Effective treatment of ephedra: A Synthesis of Findings from 27 Studies

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Original Abstract of the Article

Major Research Findings

Ephedra has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for many years. In recent years, ephedrine, a component of ephedra, has been found to have bronchodilatory and metabolic boosting effects, and has gained attention as a supplement for weight loss and athletes. However, the safety of ephedra is not unanimous among researchers, and in recent years there have been concerns about its use. 18

Ephedra has been reported to have side effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure. 25 Ephedra may also cause sleep disturbances, anxiety, and hallucinations.

On the other hand, ephedra has been found to have various pharmacological effects, including bronchodilatory, metabolic boosting, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. 12 6 7 17 Ephedra is also expected to suppress inflammation in the nervous system. 8

Ephedrine-free ephedra herb extract (EFE) has been developed to reduce the side effects of ephedra. 14 EFE may retain the pharmacological effects of ephedra while reducing its side effects. 10

Ephedra has been used to treat various diseases as a traditional Chinese medicine. 20 However, in recent years, concerns about the safety of ephedra have been growing, so its use should be exercised with caution. 18

Benefits and Risks

Benefit Summary

Ephedra has various pharmacological effects, including bronchodilatory, metabolic boosting, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. 12 6 7 17 It is also expected to suppress inflammation in the nervous system. 8

Risk Summary

Ephedra has been reported to have side effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure. 25 Ephedra may also cause sleep disturbances, anxiety, and hallucinations.

Comparison of Studies

Commonalities of Studies

Many studies have shown that ephedra can increase heart rate and blood pressure. 25 18 Ephedra has also been shown to cause sleep disturbances, anxiety, and hallucinations.

Differences in Studies

The pharmacological effects of ephedra vary depending on the study. 12 6 7 17 The severity of ephedra's side effects also varies from study to study. 25 18

Consistency and Discrepancies of Results

There is no consensus among researchers on the safety of ephedra, and further research is needed. 18

Cautions Regarding Real-Life Application

Ephedra can affect the heart and nervous system, so people with heart or nervous system diseases should avoid using it. 25 Ephedra should also be avoided during pregnancy and lactation. It is important to consult your doctor before using ephedra.

Limitations of Current Research

The safety of ephedra has not been fully elucidated yet. 18 Furthermore, the pharmacological effects of ephedra vary depending on the study. 12 6 7 17 The long-term effects of ephedra have not been adequately investigated.

Future Research Directions

Further research is needed to better understand the safety and efficacy of ephedra. 18 In particular, it is necessary to investigate the long-term effects of ephedra and its efficacy in treating various diseases.

Conclusion

Ephedra has been found to have various pharmacological effects, including bronchodilatory, metabolic boosting, and other benefits. 12 6 7 17 However, it can affect the heart and nervous system, so use should be exercised with caution. 25 It is important to consult your doctor before using ephedra.

Literature analysis of 27 papers
Positive Content
21
Neutral Content
3
Negative Content
3
Article Type
5
0
0
2
27
4.

Effects of Ephedra alata extract on the quality of minced beef meat during refrigerated storage: A chemometric approach.

Author: ElhadefKhaoula, SmaouiSlim, Ben HlimaHajer, EnnouriKarim, FouratiMariam, Chakchouk MtibaaAhlem, EnnouriMonia, MellouliLotfi

Lipid oxidation protection
Natural preservative
Protein oxidation protection

This study evaluated the biopreservative effect of Ephedra alata aqueous extract (EAE) on minced beef meat. EAE was found to delay lipid and protein oxidation, demonstrating its potential as a natural preservative in meat products.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

5.

Protective effects of extracts from Ephedra foeminea Forssk fruits against oxidative injury in human endothelial cells.

Author: KhalilMohamad, KhalifehHala, SaadFatima, SeraleNadia, SalisAnnalisa, DamonteGianluca, LupidiGiulio, DaherAhmad, VerganiLaura

Anti-apoptotic
Antioxidant
Cytoprotective

Epoly, a polyphenol-enriched extract from Ephedra foeminea fruits, demonstrated in vitro antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects on human endothelial cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide. This suggests potential for Epoly as a nutraceutical for treating oxidative stress-related endothelial cell dysfunction and inflammation.

Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

6.

[The Adverse Effects of Ephedra Herb and the Safety of Ephedrine Alkaloids-free Ephedra Herb Extract (EFE)].

