Objective:To determine the anticancer potential of the methanolic extract from Ephedra alata against breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo.Methods:The effects of the methanolic extract of Ephedra alata on the viabil...Objective:To determine the anticancer potential of the methanolic extract from Ephedra alata against breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo.Methods:The effects of the methanolic extract of Ephedra alata on the viability,migration as well as apoptosis of breast cancer 4T1 cells were measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay,Transwell assay,and annexin V-FITC staining assay,respectively.Histological examination was also carried out.Moreover,a murine breast cancer model was established to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the extract.Biochemical parameters including hepatic and non-hepatic enzymes,malondialdehyde,and glutathione were investigated.Results:The methanolic extract of Ephedra alata showed a strong anti-proliferative and anti-migratory activity against 4T1 cells in a dose-dependent manner.It also induced apoptosis in 4T1 cells.In an in vivo mouse model,the extract markedly inhibited tumor growth,reduced malondialdehyde,and hepatic and non-hepatic enzymes as well as increased glutathione level.Conclusions:The methanolic extract of Ephedra alata inhibits breast cancer in vitro and in vivo,which may be a promising anticancer agent.展开更多
Two polysaccharides (ESP-A1 and ESP-A2) were isolated from the cold water extract of Ephedra sinica Stapf and purified through ethanol precipitation, deproteinization and by ion exchange and gel-filtration chromatogra...Two polysaccharides (ESP-A1 and ESP-A2) were isolated from the cold water extract of Ephedra sinica Stapf and purified through ethanol precipitation, deproteinization and by ion exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. Their molecular weight was determined using high performance size exclusion chromatog-raphy and evaporative light scattering detector (HPSEC-ELSD) and their monosaccharide composition was analyzed by high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) based on pre-column derivatization with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP). It was shown that ESP-A1 consisted of xylose, arabinose, glucose, mannose and galactose and ESP-A2 consisted of xylose, arabinose, rhamnose and galactose, in a molar ratio (%) of 3.2: 61.1: 11.1: 12.9: 11.6 and 20.6: 67.7: 5.0: 6.7, respectively. The molecular weights (Mw) of ESP-A1 and ESP-A2 were 5.83 × 104 Da and more than 200 × 104 Da, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, two neutral polysaccharides are now being reported for the first time in this study.展开更多
Objective:Ephedra asarum aconite decoction is used in the clinical treatment of allergic rhinitis.We investigated the effects of ephedra asarum aconite decoction on Th1/Th2 balance in two animal models of allergic rhi...Objective:Ephedra asarum aconite decoction is used in the clinical treatment of allergic rhinitis.We investigated the effects of ephedra asarum aconite decoction on Th1/Th2 balance in two animal models of allergic rhinitis and in activated T cells in vitro.Methods:Animal models of simple and compound kidney yang deficiency types of allergic rhinitis were treated with ephedra asarum aconite decoction to observe the efficacy of this traditional Chinese medicine formula on allergic symptoms,serum cytokines,and tissue RNA levels.We also cultured and activated T cells from the mouse.After treatment with ephedra asarum aconite decoction,we tested the proliferation and differentiation of T cells.Results:Ephedra asarum aconite decoction relieved allergy symptoms in both types of animal models,and was more effective in the compound kidney yang deficiency model In addition to its anti-allergic efficacy,ephedra asarum aconite decoction significantly improved the health status of animals in the compound kidney yang deficiency groups,significantly made their bodyweight rising up,and significantly increased the T-bet mRNA/GATA-3 mRNA ratio.Moreover,ephedra asarum aconite decoction promoted the proliferation of activated T cells and inhibited the differentiation to Th2 cells in vitro.Conclusions:Ephedra asarum aconite decoction regulates the balance of Th1/Th2 to ameliorate allergic conditions.展开更多
Objective The effect of the ephedra/ephedrine alkaloid methylephedrine(dl-methylephedrine hydrochloride for testing in this paper)on cognitive related synaptic plasticity was investigated by recording extracellular fi...Objective The effect of the ephedra/ephedrine alkaloid methylephedrine(dl-methylephedrine hydrochloride for testing in this paper)on cognitive related synaptic plasticity was investigated by recording extracellular field evoked potentials and its LTP in hippocampal dentate granule cells in urethane-anaesthetized rats in vivo.Methods Single pathway recording of evoked field potentials was made from the dentate granule cells of hippocampal hemisphere in response to stimulation of the ipsilateral medial perforant path(MPP).Two parameters,the amplitude of population spike(PS amplitude)and the latency of the PS,were employed to evaluate the effects of drug on the overall changes in cellular responses.Results The present study show that methylephedrine 90 mg·kg-1 intraperitoneally,about 1/3 LD50,could increase the latency of the PS in hippocampal dentate granule cells by constant single stimulation of the MPP as the basal ransportation.However,the 30 mg·kg-1 and 10 mg·kg-1 dosage had no effect on the latency,and there are no influences of PS amplitude for all examinational groups.The methylephedrine 90 mg·kg-1 group significant enhanced the development of amplitude LTP in hippocampal dentate granule cells that induced by 60 Hz,60 pulses conditional tetanus in medial perforant path area.Also,the 30 mg·kg-1 group can promoted the maintenance of LTP induced by this tetanus,but no promotion on PS amplitude LTP appeared in this dosage and no any changes been found in 10 mg·kg-1 dosage group.Conclusions The ephedra/ephedrine alkaloid methylephedrine can modulate the synaptic plasticity in the lateral perforant path.A possible mechanism of methylephedrine on hippocampal LTP is been discussed.展开更多
