• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.621-625
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• 2019

There is often the risk of confusing pollen grains with helminth eggs from archaeological sites. Thousands to millions of pollen grains can be recovered from archaeological burial sediments that represent past ritual, medication and environment. Some pollen grain types can be similar to parasite eggs. Such a confusion is represented by the diagnosis of enterobiasis in ancient Iran. The authors of this study confused a joint-pine (Ephedra spp.) pollen grain with a pinworm egg. This paper describes the specific Ephedra pollen morphology that can be confused with pinworm eggs.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.15-22
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• 2013

Objective: Evaluations of the in-vitro anti-bacterial activities of aqueous extracts of Acacia catechu (L.F.)Willd, Castanea sativa, Ephedra sinica stapf and Shilajita mumiyo against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) are reasonable since these ethnomedicinal plants have been used in Persian folk medicine for treating skin diseases, venereal diseases, respiratory problems and nervous disorders for ages. Methods: The well diffusion method (KB testing) with a concentration of $250{\mu}g/disc$ was used for evaluating the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Maximum synergistic effects of different combinations of components were also observed. Results: A particular combination of Acacia catechu (L.F.) Willd, Castanea sativa, Ephedra sinica stapf and shilajita mumiyo extracts possesses an outstanding anti-bacterial activity. It's inhibiting effect on microorganisms is significant when compared to the control group (P<0.05). Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive microorganism. The highest anti-bacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia) or gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was exerted by formula number 2 (table 1). Conclusion: The results reveal the presence of anti-bacterial activities of Acacia catechu, Castanea sativa husk, Ephedra sp. and Mumiyo against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Synergistic effects in a combined formula, especially in formula number 2 (ASLAN$^{(R)}$) can lead to potential sources of new antiseptic agents for treatment of acute or chronic skin ulcers. These results considering the significant anti-bacterial effect of the present formulation, support ethnopharmacological uses against diarrheal and venereal diseases and demonstrate use of these plants to treat infectious diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.762-765
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• 2008

Ephedrae herba(Ma-huang) has been used to treat respiratory conditions for over 5,000 years. The early 1990s, the herbal ephedra and other products containing ephedrine began to be promoted as weight loss aids in United States. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of hebal ephedra in rats. SPF Sprague-Dawley male and female rats were administered orally with herbal ephedra extract of 2,500 mg/kg(low dosage group), and 5,000 mg/kg(high dosage group). We daily examined number of deaths, clinical signs, body weights and gross findings for 14 days. No dead animal and no significant changes of body weights were found during the experimental period. In addition, no differences were found between control and treated groups in clinical signs, hematology, serum biochemistry, and other findings. In conclusion, herbal ephedra extract did not show any toxic effects and oral LD50 value was over 5,000 mg/kg in SD rats.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 1973

1. According to the slope (N., S., E., and W.), some ecological studies of shrubs to the southwestern Mojave Desert were analyzed from December 10 to December 12, 1971. 2. The order of important values in studied area were as follows; Liycum andersonii, Larrea, Ephedra, Franseria, etc. 3. Important values of Lycium in the south-slope showed more than that of the other slope. It was occupied over a half of important values. 4. Vegetation are very simple and the plants appeared among 35 quadrats ($1m^2$) in tested area are found to be 10 species and number of 40 individuals. 5. The differences of flora in each facing slope have not been observed. 6. The similarity of slope plants was measured by the Importance Value Index Community Coefficient (I.V.I.C.C.). According to IVICC, each slope plants showed higher value (87%) 7. Common species of each slope appeared 7 as follows; Lycium, Larrea, Ephedra, Franseria, Eriogonum, Yucca and Aster etc.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.929-937
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• 2019

A patients with quadriplegia and a history of pancreatectomy was administered Socheongryong-tang to reduce sputum. The patient's sputum decreased, but a sudden increase in blood sugar was observed. Ephedra is known to stimulate the sympathetic nerves to increase the blood pressure and blood sugar, but in healthy people, changes in blood sugar are not significant due to corrections by hormone regulation. However, this case suggests that ephedra can cause significant blood sugar increases in patients who undergo pancreatectomy or who have diabetes mellitus. Even though ephedra is highlighted for its usefulness in sputum reduction and in weight control, it should be carefully prescribed to patients with diabetes.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.79-87
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• 2019