Author: OdaguchiHiroshi, HyugaSumiko, SekineMariko, NakamoriShunsuke, TakemotoHiroaki, HuangXuedan, OshimaNaohiro, ShimadaNorimoto, YangJinwei, AmakuraYoshiaki, HyugaMasashi, UchiyamaNahoko, KobayashiYoshinori, HakamatsukaTakashi, GodaYukihiro, HanawaToshihiko

Analgesic effect
Anti-influenza activity
Anticancer activity
Dysuria
Excitation
Insomnia
Palpitation

This study explores the pharmacological effects of Ephedra Herb extract (EHE) and an ephedrine alkaloid-free Ephedra Herb extract (EFE). The study found that EFE retained the analgesic, anti-influenza, and anticancer activities of EHE, while eliminating the adverse effects associated with ephedrine alkaloids. The study concludes that EFE is a safer alternative to EHE.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.

Language : Japanese

7.

Analgesic Effects of Ephedra Herb Extract, Ephedrine Alkaloids-Free Ephedra Herb Extract, Ephedrine, and Pseudoephedrine on Formalin-Induced Pain.

Author: NakamoriShunsuke, TakahashiJun, HyugaSumiko, YangJinwei, TakemotoHiroaki, MaruyamaTakuro, OshimaNaohiro, UchiyamaNahoko, AmakuraYoshiaki, HyugaMasashi, HakamatsukaTakashi, GodaYukihiro, OdaguchiHiroshi, HanawaToshihiko, KobayashiYoshinori

Pain relief

This study investigated the analgesic effect of Ephedra Herb (EH) in mice with formalin-induced pain. While ephedrine alkaloids contribute to the initial analgesic effect, constituents other than ephedrine alkaloids, including pseudoephedrine, play a role in alleviating pain in the second phase.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

9.

α-Amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitor effects and pancreatic response to diabetes mellitus on Wistar rats of Ephedra alata areal part decoction with immunohistochemical analyses.

Author: Ben LamineJihene, BoujbihaMouhamed Ali, DahaneSabra, CherifaAmal Ben, KhlifiAida, ChahdouraHassiba, YakoubiMouhamed Taher, FerchichiSalima, El AyebNacer, AchourLotfi

Diabetes treatment
Oxidative stress prevention
Pancreas regeneration

Ephedra alata extract was found to have in vitro inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase and α-amylase activity, and in vivo effects on restoring pancreas weight and improving biochemical parameters in rats with diabetes.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

10.

Ephedrine Alkaloids-Free Ephedra Herb Extract, EFE, Has No Adverse Effects Such as Excitation, Insomnia, and Arrhythmias.

Author: TakemotoHiroaki, TakahashiJun, HyugaSumiko, OdaguchiHiroshi, UchiyamaNahoko, MaruyamaTakuro, YamashitaTadatoshi, HyugaMasashi, OshimaNaohiro, AmakuraYoshiaki, HakamatsukaTakashi, GodaYukihiro, HanawaToshihiko, KobayashiYoshinori

Analgesic effect
Anti-influenza effect
Cancer metastatic inhibition

Ephedrine alkaloids-free Ephedra Herb extract (EFE) was shown to be free from the side effects of Ephedra Herb extract (EHE), such as excitation, insomnia, and arrhythmias.

Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

14.

Efficiently prepared ephedrine alkaloids-free Ephedra Herb extract: a putative marker and antiproliferative effects.

Author: OshimaNaohiro, YamashitaTadatoshi, HyugaSumiko, HyugaMasashi, KamakuraHiroyuki, YoshimuraMorio, MaruyamaTakuro, HakamatsukaTakashi, AmakuraYoshiaki, HanawaToshihiko, GodaYukihiro

EH anticancer effect
Dysuria
Hypertension
Insomnia
Palpitation

A new ephedrine alkaloid-free extract (EFE) of Ephedra Herb was developed, effectively removing ephedrine alkaloids, known for their adverse cardiovascular effects. EFE retains the anticancer effect of the original extract, demonstrating its potential as a new herbal medicine with reduced side effects.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

15.

Protective effects of Ephedra sinica extract on blood-brain barrier integrity and neurological function correlate with complement C3 reduction after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats.

Author: ZuoShilun, LiWenyan, LiQiang, ZhaoHengli, TangJun, ChenQianwei, LiuXin, ZhangJohn H, ChenYujie, FengHua

Improved neurological function
Reduced brain edema

This study found that Ephedra sinica extract protected against early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats by inhibiting complement C3, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for this extract.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

16.

Effects of herbal drugs in Mahuang decoction and their main components on intestinal transport characteristics of Ephedra alkaloids evaluated by a Caco-2 cell monolayer model.

Author: ZhengMengkai, ZhouHuifen, WanHaitong, ChenYu-Lin, HeYu

Mahuang decoction benefits

This study used a Caco-2 cell monolayer model to explicate the possible compatibility mechanism of Mahuang decoction from the perspective of intestinal absorption.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

18.