Two species of Ephedra: E. trifurca and E. torreyana inhabit shrub and grassland habitats in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. E. torreyana is limited to black grama grasslands where grasses are taller than the shrub. E...Two species of Ephedra: E. trifurca and E. torreyana inhabit shrub and grassland habitats in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. E. torreyana is limited to black grama grasslands where grasses are taller than the shrub. E. torreyana is heavily browsed by vertebrates and E. trifurca is browsed during some years. We established an experiment with cylindrical exclosures that excluded rabbits and rodents, rabbits but accessible to rodents, for comparison with E. torreyana plants available to all herbivores. Plants accessible to all vertebrate herbivores were significantly smaller with shorter stem lengths than plants in exclosures. We concluded that E. torreyana in black grama grassland are largely hidden from vertebrate herbivores and that intense herbivory reflects the degraded state of the study site which makes the E. torreyana evergreen shrubs apparent to vertebrates.展开更多
Sequential incubation of seed samples yielded 20 fungal species belonging to 13 genera. The prevalent genera were Aspergillus (A. flavus and A. parasiticus), Fusarium (F. moniliforme and F. oxysporum) and Penicillium ...Sequential incubation of seed samples yielded 20 fungal species belonging to 13 genera. The prevalent genera were Aspergillus (A. flavus and A. parasiticus), Fusarium (F. moniliforme and F. oxysporum) and Penicillium (Penicillium sp.). Such seedborne fungi differ in their colonization in different parts of seeds with most of them are colonized in seed coat, endosperm, and embryo of the seed. The usage of different storage containers for storing seeds indicated that the cotton cloth bags were the most favorable ones as they maintain seed moisture content (SMC) below the critical level resulting in minimum seed deterioration compared with other seed storage containers.展开更多
Objective:To study the mechanism of ephedra in treating allergic rhinitis by network pharmacology.Methods:the chemical components and corresponding targets of ephedra were searched and screened by TCMSP database.With&...Objective:To study the mechanism of ephedra in treating allergic rhinitis by network pharmacology.Methods:the chemical components and corresponding targets of ephedra were searched and screened by TCMSP database.With"allergic rhinitis"as the key word,disease-related genes were searched in GeneCards and OMIM database.Using Venny2.1.0 mapping,Venn diagram and drug-disease common targets,network visualization software Cytoscape 3.6.1 track production elements-targets-disease network diagram,String database build their proteins interact with each other(PPI),and using R language to do gene ontology(GO)functional enrichment and pathway analysis and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genome(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis.Results:ephedrine was screened for 136 efficacy components and 88 common targets,and was predicted to intervene and regulate allergic rhinitis through AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications,Fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis,IL-17 signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway and other signaling pathways in diabetic complications.Conclusion:preliminary prediction of the target and pathway of ephedra in the treatment of allergic rhinitis through network pharmacology can provide direction and evidence for the next experiment and clinic.展开更多
Objective To predict the main bioactive components and potential mechanisms of Ephedra Herba Decoction(Chinese Pinyin abbreviated as MHT)in treating influenza A virus(IAV)based on network pharmacology.Methods Multiple...Objective To predict the main bioactive components and potential mechanisms of Ephedra Herba Decoction(Chinese Pinyin abbreviated as MHT)in treating influenza A virus(IAV)based on network pharmacology.Methods Multiple online databases were used to search and screen out the active components from MHT,the related targets of active components of MHT and the genes related to IAV.Search the corresponding genes name of target through UniProt database.Cytoscape 3.7.2 was used to construct the drug-component-target network diagram.Venn diagram was used to screen the intersection genes of the active components corresponding to the target and disease-related genes,and the intersection genes were imported into the STRING Database Online platform to obtain the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network.Then,the PPI network was imported into Cytoscape 3.7.2 to obtain the core targets.Finally,Wei Sheng Xing(http://www.bioinformatics.com.cn/)was used to do GO function enrichment analysis and KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis for the intersection genes,and the results of GO and KEGG were visualized.Results A total of 116 active components and 253 potential targets were screened from MHT.Quercetin,Kaempferol,and Luteolin are the main active components,and AKT1,TNF,TP53,IL6,and JUN are the core targets of 253 potential targets.There are 2906 targets of influenza A,including 121 intersection genes.Enrichment analysis showed that there were 131 entries of molecular function,89 entries of cell component,1645 entries of biological process and 195 entries of signaling pathway.PI3K-Akt,MAPK,and JAK-STAT were the main signaling pathways.Conclusion MHT plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of influenza A by acting on multiple targets and multiple signaling pathways.展开更多
Ephedra comprises approximately 50 species,which are roughly equally distributed between the Old and New World deserts,but not in the intervening regions(amphitropical range).Great heterogeneity in the substitution ra...Ephedra comprises approximately 50 species,which are roughly equally distributed between the Old and New World deserts,but not in the intervening regions(amphitropical range).Great heterogeneity in the substitution rates of Gnetales(Ephedra,Gnetum,and Welwitschia) has made it difficult to infer the ages of the major divergence events in Ephedra,such as the timing of the Beringian disjunction in the genus and the entry into South America.Here,we use data from as many Gnetales species and genes as available from GenBank and from a recent study to investigate the timing of the major divergence events.Because of the tradeoff between the amount of missing data and taxon/gene sampling,we reduced the initial matrix of 265 accessions and 12 loci to 95 accessions and 10 loci,and further to 42 species(and 7736 aligned nucleotides) to achieve stationary distributions in the Bayesian molecular clock runs.Results from a relaxed clock with an uncorrelated rates model and fossil-based calibration reveal that New World species are monophyletic and diverged from their mostly Asian sister clade some 30 mya,fitting with many other Beringian disjunctions.The split between the single North American and the single South American clade occurred approximately 25 mya,well before the closure of the Panamanian Isthmus.Overall,the biogeographic history of Ephedra appears dominated by long-distance dispersal,but finer-scale studies are needed to test this hypothesis.展开更多
