• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2004

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Ephedra Sinica and Evodia Rutaecarpa on resting metabolic rate(RMR), weight and body composition in obese women during low-calorie diet. Methods: We recruited 90 healthy premenopausal women$(body\;mass\;index{\geq}25kg/m^2)$ and randomly assigned to three groups(ephedra group, evodia group and placebo group). Subjects were administered Ephedra Sinica(6g twice a day) or Evodia Rutaecarpa(6g twice a day) or placebo in a double-blind fashion and participated in low-calorie diet for 8 weeks. Resting metabolic rate and body composition were measured at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. Results: RMR change for 4 weeks was significantly higher in the ephedra group compared with the placebo group(p<.05). But the change for 8 weeks was not significant and the Evodia group showed no significant RMR change. Weight and percent body fat changes for 4 weeks and 8 weeks were significantly higher than the placebo group in the ephedra group(p<.05), but the Evodia group didn't show significant level. Conclusions: This study supports and emphasizes the benefits of herbal medicine in maintaining or increasing RMR during low-calorie diet. Especially Ephedra treatment was effective on significant maintainment of RMR, loss of weight and percent body fat(P<.05).

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.11-27
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• 2014

Objectives This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Ephedra Sinica and Fibrosum Gypsum extract on obesity by using 3T3-L1 cells and high fat diet rats. Methods In vitro, Ephedra Sinica and Fibrosum Gypsum extract (50, 100, 200, $500{\mu}g/ml$) were added in 3T3-L1 cells. Cytotoxicity was measured by MTT assasy. Adipocyte differentiation was measured by Oil Red O staining, GPDH activity and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ protein expression. In vivo, Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups : Normal diet group (Normal group), taken high fat diet and no treatment group (Control group), taken high fat diet and orally administered Ephedra Sinica and Fibrosum Gypsum extract daily (Group I: 50 mg/kg, Group II: 100 mg/kg, Group III : 200 mg/kg, oral). For 6 weeks of administration, body weight and the amount of food intake were measured once a week. After administration, blood analysis (AST, ALT, T-Bilirubin, BUN, RBC, Hb, HCT), serum lipid level (triglyceride, Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL), serum leptin level, epididymal adipose tissue weight and histological finding of liver were estimated. Results In vitro, The cytotoxicity was not significant. 3T3-L1 cell's differentiation was significantly decreased in Oil Red O staining, GPDH activity and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ protein expression. In vivo, Body weight and the amount of food intake, AST, ALT, Total cholesterol, TG, LDL, serum leptin, epididymal adipose tissue weight showed significant decrease in group I, group II and group III. There were no significant difference in T-bilirubin, BUN, RBC, Hb and HCT between all groups. HDL showed significant increase in group I, group II and group III. In histological finding of liver tissue, there were decreased adiposity and cytopathic effect in group I, group II and group III. Conclusions It is suggested that Ephedra Sinica and Fibrosum Gypsum extract can be used in the treatment of obesity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3 s.63
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• pp.249-262
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• 2005

Backgrounds : As obesity prevails as an epidemic. diet programs including low-calorie diets are developed continuously. It is generally believed that a low-calorie diet is commonly followed by resting metabolic rate decrease and ultimate weight regain. Ephedra and Evodia are known to have sympathomimetic and anti-obesity effect. Objectives : This study was a prospective, double-blinded, randomized md placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of Ephedra sinica and Evodia rutaecarpa on resting metabolic rate (RMR), weight, body composition, and short-term safety in obese women on low-calorie diet. Methods : 125 otherwise healthy obese women (body mass Index ${\geq}\;25kg/m^2$) were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups: Ephedra group (n=41), Evodia group (n =45), and placebo group (n=39). Subjects were administered Ephedra extract in capsules (pseudo-ephedrine 31.52mg) or Evodia extract in capsules (evodiamine 6.75mg, rutaecarpine 0.66mg) or placebo capsules as well as participating in a low-calorie diet for 8 weeks, Resting metabolic rate and body composition were measured at baseline,4 and 8 weeks. Basic serum exams were performed to evaluate the short-term safety of the herbs and changes of lipid variables. Results : All three groups showed significant BMI decreases probably due to low-calorie diet. Among them, the Ephedra group manifested most prominent BMI-reducing effect and towered total cholesterol and triglycerides significantly. The RMR was not changed during the 8-week diet in all groups. No significant difference among the groups was found in RMR, either. Stbject with higher RMR than the mean at the baseline showed a tendency to keep their RMR more stable during the diet program. Conclusions : Ephedra with a low-calorie diet was effective in reducing BMI. RMR change was not compensated by herbal medicines. RMR change seemed to be affected rather by constitution and body composition than medicine. Ephedra and Evodia were proven to be safe for sort-term use in herbal form. Especially, Ephedra was effective in lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides during the 8 weeks.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.207-211
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• 2004

