have the least amount of banned herbs, with 9 substances. Canada had the highest amount, with 98. In Germany, Australia, the UK, and Israel 10, 29, 36, 68 banned CMM were found, respectively. Apart from aristolochic acid containing substances, ma huang (麻黃, Ephedra sinica) was the only CMM banned in all countries. Most of the banned CMM were not found to be among the most-commonly-prescribed according to the NHIRD. ConclusionAuthorities should make this information more accessible. No clear relation exists between CHM regulations and any ‘Western’ common denominator, and the amount of banned CMM varied greatly among the surveyed countries. However, even among countries with a larger amount of banned CMM, the majority of these were in the bottom two-thirds in respect to the frequency of their use. Thus, regulations in some western countries surely influence the practice of CHM, however, the variability of CMM have been influenced by regulations only to a limited extent.

Hepatotoxicity by Dietary Supplements: A Tabular Listing and Clinical Characteristics.

Dietary supplements (DS) are extensively consumed worldwide despite unproven efficacy. The true incidence of DS-induced liver injury (DSILI) is unknown but is probably under-diagnosed due to the general belief of safety of these products. Reported cases of herbals and DS-induced liver injury are increasing worldwide. The aim of this manuscript is to report a tabular listing with a description of DS associated with hepatotoxicity as well as review the phenotype and severity of DSILI. Natural remedies related to hepatotoxicity can be divided into herbal product-induced liver injury and DS-induced liver injury. In this article, we describe different DS associated with liver injury, some of them manufactured DS containing several ingredients (Herbalife™ products, Hydroxycut™, LipoKinetix™, UCP-1 and OxyELITE™) while others have a single ingredient (green tea extract, linoleic acid, usnic acid, 1,3-Dimethylamylamine, vitamin A, Garcinia cambogia and ma huang). Additional DS containing some of the aforementioned ingredients implicated in liver injury are also covered. We have also included illicit androgenic anabolic steroids for bodybuilding in this work, as they are frequently sold under the denomination of DS despite being conventional drugs.

Herbs for Eosinophilic, Mast-Cell, and Basophilic Diseases

Abstract Eosinophilic conditions are reviewed briefly, including the fact that early misunderstanding likely led to the now largely discredited idea that eosinophils are crucial to their the pathogenesis of these chronic allergic conditions. They can be relieved effectively by a range of herbal medicines—just a small selection of the large number of such medicines that have been studied, which are reviewed here. Ephedra sinica (ma huang) is discussed in some detail as one of the strongest traditional antiallergic agents in Chinese medicine. Many studies—including those involving ma huang-dominated formulas such as Ding Chuan Tāng (Arrest Wheezing Decoction) and Ma Huang Fu Zio Xi Xīn Tāng (Ephedra Aconite Asiasarum formula)—have shown ma huang to be effective for people with eosinophilic conditions. Ammi visnaga (khella) and a semisynthetic medication made from its compound khellin, cromolyn, are reviewed in depth. Yu Ping Fēng San (Jade Windscreen Powder) has been shown to be synergistic with cromolyn. Q...

Ma Huang Tang Suppresses the Production and Expression of Inflammatory Chemokines via Downregulating STAT1 Phosphorylation in HaCaT Keratinocytes.

Ma huang tang (MHT) is a traditional herbal medicine comprising six medicinal herbs and is used to treat influenza-like illness. However, the effects of MHT on inflammatory skin diseases have not been verified scientifically. We investigated determining the inhibitory effects of MHT against inflammation responses in skin using HaCaT human keratinocyte cells. We found that MHT suppressed production of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22), regulated on activation of normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES/CCL5), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ- (IFN-γ-) stimulated HaCaT cells. Consistently, MHT suppressed the mRNA expression of TARC, MDC, RANTES, and IL-8 in TNF-α and IFN-γ-stimulated cells. Additionally, MHT inhibited TNF-α and IFN-γ-stimulated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner and nuclear translocation in HaCaT cells. Our finding indicates that MHT inhibits production and expression of inflammatory chemokines in the stimulated keratinocytes by downregulating STAT1 phosphorylation, suggesting that MHT may be a possible therapeutic agent for inflammatory skin diseases.