Active volatile components in drug pair(DP)Herba Ephedrae-Ramulus Cinnamomi(HE-RC),single drug HE and RC were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(GC/MS),chemometric resolution method(CRM)and overall volum...Active volatile components in drug pair(DP)Herba Ephedrae-Ramulus Cinnamomi(HE-RC),single drug HE and RC were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(GC/MS),chemometric resolution method(CRM)and overall volume integration.By means of CRM,the two-dimensional data obtained from GC-MS instruments were resolved into a pure chromatogram and a mass spectrum of each chemical compound.In total,97,62,and 78 volatile chemical components in volatile oil of HE,RC,and DP HE-RC,were respectively determined qualitatively and quantitatively,accounting for 90.08%,91.62%,and 89.76% total contents of volatile oil of HE,RC,and DP HE-RC respectively.It is further demonstrated that the numbers of volatile components of DP HE-RC are almost the sum of those of two single drugs,but some relative contents of them are changed.Some new components,such as 1,6-dimethylhepta-1,3,5-triene,tetracyclo[4.2.1.1(2,5).0(9,10)]deca-3,7-diene,globulol and(E,E)-6,10,14-trimethyl-5,9,13-pentadecatrien-2-one are found in DP HE-RC because of chemical reactions and physical changes during decoction.展开更多
Reconstructing a robust species phylogeny and disentangling the evolutionary and biogeographic history of the gymnosperm genus Ephedra,which has a large genome and rich polyploids,remain a big challenge.Here we recons...Reconstructing a robust species phylogeny and disentangling the evolutionary and biogeographic history of the gymnosperm genus Ephedra,which has a large genome and rich polyploids,remain a big challenge.Here we reconstructed a transcriptome-based phylogeny of 19 diploid Ephedra species,and explored evolutionary reticulations in this genus represented by 50 diploid and polyploid species,using four low-copy nuclear and nine plastid genes.The diploid species phylogeny indicates that the Mediterranean species diverged first,and the remaining species split into three clades,including the American species(Clade A),E.rhytidosperma,and all other Asian species(Clade B).The single-gene trees placed E.rhytidosperma sister to Clade A,Clade B,or Clades A+B in similar proportions,suggesting that radiation and gene flow likely occurred in the early evolution of Ephedra.In addition,reticulate evolution occurred not only among the deep nodes,but also in the recently evolved South American species,which further caused difficulty in phylogenetic reconstruction.Moreover,we found that allopolyploid speciation was pervasive in Ephedra.Our study also suggests that Ephedra very likely originated in the Tethys coast during the late Cretaceous,and the South American Ephedra species have a single origin by dispersal from Mexico or North America.展开更多
This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of Ephedra Herb(EH)extract on adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome(NS),providing an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of NS.Hematoxylin and eosin ...This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of Ephedra Herb(EH)extract on adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome(NS),providing an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of NS.Hematoxylin and eosin staining,creatinine,urea nitrogen,and kidn injury molecule-1 were used to evaluate the activities of EH extract on renal function.The levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress were detected by kits.The levels of reactive oxygen species,immune cells,and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry.A network pharmacological approach was used to predict the potential targets and mechanisms of EH extract in the treatment of NS.The protein levels of apoptosis-related proteins and CAMKK2,p-CAMKK2,AMPK,p-AMPK,mTOR and p-mTOR in the kidneys were detected by Western blot.The effective material basis of EH extract was screened by MTT assay.The AMPK pathway inhibitor(compound C,CC)was added to investigate the effect of the potent material basis on adriamycin-induced cell injury.EH extract significantly improved renal injury and relieve inflammation,oxidative stress,and apoptosis in rats.Network pharmacology and Western blot results showed that the effect of EH extract on NS may be associated with the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.Moreover,methylephedrine significantly ameliorated adriamycin-induced NRK-52e cell injury.Methylephedrine also significantly improved the phosphorylation of AMPK and mTOR,which were blocked by CC.In sum,EH extract may ameliorate renal injury via the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.Moreover,methylephedrine may be one of the material bases of EH extract.展开更多
The genus Ephedra of the Ephedraceae family contains more than 60 species of nonflowering seed plants distributed throughout Asia, America, Europe, and North Africa. These Ephedra species have medicinal, ecological, a...The genus Ephedra of the Ephedraceae family contains more than 60 species of nonflowering seed plants distributed throughout Asia, America, Europe, and North Africa. These Ephedra species have medicinal, ecological, and economic value. This review aims to summarize the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of the Ephedra species to unveil opportunities for future research. Comprehensive information on the Ephedra species was collected by electronic search(e.g., GoogleScholar, Pubmed, Sci Finder, and Web of Science) and phytochemical books. The chemical compounds isolated from the Ephedra species include alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, polysaccharides, and others. The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies on the crude extracts, fractions and few isolated compounds of Ephedra species showed anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-obesity, antiviral, and diuretic activities. After chemical and pharmacological profiling, current research is focused on the antibacterial and antifungal effects of the phenolic acid compounds, the immunosuppressive activity of the polysaccharides, and the antitumor activity of flavonoids.展开更多
