• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.533-538
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• 2008

In order to fine antioxidant and whitening agent source from nature, the comparisons of antioxidative activity and tyrosinase inhibitory activity were carried out for various ethanol extract on Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Polygonati Rhizoma and Ephedrae Herba. Comparing for three ethanol extracts, the highest electron donating ability was found at Polygonati Rhizoma (86.6%), but, the highest SOD-like ability, at the Ephedrae Herba (47.8%). Xanthine oxidase experiment exhibited 95.7% of hindrance effect in Ephedrae Herba, and 84.0% in Polygonati Rhizoma. A tyrosinase inhibitory activity assay was conducted to evaluate the whitening effects of the extracts, The tyrosinase inhibitory activity was 6.5% in the Polygoni Multiflori Radix, 32.6% in the Polygonati Rhizoma, 64.0% in the Ephedrae Herba. Based on these results, we suggest that the ethanol extracts of Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Polygonati Rhizoma and Ephedrae Herba can be used as food and cosmetic ingredients.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.10 no.2 s.23
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• pp.41-46
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• 2007

Effects of mahwang(Ephedrae herba) aqua-acupuncture at sinsoo (B-23)and Jisil(B-52)on adrenal cortical insufficiency were investigated in dexamethasone treated rats. Concentration of serum cortisol was decreased in dexamethasone treated rats. However, these values showed a tendency to increase in mahwang(Ephedrae herba) aqua-acupuncture groups. Concentration of serum total protein was increased in dexamethasone treated rats. However, these values were decreased by the mahwang(Ephedrae herba) aqua-acupuncture. The portion of neutrophils was decreased and the portion of lymphocytes and eosinophils were increased in dexamethasone treated rats. However, in mahwang(Ephedrae herba) aqua-acupuncture groups, the portion of neutrophils showed a tendency to increase and the portion of lymphocytes and eosinophils showed a tendency to decrease. In dexamethasone treated rats, the weight of adrenal glands were decreased, however these values were increased in mahwang(Ephedrae herba) aqua-acupuncture groups.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.79-87
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• 2001

In order to investigate the effect of Taeumjowetang and Herba Ephedrae on obesity-induced rats, after Taeumjowetang and Herba Ephedrae were administered by mouth, and then body-weight, serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, Obese mRNA and TNF-${\alpha}$/ mRNA were measured. The reselts were as follows ; 1. The body-weight was decresed with the statistical significance in both the Taeumjowetang and the Herba Ephedrae group as compared with the control group. 2. The quantitation of serum triglyceride was decresed with the statistical significance in both the Taeumjowetang and the Herba Ephedrae group as compared with the control group. 3. The total cholesterol was slightly decresed in both the Taeumjowetang and the Herba Ephedrae group as compared with the control group, but there was no statistical significance. 4. The manifestation of Obese mRNA and TNF-${\alpha}$/ mRNA in epidymal, retroperitoneal, mesenteric and skeletal muscle tissues were inhibited in Taeumjowetang and Herba Ephedrae group. According to the above results, Taeumjowerang and Herba Ephedrae were recognized to be helpful for the treatment of obesity.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.169-192
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• 2005

This report describes the remedial fields, symptoms, pathlogy, dosage, prescriptional constitution of 79 studies to the use of Herba Ephedrae main blended prescriptions from dongeubogam. The following conclusions were reached through investigations on the prescriptions that use Herba Ephedrae as a key ingredient Herba Ephedrae blended prescriptions are utilized for 26 therapeutic purposes, for example, in symptoms of cough, cold, wind. In particular, 20.2% of the prescriptions appear in the chapter of cough. Prescriptions that utilize Herba Ephearae as the main ingredient are used in the treatment of 47 different types of diseases, for example, in the treatment of wind-cold pathogen, cold, wind, exogenous febrile disease etc. Herba Ephedrae is most widely used in six pathogenic factors such as wind, cold, dampness, heat. The actual amount of Herba Ephedrae blended has ranged at a wide variety of amounts from 1 don to 2 don. It is widely applied with base prescriptions such as Mahwang-tang, Samyo-tang, Mahwangbujasesin-tang, Mahwangkanghwal-tang.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.10 no.2 s.23
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• pp.57-65
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidative effects of Ephedrae Herba extract. Methods : Total antioxidant status was examined by total antioxidant capacity(TAC), total antioxidant response(TAR) against potent free radical reactions, total phenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activities, and the inhibitory effect of the extract on lipid peroxidation in rat liver mitochondria. Results : 1. TAC and TAR of Ephedrae Herba extract at the concentration of 5mg/ml were 3.76 and 1.65 mM Trolox equivalents , respectively. 2. Total phenolic content of Ephedrae Herba extract at the concenuation of 5mg/ml was 3.52 mM gallic acid equivalent. 3. Concentration of Ephedrae Herba extract at which DPPH radical scavenging activity was inhibited by 50% was 0.46mg/ml as compared to 100% by pyrogallol solution as a reference. 4. Ephedrae Herba extract at the concentration of 2mg/ml significantly decreased TBARS concentration by 97%, showing that Ephedrae Herba extract prevented lipid peroxidation at the low concentration. Conclusion : Thus antioxidant effects of Ephedrae Herba extract appear to be due to, at least in part, the prevention from free radicalsinduced oxidation, followed by inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.19-38
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study is to find out whether Herba Ephedrae, solely used, and Herbal medicine in which this was included, have inhibitory effects of Nitric Oxide(NO). Methods : We tested the inhibitory effects of Nitric Oxide(NO) with Herba Ephedrae and ten kinds of Herbal medicine combined with Herba Ephedrae(Worlbikachul-Tang, 越婢加朮湯; Mahaengkamsuk-Tang, 麻杏甘石湯; Shinbi-Tang, 神秘湯; Mahwangbujaseshin-Tang, 麻黃附子細辛湯; Euiin-Tang, 薏苡仁湯; Galgeun-Tang, 葛根湯; Mahaengeuigam-Tang, 麻杏薏甘湯; Mahwang-Tang, 麻黃湯; Socheongryong-Tang, 小靑龍湯; Gaemagakban-Tang, 桂麻各半湯) on RAW264.7 cells. Results and Conclusions : 1. We carried out MTT assay on Herba Ephedrae and those decoctions including this in order to determine whether they accommodate cotytoxicity. The results were that Worlbikachul-Tang, Mahaengkamsuk-Tang, Mahwangbujaseshin-Tang, Mahaengeuigam-Tang, Mahwang-Tang, Socheongryong-Tang and Gaemagakban-Tang showed no cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 with 0.1mg/ml and 0.5mg/ml dosages of decoctions but displayed cytotoxicity on the cell with 1mg/ml. Solely used Herba Ephedrae, Shinbi-Tang, Euiin-Tang and Galgeun-Tang exhibited cytotoxicity beyond the concentration of 0.5mg/ml. 2. Worlbikachul-Tang, Mahaengkamsuk-Tang, Shinbi-Tang, Mahwangbujaseshin-Tang, Euiin-Tang, Galgeun-Tang, Mahaengeuigam-Tang, Mahwang-Tang and Socheongryong-Tang showed inhibition of NO production but solely used Herba Ephedrae and Gaemagakban-Tang did not exhibit such reaction.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.431-437
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• 2009

