A Review on Worldwide Ephedra History and Story: From Fossils to Natural Products Mass Spectroscopy Characterization and Biopharmacotherapy Potential

Exploring the therapeutic mechanism of Yuebi decoction on nephrotic syndrome based on network pharmacology and experimental study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the material basis of YBD and its possible mechanisms against NS through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo experiment.

METHODS

Active ingredients and potential targets of YBD were obtained through TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction. NS-related targets were obtained from GeneCards, PharmGKB, and OMIM databases. The herb-ingredient-target network and PPI network were constructed by Cytoscape 3.9.1 and STRING database. GO and KEGG analyses were performed by DAVID database and ClueGO plugin. The connection between main active ingredients and core targets were revealed by molecular docking. To ascertain the effects and molecular mechanisms of YBD, a rat model was established by PAN.

RESULTS

We collected 124 active ingredients, 269 drug targets, and 2089 disease targets. 119 overlapping were screened for subsequent analysis. PPI showed that AKT1, STAT3, TRPC6, CASP3, JUN, PPP3CA, IL6, PTGS2, VEGFA, and NFATC3 were potential therapeutic targets of YBD against NS. Through GO and KEGG analyses, it showed the therapeutic effect of YBD on NS was closely involved in the regulation of pathways related to podocyte injury, including AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications and MAPK signaling pathway. Five key bioactive ingredients of YBD had the good affinity with the core targets. the experiment confirmed the renoprotective effects of YBD through reducing podocyte injury. Furthermore, YBD could downregulate expressions of PPP3CA, STAT3, NFATC3, TRPC6, and AKT1 in rats.

CONCLUSIONS

YBD might be a potential drug in the treatment of NS, and the underlying mechanism is closely associated with the inhibition of podocyte injury.

Ephedra intermedia Schrenk & C. A. Mey Methanol Extract: Nanoencapsulation by Mini-Emulsion Polymerization and its Release Trend under Simulated Conditions of the Human Body

In this research, the extract of Ephedra intermedia Schrenk & C.A.Mey. was encapsulated using the mini-emulsion polymerization method based on methyl methacrylate polymers with a nanometer size. The encapsulated extract was characterized using different analytical techniques. Furthermore, the loading efficiency and release of the plant extract were examined. FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of an expectational product. The TEM and SEM imaging showed a spherical morphology for the prepared encapsulated extract. The average size of poly-methyl-methacrylate nanoparticles containing Ephedra extract was found to be approximately 47 nm. The extract loading efficiency and encapsulation efficiency test demonstrated a dose-depending behavior on E. intermedia extract for both analyses, which is highly advantageous for traversing biological barriers. The release assay shows a controlled release for the extract at phosphate buffer solution (PBS). A 38 % release was calculated after 36 hours. The results obtained from the present study reveal that encapsulating the plant extract is a suitable alternative to control and increase their medicinal properties.

Ethnobotanical Uses and Pharmacological Activities of Moroccan Ephedra Species

Ephedra species are among the most popular herbs used in traditional medicine for a long time. The ancient Chinese medical book "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" refers to the classic traditional Chinese medicine prescription Ge Gen decoction, which consists of seven herbs, including an Ephedra species. Ephedra species are utilized all over the world to treat symptoms of the common cold and coughs, and to combat major human diseases, such as asthma, cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular and digestive disorders, and microbial infections. This study aimed at identifying specific Ephedra species used traditionally in Morocco for therapeutic purposes. The plant parts, their preparation process, and the treated pathologies were identified and analyzed. The results revealed five ethnobotanically important species of Ephedra: Ephedra alata Decne, Ephedra altissima Desf., Ephedra distachya L., Ephedra fragilis Desf., and Ephedra nebrodensis Tineo. These species are used traditionally in Morocco for treating people with diabetes, cancer, rheumatism, cold and asthma, hypertension, influenza virus infection, and respiratory ailments. In addition, they are occasionally used as calefacient agents, to regulate weight, or for capillary care. Few studies have underlined the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of some of these Moroccan Ephedra species, but little information is available regarding the natural products at the origin of the bioactivities. Further phytochemical investigations and clinical data are encouraged to better support the use of these plants.