With a great difference in therapeutic effects of Mahuang(MH, the stems of Ephedra sinica) and Mahuanggen(MHG, the roots of Ephedra sinica), chemical differences between MH and MHG should be investigated. In the prese...With a great difference in therapeutic effects of Mahuang(MH, the stems of Ephedra sinica) and Mahuanggen(MHG, the roots of Ephedra sinica), chemical differences between MH and MHG should be investigated. In the present study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)-based plant metabolomics was employed to compare volatile oil profiles of MH and MHG. The antioxidant activities of volatile oils from MH and MHG were also compared. 32 differential chemical markers were identified according to the variable importance in the projection(VIP) value of orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) and P value of Mann-Whitney test. Among them, chemical markers of tetramethylpyrazine(TMP) and α-terpineol were quantified. Their contents were much higher in most MH samples compared with MHG. The antioxidant assay demonstrated that MH had significantly higher free radical-scavenging activity than MHG. Although MH and MHG derived from the same medicinal plant, there was much difference in their volatile oil profiles. MH samples had significantly higher content of two reported pharmacologically important chemical markers of TMP and α-terpineol, which may account for their different antioxidant activities.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of serum containing Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) or Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) on the migration of alveolar macrophages(AM) and interstitial macrophages(IM) from normal r...OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of serum containing Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) or Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) on the migration of alveolar macrophages(AM) and interstitial macrophages(IM) from normal rats, and to analyze and compare the mechanisms leading to cell migration differences.METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into three groups: Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica), Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis), and blank serum. After treatment with the herbs, serum was extracted from the rats. AM and IM were isolated from normal rats and cultured. The effects of Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) medicated serum on normal rat AM and IM chemotactic migration were determined by transwell assays. The CC chemokine receptor(CCR) 2, CCR5, voltage-gated Kvl. 3 K^+channel(Kv1. 3), and voltage-gated Kvl. 5 K^+channel(Kv1. 5) protein levels were analyzed by western blotting.RESULTS: The migration quantities of AM and IM in the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) medicated serum groups were significantly higher than those in the blank serum group(P < 0.01). Compared with the Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) medicated serum group, the migration quantity of cultured rat AM in the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) medicated serum group was significantly increased(P <0.01). Meanwhile, compared with the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) medicated serum group, the migration quantity of cultured rat IM in the Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) medicated serum group was significantly increased(P < 0.01).CCR2, CCR5, Kv1. 3, and Kv1. 5 proteins were expressed on the AM cell surface, and showed significantly higher expression in the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) medicated serum group compared with the Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis)medicated serum group. In contrast, CCR5, Kv1.3,and Kv1.5 proteins were expressed on the IM cell surface, and showed significantly higher expression in the Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis)medicated serum group compared with the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) medicated serum group.CONCLUSION: Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica)and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) can promote AM and IM migration ability, with Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) targeting AM more apparently and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) targeting IM more apparently. The mechanism may be that, by stimulating cells, Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) promote expression of CCR2 and CCR5 receptors on the AM and IM cell surface,which pass signals to Kvl.3 and Kvl.5 ion channels,leading to changes in the cytoskeleton, and ultimately promoting chemotactic cell migration.展开更多
文摘Objective:To determine the anticancer potential of the methanolic extract from Ephedra alata against breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo.Methods:The effects of the methanolic extract of Ephedra alata on the viability,migration as well as apoptosis of breast cancer 4T1 cells were measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay,Transwell assay,and annexin V-FITC staining assay,respectively.Histological examination was also carried out.Moreover,a murine breast cancer model was established to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the extract.Biochemical parameters including hepatic and non-hepatic enzymes,malondialdehyde,and glutathione were investigated.Results:The methanolic extract of Ephedra alata showed a strong anti-proliferative and anti-migratory activity against 4T1 cells in a dose-dependent manner.It also induced apoptosis in 4T1 cells.In an in vivo mouse model,the extract markedly inhibited tumor growth,reduced malondialdehyde,and hepatic and non-hepatic enzymes as well as increased glutathione level.Conclusions:The methanolic extract of Ephedra alata inhibits breast cancer in vitro and in vivo,which may be a promising anticancer agent.
