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Fujikane A, Fujikane R, Hyuga S, Sechi Y, Hiyoshi T, Sakamoto A, Nishi A, Odaguchi H, Hiromatsu K, Goda Y, Ishino Y, Nabeshima S. Antiviral effect of alkaloids-free Ephedra Herb extract on respiratory syncytial virus infection. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1410470. [PMID: 39035985 PMCID: PMC11257991 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1410470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory tract infection in children. Despite decades of efforts, no effective therapies are available. We recently reported that extracts of Ephedra Herb and Cinnamon Bark interacted with the G attachment protein of RSV to inhibit infectivity. The present in vitro study aimed to investigate the antiviral effect of ephedrine alkaloids-free Ephedra Herb extract (EFE), which is characterized by free of harmful effects of ephedrine alkaloids in Ephedra Herb, on experimental RSV infection. Infection of RSV into A549 cells simultaneously with EFE resulted the significant reduction of RSV RNA, viral protein, and viral titers after the incubation of the cells. We found that RSV attachment to the cell surface was inhibited both in the presence of EFE and when RSV particles were pre-treated with EFE. We also found that EFE specifically interacted with the central conserved domain of RSV G protein by surface plasmon resonance, demonstrating that specific binding of G protein to the cellular receptor was inhibited by EFE. Another mechanism was found in which a higher concentration of EFE inhibited the viral load immediately after the viral entry into host cells, suggesting the inhibition of viral RNA replication. These results demonstrate that EFE worked against RSV infection through multiple antiviral mechanisms, a unique feature of this crude drug extract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Fujikane
- Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Fujikane
- Department of Physiological Science and Molecular Biology, Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka, Japan
- Oral Medicine Research Center, Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Sumiko Hyuga
- Oriental Medicine Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Sechi
- Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hiyoshi
- Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Atsuhiko Sakamoto
- Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Akinori Nishi
- TSUMURA Advanced Technology Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Odaguchi
- Oriental Medicine Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Hiromatsu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Goda
- National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshizumi Ishino
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shigeki Nabeshima
- Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Kakimoto M, Nomura T, Nazmul T, Yamamoto A, Sasaki H, Higashiura A, Ito M, Ohge H, Mikage M, Ogawa KO, Sakaguchi T. In vitro anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 effect of Ephedra przewalskii Stapf extract. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117341. [PMID: 37879507 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The terrestrial stems of Ephedra (Ephedra spp.; including Ephedra sinica Stapf and Ephedra przewalskii Stapf) extracts are used in traditional medicines in East Asia. In Japan, the Kampo formula containing E. sinica extract is prescribed for the treatment of the common cold, influenza virus infections, and mild symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although ephedrine alkaloids in E. sinica exert antitussive effects, they may have side effects associated with the sympathetic nervous system. E. przewalskii extract, a drug used in traditional Uyghur and Mongolian medicine, is considered to be free of ephedrine alkaloids and is a promising candidate for the treatment of infectious diseases. However, its use is currently limited because evidence of its antiviral efficacy remains inconclusive. AIM OF THE STUDY We compared the anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) effects of E. przewalskii and E. sinica extracts in vitro. Additionally, we examined the differences in their antiviral effects against different SARS-CoV-2 strains. MATERIALS AND METHODS VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells were infected with SARS-CoV-2 (Conventional, Delta, and Omicron strains-BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5), and lysates prepared from each herbal extract were added. The infectious titer was determined using the 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) method; in turn, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated for each extract to compare the antiviral efficacy of E. sinica and E. przewalskii extracts. Further, the extracts were compared with remdesivir for their antiviral efficacy against the conventional viral strain. To verify the effect of the inactivation of virus particles, these extracts were added to each SARS-CoV-2 strain, and the infectious titers were determined using the TCID50 method. RESULTS The antiviral efficacy (i.e., IC50) of the E. przewalskii extract against each SARS-CoV-2 strain was 2.7-10.8-fold greater than that of the E. sinica extract. The antiviral efficacy of the E. przewalskii extract against conventional viral strains was compared with that of remdesivir, which was 1/27.6 of remdesivir's efficacy. The E. sinica extract showed minimal inactivation of virus particles of each strain, whereas the E. przewalskii extract resulted in substantial viral inactivation. CONCLUSIONS The E. przewalskii extract showed higher antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 than the E. sinica extract. Overall, our study suggests that E. przewalskii extract can be used for the treatment of viral infections, including COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Kakimoto
- Department of Community Based Medical System, School of Medicine, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan; Department of General Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan.