Although there has been many studies about the co-administration of herb formula and western medicine, there is none about obesity. The aim of this study was to report the effects of co-administration of herb formula containing ephedra sinica and lorcaserin on two obese patients for about 2~4 months. During the treatment, we checked body weight and body composition, and collected blood samples to evaluate liver, kidney, thyroid function and lipid profile. This treatment not only decreased body weight but also improved body composition and lipid profile in both patients. There was no hepatic or renal toxicity, nor any serious side effects of treatment. This study demonstrated that co-administration of herb formula containing ephedra sinica and lorcaserin is a safe and effective therapy to lose weight and improve metabolic parameters for obese patients. Further large-scale clinical trials are needed to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of the combination of herbal and western medicines.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.264-273
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• 2022

The purpose of this report is to describe the effects of Qingfei Paidu decoction (QPD) and QPD without Ephedra Herba on COVID-19 patients. One COVID-19 patient was treated with QPD and two others who had been sensitive to ephedra were treated with QPD without it. The fever, cough, and sore throat of all three were monitored three times a day through non-face-to-face assessment for a total of five to seven days, and cough and throat pain changes were evaluated with a numeric rating scale (NRS). After treatment, the fever and NRS scores were improved for all three patients. These results indicate that both QPD and QPD without Ephedra Herba is an effective treatment for COVID-19 symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.72-79
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is analyzed of exploratory research potential as anti-obesity agents of Euiiin-tang. Four Korean databases and 2 Korean Journals (Riss4U, KISS, OASIS, DBPIA, and Journal of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, Journal of Korean Medicine of Obesity Research) were searched using search word 'individual herbs' and 'obesity', 'weight loss', 'fat', 'hypertension', 'hyperlipidemia', 'diabetes'. Clinical and Experimental Research published in the journal were analyzed, review research, studies of pharmacopunctures and studies of mixed herbal medicine were excluded. We collected 23 studies. Seven studies of Coicis Semen, 10 stdies of Ephedra Herba, 2 study of Angelica gigas Nakai, 3 studies Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, 1 studies of Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal. Most studies were experiment researches which were composed of in vivo or in vitro, and clinical trial was 5 studies of Ephedra Herba. Main constituent herb, Coicis Semen, Ephedra Herba were thought to represent an anti-obesity effect. Through the result, we can assume to be likely effect of Euiiin-tang as obesity medicine.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2010

1. Objectives: The purpose of this case is to report that a Tae-eumin patient diagnosed as drug-induced liver injury (DILI) caused by Galgeunhaegi-tang (Gegenjieji-tang) treated with Taeumjowe-tang reduced ephedra to 2g (Taiyintiaowei-tang) and then liver function test Results: improved. 2. Methods: We diagnosed him as Tae-eumin Exterior cold disease induced from the esophagus affected by cold. We made him stop taking Galgeunhaegi-tang (Gegenjieji-tang) and take Taeumjowe-tang reduced ephedra to 2g. (Taiyintiaowei-tang) 3. Results: After our treatment, the symptom and the liver function test Results: improved. 4. Conclusions: The wrong diagnosis of constitution and pathological syndromes can be caused drug-induced liver injury. Taeumjowe-tang reduced ephedra to 2g (Taiyintiaowei-tang) may have an effect on treatment of drug-induced liver injury of Tae- eumin.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1294-1302
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• 2019

Objective: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), one of the gut peptide hormones, has an action to induce satiety, and its effect as an anti-obesity agent is known. Recently, it has been reported that many herbal medicines have an anti-diabetic effect through inhibition of DPP-4 enzyme and inducing of GLP-1 secretion. It is therefore suggested that GLP-1 may be effective for the treatment of obesity. In this study, we report a case of male obese patients treated with herbal medicine as a GLP-1 secretagogue. Methods: In this study, the patient took a fixed prescription of herbal medicine for 10 weeks and recorded his weight at each visit. Results: This prescription produced significant weight loss (BMI loss>5%). In the follow-up period after two weeks, the trend of weight loss was observed continuously. Conclusion: This prescription can be an alternative to ephedra herba-based obesity treatment.