文摘Two polysaccharides (ESP-A1 and ESP-A2) were isolated from the cold water extract of Ephedra sinica Stapf and purified through ethanol precipitation, deproteinization and by ion exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. Their molecular weight was determined using high performance size exclusion chromatog-raphy and evaporative light scattering detector (HPSEC-ELSD) and their monosaccharide composition was analyzed by high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) based on pre-column derivatization with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP). It was shown that ESP-A1 consisted of xylose, arabinose, glucose, mannose and galactose and ESP-A2 consisted of xylose, arabinose, rhamnose and galactose, in a molar ratio (%) of 3.2: 61.1: 11.1: 12.9: 11.6 and 20.6: 67.7: 5.0: 6.7, respectively. The molecular weights (Mw) of ESP-A1 and ESP-A2 were 5.83 × 104 Da and more than 200 × 104 Da, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, two neutral polysaccharides are now being reported for the first time in this study.
基金This study is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(8120272)Scientific Research in Beijing University of Chinese Medicine(2016-JYB-JSMS-001,2016-JYB-XS011)International Natural Science Foundation.
文摘Objective:Ephedra asarum aconite decoction is used in the clinical treatment of allergic rhinitis.We investigated the effects of ephedra asarum aconite decoction on Th1/Th2 balance in two animal models of allergic rhinitis and in activated T cells in vitro.Methods:Animal models of simple and compound kidney yang deficiency types of allergic rhinitis were treated with ephedra asarum aconite decoction to observe the efficacy of this traditional Chinese medicine formula on allergic symptoms,serum cytokines,and tissue RNA levels.We also cultured and activated T cells from the mouse.After treatment with ephedra asarum aconite decoction,we tested the proliferation and differentiation of T cells.Results:Ephedra asarum aconite decoction relieved allergy symptoms in both types of animal models,and was more effective in the compound kidney yang deficiency model In addition to its anti-allergic efficacy,ephedra asarum aconite decoction significantly improved the health status of animals in the compound kidney yang deficiency groups,significantly made their bodyweight rising up,and significantly increased the T-bet mRNA/GATA-3 mRNA ratio.Moreover,ephedra asarum aconite decoction promoted the proliferation of activated T cells and inhibited the differentiation to Th2 cells in vitro.Conclusions:Ephedra asarum aconite decoction regulates the balance of Th1/Th2 to ameliorate allergic conditions.
文摘Objective The effect of the ephedra/ephedrine alkaloid methylephedrine(dl-methylephedrine hydrochloride for testing in this paper)on cognitive related synaptic plasticity was investigated by recording extracellular field evoked potentials and its LTP in hippocampal dentate granule cells in urethane-anaesthetized rats in vivo.Methods Single pathway recording of evoked field potentials was made from the dentate granule cells of hippocampal hemisphere in response to stimulation of the ipsilateral medial perforant path(MPP).Two parameters,the amplitude of population spike(PS amplitude)and the latency of the PS,were employed to evaluate the effects of drug on the overall changes in cellular responses.Results The present study show that methylephedrine 90 mg·kg-1 intraperitoneally,about 1/3 LD50,could increase the latency of the PS in hippocampal dentate granule cells by constant single stimulation of the MPP as the basal ransportation.However,the 30 mg·kg-1 and 10 mg·kg-1 dosage had no effect on the latency,and there are no influences of PS amplitude for all examinational groups.The methylephedrine 90 mg·kg-1 group significant enhanced the development of amplitude LTP in hippocampal dentate granule cells that induced by 60 Hz,60 pulses conditional tetanus in medial perforant path area.Also,the 30 mg·kg-1 group can promoted the maintenance of LTP induced by this tetanus,but no promotion on PS amplitude LTP appeared in this dosage and no any changes been found in 10 mg·kg-1 dosage group.Conclusions The ephedra/ephedrine alkaloid methylephedrine can modulate the synaptic plasticity in the lateral perforant path.A possible mechanism of methylephedrine on hippocampal LTP is been discussed.
