Ephedra distachya

Ephedra distachya L. China 1-ephedrine, 1-methylephedrine, 1-norephedrine, methylephedrine, d-pseudoephedrinem, d-N-methy lpseudoephedrine. 30-3133 This herb is toxic. Treat asthma, sympathomimetic action, relieve headache, body ache, and coughing, lower fever by increasing perspiration. 

Ephedra distachya L., E. intermedia Schrenk ex Mey., E. sinica Stapf., E. monosperma Gmel. ex. Mey., E. equisetina Bunge. 

Ephedra distachya, E. equisetina, E intermedia, E. monosperma, E. sinica Sophora flavescens, S. alopecurosides Agastache rugosa, A. rugosa f. hypoleuca... 

Ephedra distachya, Fritillaria verticillata, Justicia adhatoda, Lobelia siphilitica, Medicago sativa, Nicotiana tabacum, Pedicularis palustris, P. canadensis, Physalis alkekengi, P franchetti, P pubescene, Picrasma excelsa, Swertia chirata, Valeriana officinalis, Veratrum viride, Verbena officinalis, Viscum album... 

The first studies on the biosynthesis of ephedrine in Ephedra distachya suggested that phenylalanine was incorporated via a C6—C2—N unit (339). When this was reinvestigated more recently, it was found that while C-3 and the aromatic ring of phenylalanine are incorporated, C-2 is not (341, 342). Specific incorporation of C-3 of phenylalanine into norpseudoephedrine in Catha edulis had also been reported (343). Further incorporation experiments showed that [carhaxy/-l4C]benzoate, [7-l4-C]benzaldehyde, and [3-l4C]cinnamic acid are all efficiently incorporated into the a carbon of ephedrine, and the participation of a C6—C, intermediate rather than a C6—C2 unit appears to be well supported (341, 342) (Scheme 4). Studies favor a biosynthetic scheme for ephedrine where C6—C, compounds such as benzoic acid or benzaldehyde react with C2—N compounds or equivalents to give ephedrine. The origin of the C2—N unit is still obscure. Methyl groups for N-methylation were previously shown to be donated from methionine or formate (538). 

Ephedrine.—Earlier work by Shibata and his colleagues had produced a biosynthetic route (Scheme 8) for ephedrine (66) in Ephedra distachya which seemed well supported. Central to this scheme is the incorporation of C-2 of phenylalanine. This was tested recently and it was found that while C-3 and the aromatic ring of phenylalanine were incorporated into ephedrine, C-2 was not. (A specific incorporation of [3- " C]phenylalanine into norpseudoephedrine (67) had been recorded earlier. ) Confirmation of the utilisation of a C -Ci rather than a C6-C2 unit was obtained with the specific incorporation of [carboxylA C]-benzoate and [carbonyl- " CJbenzaldehyde [3- C]cinnamate also labelled ephedrine specifically and all three precursors were more efficient than [3- " CJpheny lalanine. 

Bphedrine. Isolated sprouts of Ephedra distachya L. when fed with N H4 increase the absolute quantity of alkaloids and incorporate... 

Ephedrans A.B.C.D Ephedra distachya Linn/ Ephedraceae Aerial parts Ephedran A exhibited hypoglycemic effect in alloxan diabetic mice and all these glycans showed significant hypoglycemic effect in normal mice [84],... 

The Chinese herbal drug Mao (Japanese name Chinese name is Ma-huang) is prepared from the above-ground parts of Ephedra sp. plants, such as Ephedra equisetina. Ephedra distachya, and Ephedra sinica (Ephedraceae) which are native to China. Mao is used in Chinese traditional medicine prescriptions, and as a material for the preparation of ephedrine hydrochloride used for the treatment of cough. 

Mundry, M. and Stiitzel, T. (2004a). Morphogenesis of the reproductive shoots of Welwitschia mirabilis and Ephedra distachya (Gnetales), and its evolutionary implications. Organisms, Diversity and Evolution, 4,91-108. 

Kasahara Y, Hayasaka H, Oba K, Hikino H (1986) Seasonal dynamics of the accumulation of ephedrine alkaloids in Ephedra distachya herbs. Shoyakugaku Zasshi 40 390-392... 

In spite of extensive research on alkaloid biosynthesis, the active site remains unknown for many plants. Some data are available that confirm, in part, the ideas mentioned above. Shibata and Imaseki (1953, 1956) fed shoots of Ephedra distachya with [ N] ammonium sulfate and found after one week that the isotope was in the alkaloid. The same authors three years later fed [ N] phenylalanine in the same way and verified that the shoot was able to synthesize alkaloids from the applied precursor. The alkaloids of... 

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