Assessment of the anti-cancer potential of Ephedra foeminea leaf extract on MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, 4 T1, and MCF-10 breast cancer cell lines: Cytotoxic, apoptotic and oxidative assays

Ephedra foeminea is traditionally used to treat breast cancer in several Arab countries. Scientific studies have reported different effects of this plant on some cancer cell lines. The current study determined the anti-cancer potential of the methanolic extract of Ephedra foeminea against four different types of breast cancer cell lines in-vitro. The extract was prepared by maceration and phytoconstituents were identified by LC-MS analysis. The IC50 value was determined against MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, 4 T1, and MCF-10 cell lines using the MTT assay. Further investigations were carried out using IC50 concentration of the extract (40.09 µg/ml) to determine live/dead cells by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining. The effect on the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was evaluated by flow cytometry. The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test. The LC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 34 and 30 phytoconstituents in positive and negative modes respectively. The Ephedra foeminea extract was most effective against 4 T1 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001) with an IC50 value of 40.09 µg/ml and showed negligible effect against MCF-10 cells. It increased apoptosis in 77.84 % of 4 T1 cells, as determined by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining. The extract also increased the ROS expression in the 39.57 % of 4 T1 cells. The study results showed that Ephedra foeminea extract possesses an anti-cancer effect against 4 T1 cells by increasing the expression of ROS and inducing apoptosis in the 4 T1 cells. The result suggests Ephedra foemenia methanolic extract possesses a reasonable anti-cancer effect due to its effect on apoptosis and oxidative pathways. The results confirm the traditional belief that Ephedra is effective against breast cancerز.

Exploring the potential of a Ephedra alata leaf extract: Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity, antibacterial properties, and green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

Ephedra alata leaf extracts have therapeutic properties and contain various natural compounds known as phytochemicals. This study assessed the phytochemical content and antioxidant effects of a Ephedra alata leaf extract, as well as zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle production. The extract contained phenolic acids, including vanillic acid, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, vanillin and rutin. Its total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were 48.7 ± 0.9 mg.g-1 and 1.7 ± 0.4 mg.g-1, respectively. The extract displayed a DPPH inhibition rate of 70.5%, total antioxidant activity of 49.5 ± 3.4 mg.g-1, and significant antimicrobial activity toward Gram-positive and negative bacteria. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles had spherical shape, crystallite size of 25 nm, particle size between 5 and 30 nm, and bandgap energy of 3.3 eV. In specific conditions (90 min contact time, pH 7, and 25°C), these nanoparticles efficiently photodegraded 87% of methylene blue, suggesting potential applications for sustainable water treatment and pollution control.

Bio-Guided Assay of Ephedra foeminea Forssk Extracts and Anticancer Activities: In Vivo, In Vitro, and In Silico Evaluations

Ephedra is one of the oldest known medicinal plants and the largest genera of the Ephedraceae family. In vivo antitumor evaluation of Ephedra foeminea revealed that ethyl acetate (EtOAc) was the most bioactive fraction. Bio-guided fractionation of EtOAc fraction afforded nine compounds isolated for the first time from the plant species. Macrocyclic spermine alkaloids (1,9), proanthocyanidins (2,4,5), quinoline alkaloids (7,8), phenolic (3), and nucleoside (6) were identified and elucidated by spectroscopic analyses including 1D and 2D NMR, ESI-MS-MS spectrometry. The tested compounds exhibited moderate anticancer activity, except for the kynurenic acid derivative (6-mKYNA) which showed significant cytotoxicity and remarkable inhibition of CA-19.9 and CA-125 tumor biomarkers. In-silico study was conducted to determine the anti-proliferative mechanism of 6-mKYNA by using the CK2 enzyme active site. Moreover, the ADME computational study suggested that 6-mKYNA is an effective candidate with a promising pharmacokinetic profile and therapeutic potential against various types of cancer.

Repurposing Drugs: An Empowering Approach to Drug Discovery and Development

Drug discovery and development is a time-consuming and costly procedure that necessitates a substantial effort. Drug repurposing has been suggested as a method for developing medicines that takes less time than developing brand new medications and will be less expensive. Also known as drug repositioning or re-profiling, this strategy has been in use from the time of serendipitous drug discoveries to the modern computer aided drug designing and use of computational chemistry. In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic too, drug repurposing emerged as a ray of hope in the dearth of available medicines. Data availability by electronic recording, libraries, and improvements in computational techniques offer a vital substrate for systemic evaluation of repurposing candidates. In the not-too-distant future, it could be possible to create a global research archive for us to access, thus accelerating the process of drug development and repurposing. This review aims to present the evolution, benefits and drawbacks including current approaches, key players and the legal and regulatory hurdles in the field of drug repurposing. The vast quantities of available data secured in multiple drug databases, assisting in drug repurposing is also discussed.