The effects of Ephedra (Ephedra funereal) and protexin probiotic on some blood parameters in male Japanese quail (Coturnix Japonica)

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding Ephedra and protexin on performance and some hematological parameters of male Japanese quail. A total of 240 seven days old quail chicks were divided into 8 treatments with 3 replicates as factorial randomized design. The treatments were divided as basal diet with no protexin and Ephedra kept as control, and 0.02 % (E1), 0.04% (E2) and 0.06 % (E3) Ephedra with 0.01 % or without protexin as P0 and P 1 were used respectively. The live body weight gains and feed consumption of birds were measured individually feed conversion efficiency were calculated. At the end of the trial for investigating the effect of using protexin and Ephedra supplementation on performance of quails, 2 birds (male) form each replicates were slaughtered and some blood samples were taken for hematological parameters determination. Data showed that using of protexin and Ephedra increased feed intake (FI) in treatments compared to control. Also body weight (BW) (g/d) and Pre-slaughter weigh (g) were higher in protexin and Ephedra compared to the control. There were no significant differences (p<0.05) for feed conversation ratio (FCR) among treatments. As result was relevant from this study there were significant differences (p≤0.05) between blood parameters. Data showed that the glucose level had increased none significantly by using Ephedra and protexin. The triglyceride, cholesterol and LDL were increased significantly (p≤0.05) by using experimental diets. HDL, albumin and globulin levels were decreased by using Ephedra and protexin. In conclusion we demonstrated that protexin and Ephedra may be used as ingredient in quails ration without harming effects on performance and some blood parameters of male Japanese quails.

Discussing the significance of prescription treatment contraindicationsof Treatise on Febrile Diseasein syndrome differentiation treatment

This paper systematically summarizes treatment contraindicationsof the prescription Guizhi decotion, Mahuang decotion, Guizhi 2 yuebi 1 decotion, Daqinglongdecotion, Lingguizhugandecotion, Zhizichi decotion, Baihu decotion, Chengqi decoction, Zhuling decotion , Xiaochaihu decotion, Taohechengqi decotion, Guizhi adding Shaoyao decotion, Guizhi adding dahuang decotion, Sinidecotion, Huangqin decotion in Treatise on Febrile Disease. Doctors should pay attention to thesetreatment contraindications forbetter syndrome differentiational treatment, thus to improve its clinical efficacy. Key words: Treatise on Febrile Disease; Prescription; Contraindications

Bertil Lintner and Michael Black. Merchants of Madness: The Methamphetamine Explosion in the Golden Triangle. Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 2009, xii+180p.

Merchants of Madness: The Methamphetamine Explosion in the Golden TriangleBERTIL LINTNER and MICHAEL BLACKChiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 2009, xii+180p.In recent years, amphetamine type substances (ATS) have become the most widely used illegal narcotic drugs in Mainland Southeast Asia. These substances contain the medicinal alkaloid ephedrine which amply found in Asiatic species of the Ephedra Family. Ephedra known in Chinese as ma huang (), Yellow Cannabis. The plants themselves are mostly deciduous shrubs growing in arid areas in the middle and north of China and points westward.As Bertil Lintner and Michael Black show clearly in Merchants of Madness, production and use of ATS in the region has exploded in recent years, far surpassing the total number of opiate users. Because ATS in this region essentially a local phenomena with little exported to Europe or North America, much less known about it outside Southeast Asia.However, within Thailand and Burma as well as its neighbors, ATS has become a serious problem. As long ago as 1996, UNDCP officials (the United Nations International Drug Control Programme, forerunner of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC) were becoming aware that ATS production in the region was accelerating even as opium poppy cultivation and use was stagnating if not actually declining. In its 2010 Situation Assessment on Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (UNODC Global SMART Programme 2010), UNODC noted that 50-80 percent of the world's ATS users are in East and Southeast Asia, that almost 100 million tablets were seized in 2009, and that production increasing mostly in border areas in North and East Shan State.As with opium, ephedrine has both positive and negative properties. It stimulates the brain, increases the heart rate, and expands the bronchial tubes. It also increases the metabolism. Ephedrine has long been used in China to treat asthma and other ailments. In the United States ephedrine the active ingredient in pharmaceutical preparations such as Benzedrine which was an inhalant for the treatment of asthma. However, when it was learned that ephedrine had a euphoric effect, people began removing the paper strip inside the inhaler and swallowed it. Bennies grew so popular that Ian Fleming had 007 using them in three of his novels. There are websites that claim that ephedra is a plant with a PR problem, has a reputation as a troublesome herb, and can contribute to weight loss and other benefits (i.e. http://www.diagnose-me.com/treat/ T327930.html).The Asiatic ephedra plants are not native to the countries of Southeast Asia but to Mongolia and the north of China, where the substance was formerly known as ma huang. In Thailand it was called ya ma. Probably ma originally was derived from the Chinese ma huang but when used in Thai it came to be pronounced with the same tone as ma, meaning horse. As Lintner and Black well explain, this horse medicine became widely known after World War II among long distance truckers as useful for staying awake on long drives with an estimated 300,000 users in Thailand.As for negative side-effects, Lintner and Black, as well as the Thai Government, UNODC, and other involved agencies point out that the drug can cause aggressive behavior leading to murder, kidnappings, and other violent crime. Unlike opiates which generally sedate the user, ATS can lead to conflicts and much harm to innocent bystanders.Ya ma remained something of a niche drug for decades until the 1990s when groups in the northeast of Burma, such as the United Wa State Army and other breakaway groups from the Communist Party of Burma, began producing large quantities of ATS.It was at this time, and through a marketing process not fully understood (but discussed in depth by Chouvy and Meissonnier [2004, 81-103]), ATS use spread rapidly and particularly among school children-mostly boys in their second year of secondary school (grade 8 in the 12 year Thai pre-university educational system). …

