Ephedra sinica

Many alkaloids have pronounced biological properties, and a substantial number of the pharmaceutical agents used today are derived from naturally occurring amines. As a few examples, morphine, an analgesic agent, is obtained from the opium poppy Papaver somnifemm. Cocaine, both an anesthetic and a central nervous system stimulant, is obtained front the coca bush Erythroxylon coca, endemic to upland rain forest areas of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and western Brazil. Reserpine, a tranquilizer and antihypertensive, comes from powdered roots of the semitropical plant Rauwolfia serpentina. Ephedrine, a bronchodilator and decongestant, is obtained front the Chinese plant Ephedra sinica. 

Ephedra (sea grape, ma-huang, yellow horse) ephedra sinica Relieves colds, improves respiratory function, headaches, diuretic effects 3heart rate, psychosis l hedra should only be used after consulting with the physician. Many restrictions apply and the herb can cause serious reactions. Do not use with cardiac glycosides, monoamine oxidase inhibitor halothane, guanethidine, (MAOIs) or oxytocin. Do not use with 3. John s wort or in weight loss formulas. 

Ephedrine and pseudoephediine are a vasodilator and decongestant respectively used widely in the treatment of asthma and the symptoms of colds and influenza. These pharmaceuticals were derived originally fi om the plant Ephedra sinica and used in traditional Chinese medicinal preparations. Although some are still produced fi om such sources, the major production is via a fermentation process followed by a chemical catalytic reaction. As shown in Figure 1, the intermediate / -phenylacetylcarbinol (PAC) is produced by decarboxylation of pyruvate followed by ligation to benzaldehyde. 

Ma Huang (Ephedra sinica) is another potentially harmful herb that is available in the United States. Claims of utility of Ma Huang for the treatment of bronchial asthma, cold and flu symptoms, fevers or chills, headaches and other aches, edema, and lack of perspiration have been made [23], Ma Huang contains approximately 1% of ephedrine and therefore possesses central nervous stimulatory potential [24], However, ephedrine is difficult to extract and purify from Ma Huang, so it presently has no street value. 

Kim J and Choi YH. 2000. SPE of ephedrine derivates from Ephedra sinica. Proceedings of 5th International Symposium on Supercritical Fluids, Atlanta, GA, pp. 1—12. 

Ephedra is a group of related plant species that have long been used for their stimulant effects. Ephedra sinica is a shrub that grows 60-90 cm in height (Robbers et al. 1996 Gruenwald et al. 

It has long cylindrical branches 1-2 mm in diameter, which terminate in a sharp point. The branches are green and have very small leaves, which sometimes are reduced to pointed scales. The fruit is red and berrylike. Ephedra sinica is native to Asia, growing mostly in Mongolia and neighboring parts of China. 

Several alkaloids are present in Ephedra, with ephedrine being the most significant (Gruenwald et al. 1998). Ephedra sinica contains approxi-... 

White LM, Gardner SF, Gurley BJ, Marx MA, Wang PL, Estes M. (1997). Pharmacokinetics and cardiovascular effects of ma-huang (Ephedra sinica) in normotensive adults. J Clin Pharmacol 37(2) 116-22. 

Chinese Ephedra 38 known compounds Eohedraceae (EPHEDRA SINICA STAPF)... 

Ma huang (Ephedra sinica) Protects against respiratory disorders... 

Ephedrine is an alkaloid that is present in various forms of the ephedrine family, and which is still extracted from Ephedra sinica and Ephedra equisetina. Because of the presence of two asymmetric atoms, there are four isomeric forms. Pseudoepinephrine (d-isoephrine) is a stereoisomer with pharmacological action that differs slightly from ephedrine. The pharmacological action of ephedrine is typical of noncatecholamine sympathomimetics of mixed action. It stimulates both a- and 8-adrenoreceptors, and simultaneously causes a release of norepinephrine from synaptic neurons. Its vasoconstrictive ability is approximately 100 times weaker than that of epinephrine however, the duration of action is approximately 10 times longer. It is much less toxic than epinephrine, which allows it to be used widely in medicine. 

Ephedra (Ephedra sinica)/Ma Huang Evening Primrose Oil Oenothera biennis) Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium)... 

Ephedra (Ephedra sinica)/Ma Huang Uses Stimulant, aid in wt loss, bronchial dilation Dose Not OK d/t reported deaths (>100 mg/d can be life-threatening). US sales banned by FDA in 2004 bitter orange w/ similar properties has replaced this compound in most wt loss supplements Caution Advise cardiac events, strokes, death SE Nervousness, HA, insomnia, palpitations, V, hypoglycemia Interactions Digoxin, antihypertensives, antidepressants, diabetic medications EMS Tinctures extracts contain EtOH may X glucose linked to several deaths behavioral mood changes... 

Pseudoephedrine Alkaloid Clears nasal congestion Ephedra sinica... 

Ephedrine is the main alkaloid produced in the roots of Ephedra sinica, preparations of which have found medical application in China for at least 5000 years. It was first purified from its natural source in 1887, and its chemical synthesis was achieved in 1927. It was initially used in cardiovascular medicine, but subsequently found wider application in the treatment of mild hayfever and asthma. It is also used as a nasal decongestant and cough suppressant. 

Ephedrine is found in the ephedra plant (Ephedra sinica— the Chinese herb Ma Huang). It is used as a nasal decongestant... 

Ephedra sinica Stapf. China 1-ephedrine, 1-methylephedrine, 1-norephedrine, methylephedrine, d-pseudoephedrinem, d-N-methylpseudoephedrine.30-3133-510 Treat asthma, sympathomimetic action, relieve headache, body ache, and coughing, lower fever by increasing perspiration. 

Chamaenerion angustifolium, Cytisus scoparius, Ephedra sinica, Platycladus occidentalis, Populus alba, Swertia chirata Carduus marianus... 

MOTHER NATURE S AMPHETAMINES Amphetamine does not occur naturally, but some substances found in nature are chemically related to amphetamine and have similar effects on the brain. Ephedrine can be found in Ephedra sinica, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and is known as ma huang. Its effects on the sympathetic nervous system are similar to amphetamine. However, this extract never achieved complete success as a psychoactive stimulant, primarily because it does not cross the blood—brain barrier as effectively as amphetamine. 

Ephedra sinica (Ma-huang, ephedra) Erythroxylum coca ( Coca)... 

OFFICIAL NAMES Ephedra, Ephedra sinica STREET NAMES Mahuang, ma huang, desert tea, Mormon tea, American ephedra, European ephedra, Pakistani ephedra, ephedrine, ephedrine alkaloids, pseudoephedrine DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS Not scheduled, dietary supplement... 

In the United States, ephedrine alkaloids are derived from the Ephedra sinica, or ma huang plant. Most ephedra supplements contain a standard extract of 6-8% ephedrine alkaloids. Other herbs and ingredients, including caffeine, may also be added to ephedra supplements. 

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