The role of Algerian Ephedra alata ethanolic extract in inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells by inducing apoptosis in a p53- dependent pathway

Background

Ephedra alata, a member of the Ephedraceae family, was used to treat different diseases and it might be shown a strong efficacy to inhibit cancer cell lines.

Methods

Due to the limited research available about this plant, the objective of this research was to evaluate the antioxidant, cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Ephedra alata ethanolic extract (EAEE), against different human cancer cell lines.

Results

EAEE inhibited the growth of the liver (HepG2), breast (MCF-7), and colon cancer cells (Caco-2). MCF-7 cells with an IC₅₀ of 153 µg/ml, were the most sensitive to the extract. Furthermore, exploration using flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC/PI assay demonstrated that EAEE caused death for all human cancer cells mainly through apoptosis. Very interestingly, qRT-PCR analysis using the ΔΔCt method revealed that four genes, Bax, p21, RB1, and TP53 were up-regulated in MCF-7 cells treated either with EAEE or S-FU drug. These findings let us believe that the mechanism by which EAEE kills breast cancer cells seems to be apoptosis via a P53-dependent manner, which involved intrinsic pathways through the induction of Bax, p21, and RB1.

Conclusions

EAEE exhibits good biological properties in contradiction of HepG-2, MCF-7, and Caco-2 cell lines. This study appoints for the first time that EAEE increases the expression in MCF-7 cells of p53 and three more genetic traits that control cellular proliferation and apoptosis. Therefore, this plant could serve as a potential source to find new pro-apoptotic drugs for cancer treatment.

The use of Ephedra herbs in the treatment of COVID-19

Objective

Ephedra herbs are the only extant genus in its family, Ephedraceae, and order, Ephedrales. It has been prescribed in traditional medicine for improving headaches and respiratory infections. On the other hand, because the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes respiratory problems and COVID-19 pandemic is the most widespread outbreak that has affected humanity in the last century, the current review aims using literature search to investigate the effects of the Ephedra herbs compounds on COVID-19 to supply a reference for its clinical application in the inhibition and remedy of COVID-19.

Materials and Methods

This review was performed using articles published in various databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, without a time limit. For this paper, the following keywords were used: "Ephedra", "coronavirus disease 2019", "COVID-19", "Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" or "SARS CoV 2".

Results

The results of this review show that the Ephedra herbs have effectiveness on COVID-19 and its compounds can bind to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) with a high affinity and act as a blocker and prevent the binding of the virus.

Conclusion

Some plants used in traditional medicine, including the Ephedra herbs, with their active compounds, can be considered a candidate with high potential for the control and prevention of COVID-19.

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity and phytochemical qualitative analysis of Ephedra foliata Boiss. ex C.A. Mey

Introduction: Ephedra foliata Boiss. ex C.A. Mey of the Ephedraceae family is an evergreen shrub distributed throughout North Africa and Southwest Asia. It has been a characteristic source of alkaloids like ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and other related mixes, which are of great importance for their biological and pharmacological potential.

Objective: This study is aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial potential and phytochemical constituents studies on stem, leaves and flowers extracts of E. foliata.

Method: The air-dried plant sample was powdered with an electric grinder, then extracted successively with solvents, namely petroleum ether, petroleum benzene, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous using Soxhlet apparatus for 72 hours. The solid matter was separated by filtration and then solvents were evaporated with a vacuum rotary evaporator to obtain the crude extracts. Freshly prepared crude extracts were subjected to the standard procedures of preliminary phytochemical screening for the investigation of the presence or absence of different phytoconstituents. The result showed the presence of reducing sugars, flavonoids, and cardiac glycosides. Antimicrobial activity of the crude extract was determined by agar well diffusion method.

Results: Ethyl acetate extract showed the highest antimicrobial activity against all the tested pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Yersinia enterocolitica, Streptococcus pneumonia, Aspergillus terreus, Cladosporium herbarum and Candida tropicalis). All five extracts inhibited the growth of Y. enterocolitica.