NOTE ON SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF EPHEDRA CAMPYLOPODA C.A. MEY

During anthecological studies of Ephedra, populations referable to E. campylopoda were encountered near Haifa (Israel). The plants agree very well with the type description and it was thought useful to redescribe some essential features of the species because the Haifa material clearly differs in some respects from Dalmatian material referred to E. campylopoda. Conceivably, the latter should be given a different taxonomic status.

Entomophily in the dioecious gymnosperm Ephedra aphylla forsk. (=E. alte C.A. mey.), with some notes on Ephedra campylopoda C.A. mey. III: Further anthecological studies and relative importance of entomophily

ABSTRACT Additional anthecological studies (phenology, insect visitors, pollen rain, and stickiness of the pollen on Ephedra aphylla are reported. A peculiar mode of growth of male specimens of E. aphylla is mentioned and its biological significance is briefly discussed. Among the visitors, representatives of certain groups of flies appear to be the most important pollinators, Hymenoptera taking a second place. The pollen rain of E. aphylla is already low at a distance of 15 m from the pollen source; the bulk of the pollen produced, if not removed by insects, is shed in aggregates of 2 to 600 grains and mostly falls down almost vertically in the dense thickets. In combination with the intermingled growth of male and female plants, this leads to gravitational pollination. The stickiness of the pollen is discussed in connection with the low rate of its dispersion by air currents, and a more direct method of assessment is suggested. The overall conclusion is that entomophily in some and conceivably in all Ep...

Ephedrine induced thioredoxin-1 expression through β-adrenergic receptor/cyclic AMP/protein kinase A/dopamine- and cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein signaling pathway

Ephedrine (Eph) is one of alkaloids that has been isolated from the ancient herb ephedra (ma huang) and is used as the treatment of asthma, hypotension and fatigue. However, its molecular mechanism remains unknown. Thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) is a redox regulating protein, which has various biological activities, including regulating transcription factor DNA binding activity and neuroprotection. In this study, we found that Eph induced Trx-1 expression, which was inhibited by propranolol (β-adrenergic receptor inhibitor), but not by phenoxybenzamine (α-adrenergic receptor inhibitor) in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Moreover, the increase of Trx-1 expression was inhibited by SQ22536 (adenylyl cyclase inhibitor) and H-89 (protein kinase A inhibitor). Interestingly, the effect of Eph on dopamine- and cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein (DARPP-32) was similar to Trx-1. Thus, the relationship between Trx-1 and DARPP-32 was further studied. The DARPP-32 siRNA significantly reduced Trx-1 expression, but Trx-1 siRNA did not exchange DARPP-32. These results suggested that Eph induced the Trx-1 expression through β-adrenergic receptor/cyclic AMP/PKA/DARPP-32 signaling pathway. Furthermore, Eph induced PKA-mediated cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation. Down-regulation of DARPP-32 expression decreased phosphorylated CREB. In addition, Eph had a significant effect on the viability of the rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells through β-adrenergic receptors. Trx-1 may play an important role in the actions of Eph.

Herbs in exercise and sports

The use of herbs as ergogenic aids in exercise and sport is not novel. Ginseng, caffeine, ma huang (also called 'Chinese ephedra'), ephedrine and a combination of both caffeine and ephedrine are the most popular herbs used in exercise and sports. It is believed that these herbs have an ergogenic effect and thus help to improve physical performance. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of these herbs on exercise performance. Recently, researchers have also investigated the effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on endurance cycling and running performance. These investigators have reported no significant improvement in either cycling or running endurance after supplementation with this herb. As the number of studies in this area is still small, more studies should be conducted to evaluate and substantiate the effects of this herb on sports and exercise performance. For instance, future research on any herbs should take the following factors into consideration: dosage, supplementation period and a larger sample size.