Recently a case of liver injury from ingestion of Taeyeumjowi-tang containing Ma-huang(Ephedra sinica stapf) arose. The patient, a 30 year-old woman, was diagnosed with asthenia and anorexia after 6 weeks of ingesting Taeyeumjowi-tang containing Ma-huang(Ephedra sinica stapf) as a treatment for her obesity. Tests showed elevated levels of serum transaminase(ALT 903 IU/L, AST 716 IU/L), alkaline phosphatase (229 IU/L), total bilirubin (1.4 mg/dl). Other possible causes of liver injury were excluded by laboratory test and medical history, so the liver injury was taken to be drug-induced. Saenggangeonbi-tang was administered. After 2 weeks of treatment with this medication, the clinical symptoms and liver function improved. This case is reported with a call for further accumulation of objective data on drug-induced liver injury, and to bring more attention to the relative levels of safety and toxicity of herbal medicines.

• 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.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nutrition Society Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.119.1-119.1
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• 2003

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.11-21
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• 2020

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Ephedra sinica (E. sinica), Panax ginseng (P. ginseng), and Alisma orientale (A. orientale) Extract (MIT) on insulin resistance induced by Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods C57BL /6 male mice (8-week-old, 20 g) were divided into four groups: control group (Ctrl), high-fat diet group (HFDF), high fat diet with metformin administration group (METT), and high fat diet with MIT administration group (MITT). Each 10 mice were allocated to each group (a total of 40 mice). All mice were allowed to eat fat-rich diet freely throughout the experiment. To examine the effect of MIT, we observed Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1), Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2), G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55), and Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Results In the MITT group, positive reactions of the CB1, CB2, and GPR55 were significantly was significantly suppressed compared to the HFDF group. The positive reactions of the CD36 and TGF-β in the liver tissue were significantly suppressed in MITT. Conclusions MIT has the effect of improving NAFLD induced insulin resistance through the regulation of the lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.51-57
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was conducted to analyze anti-obesity effects of the main single medicinal herbs which have effects on obesity or metabolic syndrome. Methods: We selected the 8 main single medicinal herbs, and then 3 databases were searched using search words "obesity", and "each scientific name of selected 8 main herbs". Results and Conclusions: Only Ephedra sinica and Panax ginseng were analyzed through 3 methods, in vitro, animal studies and randomized controlled trial (RCT)s, Ephedra sinica was shown weight loss effects in RCTs, but Panax ginseng couldn't. Other 6 selected medicinal herbs were not verified in RCTs, all had anti-obesity effects in high fat fed mice (or rats) and the others except for Radix notoginseng and Radix puerariae had inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.644-649
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• 1988

The inhibitory activities against bacterial ${\alpha}-amylase$of oriental drugs from animals, plant and mineral origin were investigated. In final screening test, it was found that Areca catechu L., Cinnamomum cassia Pres 1. and Ephedra sinica Stapf had stronger inhibitory activities against ${\alpha}-amylase$ than other oriental drugs used in this experiment.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.206-212
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• 2013

The herbal composition Gyeongshingangjeehwan 18 (GGEx18), which is composed of three herbs, Laminaria japonica Aresch (Laminariaceae), Rheum palmatum L. (Polygonaceae), and Ephedra sinica Stapf (Ephedraceae), has been used as an anti-obesity drug in Korean local clinics. Thus, we investigated whether GGEx18 regulates obesity by suppressing appetite in high fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. Administration of GGEx18 to obese mice for 9 weeks significantly decreased body weight gain, epididymal adipose tissue weight, and food efficiency ratio. GGEx18 also caused a significant decrease in the circulating levels of leptin, which were increased by about 450% in obese control mice compared with normal lean mice. Concomitantly, GGEx18 decreased mRNA levels of a potent appetite-stimulating hormone neuropeptide Y, but increased an appetite-suppressing hormone pro-opiomelanocortin mRNA levels. These results suggest that GGEx18 may prevent obesity through regulating appetite in nutritionally obese mice.