文摘Two species of Ephedra: E. trifurca and E. torreyana inhabit shrub and grassland habitats in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. E. torreyana is limited to black grama grasslands where grasses are taller than the shrub. E. torreyana is heavily browsed by vertebrates and E. trifurca is browsed during some years. We established an experiment with cylindrical exclosures that excluded rabbits and rodents, rabbits but accessible to rodents, for comparison with E. torreyana plants available to all herbivores. Plants accessible to all vertebrate herbivores were significantly smaller with shorter stem lengths than plants in exclosures. We concluded that E. torreyana in black grama grassland are largely hidden from vertebrate herbivores and that intense herbivory reflects the degraded state of the study site which makes the E. torreyana evergreen shrubs apparent to vertebrates.
文摘Sequential incubation of seed samples yielded 20 fungal species belonging to 13 genera. The prevalent genera were Aspergillus (A. flavus and A. parasiticus), Fusarium (F. moniliforme and F. oxysporum) and Penicillium (Penicillium sp.). Such seedborne fungi differ in their colonization in different parts of seeds with most of them are colonized in seed coat, endosperm, and embryo of the seed. The usage of different storage containers for storing seeds indicated that the cotton cloth bags were the most favorable ones as they maintain seed moisture content (SMC) below the critical level resulting in minimum seed deterioration compared with other seed storage containers.
基金Young teacher project of Beijing university of traditional Chinese medicine(No.2019-JYB-JS-052)Beijing natural science foundation(No.7194292)National natural science foundation(No.8190151365)
文摘Objective:To study the mechanism of ephedra in treating allergic rhinitis by network pharmacology.Methods:the chemical components and corresponding targets of ephedra were searched and screened by TCMSP database.With"allergic rhinitis"as the key word,disease-related genes were searched in GeneCards and OMIM database.Using Venny2.1.0 mapping,Venn diagram and drug-disease common targets,network visualization software Cytoscape 3.6.1 track production elements-targets-disease network diagram,String database build their proteins interact with each other(PPI),and using R language to do gene ontology(GO)functional enrichment and pathway analysis and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genome(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis.Results:ephedrine was screened for 136 efficacy components and 88 common targets,and was predicted to intervene and regulate allergic rhinitis through AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications,Fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis,IL-17 signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway and other signaling pathways in diabetic complications.Conclusion:preliminary prediction of the target and pathway of ephedra in the treatment of allergic rhinitis through network pharmacology can provide direction and evidence for the next experiment and clinic.
基金This study was supported by the Discipline Innovation Team Construction Project of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine (2020XKTD-A02).
文摘Objective To predict the main bioactive components and potential mechanisms of Ephedra Herba Decoction(Chinese Pinyin abbreviated as MHT)in treating influenza A virus(IAV)based on network pharmacology.Methods Multiple online databases were used to search and screen out the active components from MHT,the related targets of active components of MHT and the genes related to IAV.Search the corresponding genes name of target through UniProt database.Cytoscape 3.7.2 was used to construct the drug-component-target network diagram.Venn diagram was used to screen the intersection genes of the active components corresponding to the target and disease-related genes,and the intersection genes were imported into the STRING Database Online platform to obtain the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network.Then,the PPI network was imported into Cytoscape 3.7.2 to obtain the core targets.Finally,Wei Sheng Xing(http://www.bioinformatics.com.cn/)was used to do GO function enrichment analysis and KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis for the intersection genes,and the results of GO and KEGG were visualized.Results A total of 116 active components and 253 potential targets were screened from MHT.Quercetin,Kaempferol,and Luteolin are the main active components,and AKT1,TNF,TP53,IL6,and JUN are the core targets of 253 potential targets.There are 2906 targets of influenza A,including 121 intersection genes.Enrichment analysis showed that there were 131 entries of molecular function,89 entries of cell component,1645 entries of biological process and 195 entries of signaling pathway.PI3K-Akt,MAPK,and JAK-STAT were the main signaling pathways.Conclusion MHT plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of influenza A by acting on multiple targets and multiple signaling pathways.