To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Ephedrae Herba in vivo and in vitro acute inflammation was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) shock in rats fed Ephedrae Herba extracts and inflammatory cytokine concentrations were examined. In addition, the effect of Ephedrae Herba extracts on the production of inflammatory cytokines was examined in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. In an in vivo experiment, plasma interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) concentrations were increased at 2 h and reached to maximal levels at 5 h after LPS treatment in all groups. Compared with control group, plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ levels were lowered at 5 h after LPS treatment, but plasma IL-10 level was higher in at 2 and 5 h after LPS treatment in Ephedrae Herba extract group. In an in vitro experiment using Raw 264.7 macrophages, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ concentrations in the Ephedrae Herba extract group were lower than those in control group. Compared with control group, IL-10 concentration appeared to be higher in the Ephedrae Herba extract group, but this trend was not significant. In conclusion, these results suggested that functional compound (s) in Ephedrae Herba extract may play a role in alleviating inflammatory response.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.422-430
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• 1998

In order to study the effects of Rhei rhizoma, Ephedrae herba and Scutellariae radix on hepatic metabolism, we examined the pretreatment effect of those on the metabolism of 7-e thoxycoumarin (EC). Water extracts (1g/kg) of Rhei rhizoma, Ephedrae herba and Scutellariae radix were administered orally to rats for 7 days, respectively. Livers were then isolated and perfused with 100mcM EC for 2 hours. The metabolites of EC, 7-hydroxycoumarin, sulfate conjugate and glucuronide conjugate were measured in the perfusates. The amount of glucuronide conjugates was decreased in Rhei rhizoma pretreated rats (p<0.01), however, 7-hydroxycoumarin was increased in Ephedrae herba pretreated rats (p<0.01). We examined whether the change of enzyme activity is related to the change of cytochrome P4501A1 and P4502B1 mRNA level in the perfused rat liver, which are responsible for EC metabolism. CYP1A1 and CYP2B1 mRNA level was increased, which was was not statistically significant with rhei rhizoma nor ephedrae herba pretreatment. We also assessed the hepatotoxicity of Rhei rhizoma, Ephedrae herba and Scutellariae radix. The activities of ALT and AST were assayed at 24 hours after 7 days administration. Only the ratio of ALT over AST was increased in ephedrae herba pretreated rats (p<0.05). Lipid peroxidation was increased in Rhei rhizoma treatment (p<0.05), while histopathological examination performed after liver perfusion did not show any difference compared with vehicle treatment. These results suggest that Ephedrae herba pretreatment increases the o-deethy-lation of 7-ethoxycoumarin in rats, which may be mediated by CYP1A1 mRNA induction.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.296-299
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• 2006

Effects of mahwang(Ephedrae herba) extract on plasma lipid composition, GOT, GPT activity and blood cell composition were investigated in rats. Concentrations of FFA was not significantly different in all treatment groups. Concentrations of triglyceride and total cholesterol in plasma were decreased in mahwang(Ephedrae herba) extract groups. However concentrations of HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol showed no significant difference in all treatment groups. GOT activities were increased in mahwang(Ephedrae herba) extract 300mg/kg group. However the values of GPT showed no significant difference in all treatment groups. Counts of RBC were increased in mahwang(Ephedrae herba) extract 300mg/kg group. Counts of WBC showed no significant difference in all treatment groups. In WBC composition, neutrophils were increased, but other cells were not affected by mahwang extract treatment.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2008

Objectives: Ephedrae herba, also known as Ma-huang, is a traditional Korean medicinal herb. It has been used to treat asthma, nose and lung congestion, and fever with anhidrosis for centuries. Recently, Ma-huang was used as a source of ephedrine in many dietary supplements for weight reduction in the United States. The objective of this study was to investigate the subacute toxicity of ephedrae herba extract in rats. Methods: SPF Sprague-Dawley male rats were administered orally with ephedrae herba extract for 4 weeks as several doses(0, 125, 250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg). We examined number of deaths, clinical signs, body weights and gross findings for experimental period. Results: No dead animals 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. Conclusions: In conclusion, above data suggest that no observed adverse effect level of ephedrae herba extract in SD rats might be over 2,000 mg/kg/day in this study.