Multiple dosing of ephedra-free dietary supplements: hemodynamic, electrocardiographic, and bacterial contamination effects.

Author: FosterL, AllanM C, KhanA, MooreP, WilliamsD K, HubbardM, DixonL, GurleyB J

Gastrointestinal symptoms
Increased blood pressure
Increased heart rate
Sympathomimetic effects

Four popular ephedra-free dietary supplements were evaluated for their effects on heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiographic parameters. The supplements significantly increased heart rate and blood pressure, and abnormal heart events were frequently observed. Gastrointestinal and sympathomimetic symptoms were also common.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

19.

[Effects of complement inhibiting component of Ephedra sinica on immunological inflammation following acute spinal cord injury in rats].

Author: LiLiang-man, ZhuYue

SCI treatment

The complement inhibiting component of Ephedra sinica significantly reduced immunological inflammation after spinal cord injury.

English AbstractA summary of a research paper/publication written in English for a wider audience.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : Chinese

21.

[Effects of Herba Ephedra Sinicae and Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis on pathology of rats with bleomycin A(5)-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis].

Author: ZhaiHua-qiang, ZhangShuo-feng, GaoMing-chao, LiuYang, OuMin, MengFan-yun, WangYong-yan

Treats pulmonary fibrosis
None mentioned

Herba Ephedra Sinicae combined with Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis can restrain pulmonary artery injury.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : Chinese

22.

Effects of ephedra on autonomic nervous modulation in healthy young adults.

Author: ChenWei-Lung, TsaiTung-Hu, YangCheryl C H, KuoTerry B J

Parasympathetic activity impairment
Sympathetic activity increase

Ingestion of ephedra dry extract acutely and chronically affects autonomic nervous activity by tilting the sympathovagal balance toward increased sympathetic activity, whereas parasympathetic activity was impaired.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

23.

Acute effects of ephedra on autonomic nervous modulation in healthy young adults.

Author: ChenW-L, TsaiT-H, YangC C H, KuoT B J

Sympathetic activity

This study investigated the acute effects of ephedra on autonomic nervous system modulation using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Twenty healthy subjects received either placebo or ephedra extract in a double-blind, crossover design. Ephedra increased normalized low-frequency (LF) HRV and the LF/high-frequency (HF) ratio in a dose-dependent manner, while normalized HF decreased. This suggests that ephedra increases sympathetic activity and impairs parasympathetic activity, tilting the sympathovagal balance towards sympathetic dominance.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

24.

Inhibitory effects of Ephedra major Host on Aspergillus parasiticus growth and aflatoxin production.

Author: Bagheri-GavkoshShahrokh, BigdeliMohsen, Shams-GhahfarokhiMasoomeh, Razzaghi-AbyanehMehdi

Aflatoxin production inhibition

Ephedra major Host extracts and essential oil were investigated for their ability to inhibit growth and aflatoxin (AF) production by Aspergillus parasiticus. Methanolic extracts of aerial parts and roots significantly inhibited both fungal growth and AF production, suggesting potential applications in protecting crops from contamination.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

25.

Electrocardiographic and blood pressure effects of the ephedra-containing TrimSpa thermogenic herbal compound in healthy volunteers.

Author: CaronMichael F, DoreDavid D, MinBokyung, KlugerJeffrey, BogukIrena, WhiteC Michael

No QTc interval prolongation
No systolic blood pressure increase
Possible risk in a subset of individuals

A standard dose of TrimSpa, a thermogenic herbal compound containing ephedra and caffeine, did not induce changes in subjects’ QTc intervals or systolic blood pressures. However, one subject taking TrimSpa showed a dramatic increase in QTc interval, suggesting a potential risk for a subset of people. Further investigation is needed.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

26.

Anti-arthritic effects of Ephedra sinica STAPF herb-acupuncture: inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and adjuvant-induced polyarthritis.

Author: YeomMi-Jung, LeeHan-Chang, KimGun-Ho, LeeHye-Jung, ShimInsop, OhSeung-Kyu, KangSung-Keel, HahmDae-Hyun

Arthritis treatment

This study investigates the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of Ephedra sinica STAPF (ES) in herb-acupuncture. ES herb-acupuncture significantly inhibited inflammatory responses in both in vitro and in vivo models of arthritis, suggesting its potential as a novel anti-arthritic therapy.

Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

27.

Modelling the cardiovascular effects of ephedrine.

Author: PerskyAdam M, BerryN Seth, PollackGary M, BrouwerKim L R

Cardiovascular effects

The study aimed to characterize, via pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling, the cardiovascular effects of ephedrine, the main active ingredient of ephedra, in apparently healthy, overweight volunteers.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.Research funding provided by the Public Health Service (PHS).

Language : English

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