基金supported,in part,by the National Science Foundation (USA)-Emerging Frontiers,Assembling the Tree of Life,Collaborative Research:Gymnosperms on the Tree of Life:Resolving the Phylogeny of Seed Plants (Grant No. EF-0629657 to SMI-B)supported by the Swedish Research Council (grants to CR)
文摘Ephedra comprises approximately 50 species,which are roughly equally distributed between the Old and New World deserts,but not in the intervening regions(amphitropical range).Great heterogeneity in the substitution rates of Gnetales(Ephedra,Gnetum,and Welwitschia) has made it difficult to infer the ages of the major divergence events in Ephedra,such as the timing of the Beringian disjunction in the genus and the entry into South America.Here,we use data from as many Gnetales species and genes as available from GenBank and from a recent study to investigate the timing of the major divergence events.Because of the tradeoff between the amount of missing data and taxon/gene sampling,we reduced the initial matrix of 265 accessions and 12 loci to 95 accessions and 10 loci,and further to 42 species(and 7736 aligned nucleotides) to achieve stationary distributions in the Bayesian molecular clock runs.Results from a relaxed clock with an uncorrelated rates model and fossil-based calibration reveal that New World species are monophyletic and diverged from their mostly Asian sister clade some 30 mya,fitting with many other Beringian disjunctions.The split between the single North American and the single South American clade occurred approximately 25 mya,well before the closure of the Panamanian Isthmus.Overall,the biogeographic history of Ephedra appears dominated by long-distance dispersal,but finer-scale studies are needed to test this hypothesis.
基金Project (01962502) supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, China
文摘Active volatile components in drug pair(DP)Herba Ephedrae-Ramulus Cinnamomi(HE-RC),single drug HE and RC were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(GC/MS),chemometric resolution method(CRM)and overall volume integration.By means of CRM,the two-dimensional data obtained from GC-MS instruments were resolved into a pure chromatogram and a mass spectrum of each chemical compound.In total,97,62,and 78 volatile chemical components in volatile oil of HE,RC,and DP HE-RC,were respectively determined qualitatively and quantitatively,accounting for 90.08%,91.62%,and 89.76% total contents of volatile oil of HE,RC,and DP HE-RC respectively.It is further demonstrated that the numbers of volatile components of DP HE-RC are almost the sum of those of two single drugs,but some relative contents of them are changed.Some new components,such as 1,6-dimethylhepta-1,3,5-triene,tetracyclo[4.2.1.1(2,5).0(9,10)]deca-3,7-diene,globulol and(E,E)-6,10,14-trimethyl-5,9,13-pentadecatrien-2-one are found in DP HE-RC because of chemical reactions and physical changes during decoction.
基金This study was supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program,CAS(XDA23080000)National Key R&D Program of China(2017YFA0605100)Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences,CAS(QYZDJ-SSW-SMC027).
文摘Reconstructing a robust species phylogeny and disentangling the evolutionary and biogeographic history of the gymnosperm genus Ephedra,which has a large genome and rich polyploids,remain a big challenge.Here we reconstructed a transcriptome-based phylogeny of 19 diploid Ephedra species,and explored evolutionary reticulations in this genus represented by 50 diploid and polyploid species,using four low-copy nuclear and nine plastid genes.The diploid species phylogeny indicates that the Mediterranean species diverged first,and the remaining species split into three clades,including the American species(Clade A),E.rhytidosperma,and all other Asian species(Clade B).The single-gene trees placed E.rhytidosperma sister to Clade A,Clade B,or Clades A+B in similar proportions,suggesting that radiation and gene flow likely occurred in the early evolution of Ephedra.In addition,reticulate evolution occurred not only among the deep nodes,but also in the recently evolved South American species,which further caused difficulty in phylogenetic reconstruction.Moreover,we found that allopolyploid speciation was pervasive in Ephedra.Our study also suggests that Ephedra very likely originated in the Tethys coast during the late Cretaceous,and the South American Ephedra species have a single origin by dispersal from Mexico or North America.
基金the National Key Research and Development Project(Nos.2019YFC1708802 and 2017YFC1702800)Henan province high-level personnel special support“ZhongYuan One Thousand People Pla”,Zhongyuan Leading Talent(No.ZYQR201810080)the Major Science and Technology Projects in Henan Province:Study on the key technology for quality control and the key characteristics of Rehmannia glutinosa,Dioscorea opposita Thunb.and Achyranthes bidentata Blume from Henan Province(No.171100310500).
文摘This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of Ephedra Herb(EH)extract on adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome(NS),providing an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of NS.Hematoxylin and eosin staining,creatinine,urea nitrogen,and kidn injury molecule-1 were used to evaluate the activities of EH extract on renal function.The levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress were detected by kits.The levels of reactive oxygen species,immune cells,and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry.A network pharmacological approach was used to predict the potential targets and mechanisms of EH extract in the treatment of NS.The protein levels of apoptosis-related proteins and CAMKK2,p-CAMKK2,AMPK,p-AMPK,mTOR and p-mTOR in the kidneys were detected by Western blot.The effective material basis of EH extract was screened by MTT assay.The AMPK pathway inhibitor(compound C,CC)was added to investigate the effect of the potent material basis on adriamycin-induced cell injury.EH extract significantly improved renal injury and relieve inflammation,oxidative stress,and apoptosis in rats.Network pharmacology and Western blot results showed that the effect of EH extract on NS may be associated with the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.Moreover,methylephedrine significantly ameliorated adriamycin-induced NRK-52e cell injury.Methylephedrine also significantly improved the phosphorylation of AMPK and mTOR,which were blocked by CC.In sum,EH extract may ameliorate renal injury via the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.Moreover,methylephedrine may be one of the material bases of EH extract.