Conclusion: The antimicrobial properties of E. foliata extracts are of great interest in light of the ongoing threat of microbial resistance to conventional antibiotics. Phytoconstituents present in the E. foliata extracts might be a good alternative to modern antimicrobials as a natural compound.

Untargeted Metabolomic Profiling and Antioxidant Capacities of Different Solvent Crude Extracts of Ephedra foeminea

Ephedra foeminea is a traditional medicinal plant used in the Eastern Mediterranean region. This study aims to investigate the chemical profiles of different solvent extracts of E. foeminea via an untargeted metabolomics approach, alongside determining their antioxidant capacities. E. foeminea samples collected from Jordan were macerated in solvents of varying polarities; dichloromethane/methanol, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and acetone. The crude extracts were subjected to comprehensive chemical profiling and metabolomics study using Gas chromatography–Mass spectrometry (GC–MS), Liquid chromatography–Mass spectrometry (LC–MS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The obtained data were analyzed using Venn diagrams, Principle Component Analysis (PCA), and Metabolite Enrichment Set Analysis (MESA). ABTS assay was performed to measure the crude extracts’ antioxidant activity. MESA revealed the dominant chemical groups as amino acids, fatty acids, carboxylic acids, and carbohydrates. Results indicated that dichloromethane/methanol and methanolic extracts had the most distinct composition as well as the most unique compounds. The methanolic extract had the most potency (IC50 249.6 µg/mL) in the ABTS assay. However, no significant differences were found. In conclusion, solvents influenced the recovery of metabolites in E. foeminea and the antioxidant activity of the E. foeminea methanolic extract could be correlated to the abundant presence of diverse bioactive compounds.

RP-HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS Qualitative Profiling, Antioxidant, Anti-Enzymatic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Non-Cytotoxic Properties of Ephedra alata Monjauzeana

An investigation was conducted to study the beneficial effects of Ephedra alata monjauzeana crude extract (EamCE). The chemical profile was determined using RP-HPLC–ESI-QTOF-MS analysis, revealing the presence of twenty-one flavonoids and phenolic acids. A series of antioxidant assays was carried out using ten different methods. The EamCE has demonstrated a significant antioxidant potential, with interesting IC₅₀ values not exceeding 40 µg/mL in almost activities. Likewise, a significant inhibition of key enzymes, involved in some health issues, such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, hyperpigmentation, dermatological disorders, gastric/urinary bacterial infections, and obesity, was observed for the first time. The IC₅₀ values ranged from 22.46 to 54.93. The anti-inflammatory and non-cytotoxic activities were assessed by heat-induced hemolysis and cell culture methods, respectively; the EamCE has shown a prominent effect in both tests, notably for the anti-inflammatory effect that was superior to the reference compound “diclofenac” (IC₅₀: 71.03 ± 1.38 > 70.23 ± 0.99 (µg/mL)). According to these results, this plant could be used in a large spectrum as a food supplement, as a natural remedy for various physiological disorders and pathologies; and it might serve as a preventive and health care agent.

High-performance liquid chromatography quantitative analysis of ephedrine alkaloids in Ephedrae Herba on a perfluorooctyl stationary phase

Ephedrae Herba is one of the most commonly used herbal medicines, and it has been shown that most of the clinical efficacy for cold and asthma is exerted by its alkaloidal components. A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed using a perfluorooctyl column for the simultaneous determination of five alkaloids (norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and methylephedrine) in Ephedrae Herba. The mobile phase comprising acetonitrile and 15 mM ammonium trifluoroacetate was used to elute the targets in isocratic elution mode. The method was validated for linearity (R²  > 0.999), repeatability, intraday and interday precision, recoveries with trueness (93.87-110.99%), limits of detection (5.35-5.76 µg/mL), and limits of quantification (20 µg/mL). The quantitative results revealed that the developed method was precise and accurate. Then it was successfully applied to determine the difference in the contents of three batches of Ephedrae Herba from three pharmaceutical companies.

