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J Nat Med. 2016 Mar 4. [Epub ahead of print]
Ephedrine alkaloids-free Ephedra Herb extract: a safer alternative to ephedra with comparable analgesic, anticancer, and anti-influenza activities.
Hyuga S1, Hyuga M2, Oshima N3, Maruyama T2, Kamakura H2, Yamashita T4, Yoshimura M5, Amakura Y5, Hakamatsuka T2, Odaguchi H6, Goda Y2, Hanawa T6.
Author information
Abstract
It is generally accepted that the primary pharmacological activities and adverse effects of Ephedra Herb are caused by ephedrine alkaloids. Interestingly, our research shows that Ephedra Herb also has ephedrine alkaloid-independent pharmacological actions, such as c-MET inhibitory activity. This study describes the preparation of an ephedrine alkaloids-free Ephedra Herb extract (EFE) by ion-exchange column chromatography, as well as in vitro and in vivo evaluation of its pharmacological actions and toxicity. We confirmed that EFE suppressed hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced cancer cell motility by preventing both HGF-induced phosphorylation of c-Met and its tyrosine kinase activity. We also investigated the analgesic effect of EFE. Although the analgesic effect of Ephedra Herb has traditionally been attributed to pseudoephedrine, oral administration of EFE reduced formalin-induced pain in a dose-dependent manner in mice. Furthermore, we confirmed the anti-influenza virus activity of EFE by showing inhibition of MDCK cell infection in a concentration-dependent manner. All assessments of toxicity, even after repeated oral administration, suggest that EFE would be a safer alternative to Ephedra Herb. The findings described here suggest that EFE has c-Met inhibitory action, analgesic effect, and anti-influenza activity, and that it is safer than Ephedra Herb extract itself. Therefore, EFE could be a useful pharmacological agent.
KEYWORDS:
Analgesia; EFE; Ephedra Herb; Influenza; Kampo; c-Met
PMID: 26943796 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Ephedrine alkaloids-free Ephedra Herb extract: a safer alternative to ephedra with comparable analgesic, anticancer, and anti-influenza activities.
Hyuga S1, Hyuga M2, Oshima N3, Maruyama T2, Kamakura H2, Yamashita T4, Yoshimura M5, Amakura Y5, Hakamatsuka T2, Odaguchi H6, Goda Y2, Hanawa T6.
Author information
Abstract
It is generally accepted that the primary pharmacological activities and adverse effects of Ephedra Herb are caused by ephedrine alkaloids. Interestingly, our research shows that Ephedra Herb also has ephedrine alkaloid-independent pharmacological actions, such as c-MET inhibitory activity. This study describes the preparation of an ephedrine alkaloids-free Ephedra Herb extract (EFE) by ion-exchange column chromatography, as well as in vitro and in vivo evaluation of its pharmacological actions and toxicity. We confirmed that EFE suppressed hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced cancer cell motility by preventing both HGF-induced phosphorylation of c-Met and its tyrosine kinase activity. We also investigated the analgesic effect of EFE. Although the analgesic effect of Ephedra Herb has traditionally been attributed to pseudoephedrine, oral administration of EFE reduced formalin-induced pain in a dose-dependent manner in mice. Furthermore, we confirmed the anti-influenza virus activity of EFE by showing inhibition of MDCK cell infection in a concentration-dependent manner. All assessments of toxicity, even after repeated oral administration, suggest that EFE would be a safer alternative to Ephedra Herb. The findings described here suggest that EFE has c-Met inhibitory action, analgesic effect, and anti-influenza activity, and that it is safer than Ephedra Herb extract itself. Therefore, EFE could be a useful pharmacological agent.
KEYWORDS:
Analgesia; EFE; Ephedra Herb; Influenza; Kampo; c-Met
PMID: 26943796 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]