基金supported by the Major State Basic Research Development Program(973 Program)of China(No.2013CB531800)
文摘The genus Ephedra of the Ephedraceae family contains more than 60 species of nonflowering seed plants distributed throughout Asia, America, Europe, and North Africa. These Ephedra species have medicinal, ecological, and economic value. This review aims to summarize the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of the Ephedra species to unveil opportunities for future research. Comprehensive information on the Ephedra species was collected by electronic search(e.g., GoogleScholar, Pubmed, Sci Finder, and Web of Science) and phytochemical books. The chemical compounds isolated from the Ephedra species include alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, polysaccharides, and others. The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies on the crude extracts, fractions and few isolated compounds of Ephedra species showed anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-obesity, antiviral, and diuretic activities. After chemical and pharmacological profiling, current research is focused on the antibacterial and antifungal effects of the phenolic acid compounds, the immunosuppressive activity of the polysaccharides, and the antitumor activity of flavonoids.
基金financially supported by the National Science Foundation of China(No.81302733)the research project of Chinese Ministry of education(No.113036A)+3 种基金the Program for Jiangsu province Innovative Research Team,the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University(No.NCET-13-1036)a project funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.JKZD2013004)the Open Project Program of State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines,China Pharmaceutical University(Nos.SKLNMZZYQ 201303 and SKLNMKF201220)
文摘With a great difference in therapeutic effects of Mahuang(MH, the stems of Ephedra sinica) and Mahuanggen(MHG, the roots of Ephedra sinica), chemical differences between MH and MHG should be investigated. In the present study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)-based plant metabolomics was employed to compare volatile oil profiles of MH and MHG. The antioxidant activities of volatile oils from MH and MHG were also compared. 32 differential chemical markers were identified according to the variable importance in the projection(VIP) value of orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) and P value of Mann-Whitney test. Among them, chemical markers of tetramethylpyrazine(TMP) and α-terpineol were quantified. Their contents were much higher in most MH samples compared with MHG. The antioxidant assay demonstrated that MH had significantly higher free radical-scavenging activity than MHG. Although MH and MHG derived from the same medicinal plant, there was much difference in their volatile oil profiles. MH samples had significantly higher content of two reported pharmacologically important chemical markers of TMP and α-terpineol, which may account for their different antioxidant activities.
基金Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81373887)The Traditional Chinese Medicine Standardization Project of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine(No.ZYXX-2014)The Beijing Municipal Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine"Generation 3+3"Project-Jin Shiyuan the Well-Known Old Man Chinese Medicine Studio Station(Beijing University of Chinese Medicine)Construction Project
文摘OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of serum containing Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) or Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) on the migration of alveolar macrophages(AM) and interstitial macrophages(IM) from normal rats, and to analyze and compare the mechanisms leading to cell migration differences.METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into three groups: Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica), Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis), and blank serum. After treatment with the herbs, serum was extracted from the rats. AM and IM were isolated from normal rats and cultured. The effects of Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) medicated serum on normal rat AM and IM chemotactic migration were determined by transwell assays. The CC chemokine receptor(CCR) 2, CCR5, voltage-gated Kvl. 3 K^+channel(Kv1. 3), and voltage-gated Kvl. 5 K^+channel(Kv1. 5) protein levels were analyzed by western blotting.RESULTS: The migration quantities of AM and IM in the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) medicated serum groups were significantly higher than those in the blank serum group(P < 0.01). Compared with the Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) medicated serum group, the migration quantity of cultured rat AM in the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) medicated serum group was significantly increased(P <0.01). Meanwhile, compared with the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) medicated serum group, the migration quantity of cultured rat IM in the Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) medicated serum group was significantly increased(P < 0.01).CCR2, CCR5, Kv1. 3, and Kv1. 5 proteins were expressed on the AM cell surface, and showed significantly higher expression in the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) medicated serum group compared with the Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis)medicated serum group. In contrast, CCR5, Kv1.3,and Kv1.5 proteins were expressed on the IM cell surface, and showed significantly higher expression in the Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis)medicated serum group compared with the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) medicated serum group.CONCLUSION: Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica)and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) can promote AM and IM migration ability, with Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) targeting AM more apparently and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) targeting IM more apparently. The mechanism may be that, by stimulating cells, Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) promote expression of CCR2 and CCR5 receptors on the AM and IM cell surface,which pass signals to Kvl.3 and Kvl.5 ion channels,leading to changes in the cytoskeleton, and ultimately promoting chemotactic cell migration.