In search of an ideal drug for safer treatment of obesity: The false promise of pseudoephedrine

Obesity is a major public health problem worldwide. Only relatively few treatment options are, at present, available for the management of obese patients. Furthermore, treatment of obesity is affected by the widespread misuse of drugs and food supplements. Ephedra sinica is an old medicinal herb, commonly used in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases. Ephedra species contain several alkaloids, including pseudoephedrine, notably endowed with indirect sympathomimetic pharmacodynamic properties. The anorexigenic effect of pseudoephedrine is attributable primarily to the inhibition of neurons located in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), mediating satiety stimuli. Pseudoephedrine influences lipolysis and thermogenesis through interaction with β3 adrenergic receptors and reduces fat accumulation through down-regulation of transcription factors related to lipogenesis. However, its use is associated with adverse events that involve to a large extent the cardiovascular and the central nervous system. Adverse events of pseudoephedrine also affect the eye, the intestine, and the skin, and, of relevance, sudden cardiovascular death related to dietary supplements containing Ephedra alkaloids has also been reported. In light of the limited availability of clinical data on pseudoephedrine in obesity, along with its significantly unbalanced risk/benefit profile, as well as of the psychophysical susceptibility of obese patients, it appears reasonable to preclude the prescription of pseudoephedrine in obese patients of any order and degree.

A system for reporting and evaluating adverse drug reactions of herbal medicine in Taiwan from 1998 to 2016

The Taiwan Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting System for Herbal Medicine (TADRRS-HM) has systematically documented suspected adverse events from adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports from 1998 (prior to its formal establishment in 2001) and evaluates safety profiles of herbal medicines. This article describes findings from 2079 ADR reports filed between 1998 and 2016: 941 reports involved single herbs and 87 involved folk herbals; 842 were generated from clinical trials, while 209 ADR reports involving foods, health foods, dietary supplement foods and herbal cuisine were grouped as Other. Severity assessments using the Modified Hartwig and Siegel scale classified 72.4% of ADRs as mild, 17.4% as moderate and 6.5% as severe. System Organ Class classification of the ADRs identified gastrointestinal system disorders as the most common (33.4%), followed by skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (21.2%). The TADRRS-HM records indicate that herbal medicines may cause a wide range of ADRs. Aconiti Radix, Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang, and Datura suaveolens were the most commonly reported single herb, herbal formula, and folk herbal, respectively. The data indicate that herbal medicines may cause a wide range of ADRs. This system will confer long-term benefits for the development of Taiwan’s herbal medicines adverse reaction database and facilitate epidemiological analysis.

Diversity in Chemical Structures and Biological Properties of Plant Alkaloids

Phytochemicals belonging to the group of alkaloids are signature specialized metabolites endowed with countless biological activities. Plants are armored with these naturally produced nitrogenous compounds to combat numerous challenging environmental stress conditions. Traditional and modern healthcare systems have harnessed the potential of these organic compounds for the treatment of many ailments. Various chemical entities (functional groups) attached to the central moiety are responsible for their diverse range of biological properties. The development of the characterization of these plant metabolites and the enzymes involved in their biosynthesis is of an utmost priority to deliver enhanced advantages in terms of biological properties and productivity. Further, the incorporation of whole/partial metabolic pathways in the heterologous system and/or the overexpression of biosynthetic steps in homologous systems have both become alternative and lucrative methods over chemical synthesis in recent times. Moreover, in-depth research on alkaloid biosynthetic pathways has revealed numerous chemical modifications that occur during alkaloidal conversions. These chemical reactions involve glycosylation, acylation, reduction, oxidation, and methylation steps, and they are usually responsible for conferring the biological activities possessed by alkaloids. In this review, we aim to discuss the alkaloidal group of plant specialized metabolites and their brief classification covering major categories. We also emphasize the diversity in the basic structures of plant alkaloids arising through enzymatically catalyzed structural modifications in certain plant species, as well as their emerging diverse biological activities. The role of alkaloids in plant defense and their mechanisms of action are also briefly discussed. Moreover, the commercial utilization of plant alkaloids in the marketplace displaying various applications has been enumerated.

Recent advancements in encapsulation of bioactive compounds as a promising technique for meat preservation

Encapsulation is currently considered as one the most valuable methods for preserving aromatic compounds or hiding odors, enhancing their thermal and oxidative stability, and expanding their food applications. Indeed, this current article was aimed to provide an overview regarding the encapsulation of plant bioactive compounds and the spray-drying and extrusion processes with a focused discussion regarding the encountered challenges for meat and meat product preservation. Furthermore, different ranges of carbohydrates as wall materials (carriers) besides the process conditions' effects on the encapsulation effectiveness and the particle size of the encapsulated bioactive compounds have been discussed. The encapsulation of these compounds ameliorates the quality of the stored meat products by further delaying in microflora growth and lipid/protein oxidation. Therefore, the innovative technologies for plant active compounds encapsulation offer a prospective alternative for natural preservation development in the meat industry.

Paleomedicine and the Evolutionary Context of Medicinal Plant Use

Modern human need for medicines is so extensive that it is thought to be a deep evolutionary behavior. There is abundant evidence from our Paleolithic and later prehistoric past, of survival after periodontal disease, traumas, and invasive medical treatments including trepanations and amputations, suggesting a detailed, applied knowledge of medicinal plant secondary compounds. Direct archeological evidence for use of plants in the Paleolithic is rare, but evidence is growing. An evolutionary context for early human use of medicinal plants is provided by the broad evidence for animal self-medication, in particular, of non-human primates. During the later Paleolithic, there is evidence for the use of poisonous and psychotropic plants, suggesting that Paleolithic humans built on and expanded their knowledge and use of plant secondary compounds.

Concentration of fifteen elements in herbaceous stems of Ephedra intermedia and influence of its growing soil

Mineral nutrients play important roles in the growth and metabolism of Ephedra intermedia, and are affected by soil factors. Fifteen elements were measured from wild E. intermedia as well as their growing soils using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy to investigate the influences and characteristics of herb elements. The pH, cation exchange capacity, humus and soil mechanical composition were also determined in rhizosphere soils. Results showed that E. intermedia stems contained high N, low P concentrations in macronutrients and high Fe in micronutrients, and enriched N, S, Cl, P and Sr from soils. The 15 herb elements were affected by one or more soil factors, and K, P, Zn, Fe and Mn were important soil elements that influenced the mineral accumulation of E. intermedia. This study was useful for the artificial cultivation of wild E. intermedia.

Effects of Ephedra alata extract on the quality of minced beef meat during refrigerated storage: A chemometric approach

The biopreservative effect of Ephedra alata aqueous extract (EAE), used at 0.156, 0.312 and 0.624%, on minced beef meat was evaluated by microbiological, physicochemical and sensory analyses during storage at 4 °C for 14 days. The results showed that EAE significantly (P < .05) delayed the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and carbonyls and reduced the sulfhydryl loss in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that EAE had a protective effect against lipids and protein oxidation. Concomitantly, an increase of redness and loss of lightness and yellowness was observed. Furthermore, two multivariate exploratory techniques, namely Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) were applied to all obtained data describing the main characteristics attributed to refrigerated meat samples. During storage time, the used chemometric approaches were useful in discriminating meat samples, and therefore offers an approach to underlay connections between meat quality features. The obtained findings demonstrated the strong potential of EAE as a natural preservative in meat and meat products.

A Review of the Ephedra genus: Distribution, Ecology, Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties

Ephedra is one of the largest genera of the Ephedraceae family, which is distributed in arid and semiarid regions of the world. In the traditional medicine from several countries some species from the genus are commonly used to treat asthma, cold, flu, chills, fever, headache, nasal congestion, and cough. The chemical constituents of Ephedra species have been of research interest for decades due to their contents of ephedrine-type alkaloids and its pharmacological properties. Other chemical constituents such as phenolic and amino acid derivatives also have resulted attractive and have provided evidence-based supporting of the ethnomedical uses of the Ephedra species. In recent years, research has been expanded to explore the endophytic fungal diversity associated to Ephedra species, as well as, the chemical constituents derived from these fungi and their pharmacological bioprospecting. Two additional aspects that illustrate the chemical diversity of Ephedra genus are the chemotaxonomy approaches and the use of ephedrine-type alkaloids as building blocks in organic synthesis. American Ephedra species, especially those that exist in Mexico, are considered to lack ephedrine type alkaloids. In this sense, the phytochemical study of Mexican Ephedra species is a promising area of research to corroborate their ephedrine-type alkaloids content and, in turn, discover new chemical compounds with potential biological activity. Therefore, the present review represents a key compilation of all the relevant information for the Ephedra genus, in particular the American species, the species distribution, their ecological interactions, its ethnobotany, its phytochemistry and their pharmacological activities and toxicities, in order to promote clear directions for future research.