| | - Toshihito Nomura
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan; Department of Virology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Tanuza Nazmul
- Department of Virology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Akima Yamamoto
- Department of Virology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Sasaki
- Department of Virology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan; Division of Health, First Service School, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, Etajimacho Kokuyu-mubanchi, Etajima, 737-2195, Japan
| | - Akifumi Higashiura
- Department of Virology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Masanori Ito
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Hiroki Ohge
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Masayuki Mikage
- Emeritus of Kanazawa University, Kakumamachi, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Keiko Ochiai Ogawa
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan; Department of Kampo Clinical Center, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Takemasa Sakaguchi
- Department of Virology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
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Huang X, Hyuga S, Amakura Y, Hyuga M, Uchiyama N, Hakamatsuka T, Goda Y, Odaguchi H, Hanawa T, Kobayashi Y. Overlooked switch from transient sedation to sustained excitement in the Biphasic effects of Ephedra Herb extract administered orally to mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 301:115827. [PMID: 36240977 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE In our previous study, we reported that Ephedra Herb extract (EHE) increased the locomotor activity of mice in the open-field test and reduced the immobility time in the forced swim test. Ephedrine alkaloids (EAs) are thought to be responsible for the adverse effects of Ephedra Herb. However, there are no reports to verify that the adverse effects of Ephedra Herb are caused by the amount of EAs in the herb. Therefore, we investigated whether these adverse effects of EHE are caused by the amounts of ephedrine (Eph) and pseudoephedrine (Pse) in the herbal extract. In a preliminary study of the time course analysis of the open field test, we newly observed that EHE evoked switching from transient sedation to sustained excitement. AIM OF THE STUDY We aimed to confirm whether EHE evokes switching from transient sedation to sustained excitement, investigate whether these actions of EHE are caused by the amount of ephedrine (Eph) and pseudoephedrine (Pse) in the herbal extract, and clarify the molecular mechanism of the transient sedative effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS The locomotor activity of mice was tested using the open-field test. The immobility times were measured using a forced swim test, and the motor dysfunction in mice was tested using the rotarod test. RESULTS EHE, Eph, and Pse induced transient motionlessness between 0 and 15 min after oral administration, however, they did not induce depression-like behavior and motor dysfunction in mice, suggesting that the motionlessness induced by EHE, Eph, or Pse resulted from sedation. The α2a adrenoceptor inhibitor, atipamezole, decreased their sedative effects. Thus, immediately after EHE administration, the transient sedative effect is mediated through the activation of the α2a adrenoreceptor by Eph and Pse. EHE and Eph increased total locomotor activity for 15-120 min after oral administration; however, Pse had no effect. Therefore, the slow-onset and sustained excitatory effects of EHE are mediated by Eph. CONCLUSIONS We discovered for the first time that EHE evokes diphasic action by switching from transient sedation to sustained excitement. The transient sedation was evoked by the Eph and Pse in the herbal extract via activation of the α2a adrenoceptor and the sustained excitement was caused by the Eph in the herbal extract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuedan Huang
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan; Oriental Medicine Research Center of Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Sumiko Hyuga
- Oriental Medicine Research Center of Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Yoshiaki Amakura
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University, Ehime, Japan.
| | - Masashi Hyuga
- National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | | | | | - Yukihiro Goda
- National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Odaguchi
- Oriental Medicine Research Center of Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Toshihiko Hanawa
- Oriental Medicine Research Center of Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Yoshinori Kobayashi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan; Oriental Medicine Research Center of Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan.
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Goda Y. Regulatory science of natural products. J Nat Med 2022; 76:732-747. [PMID: 35870047 PMCID: PMC9307968 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-022-01639-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Foods and pharmaceuticals play key roles in public health and welfare and ensuring that these products meet their quality assurance standards is a top priority in health and medical care. Quality assurance of natural products is essential in pharmaceutical sciences because the outset of a medicine is a natural, crude drug. Regulatory science underpins scientific regulations and is closely related to the quality assurance of foods and pharmaceuticals to ensure their safety and efficacy. During my time at the National Institute of Health Sciences, Japan, from 1986 to present, the regulatory science of natural products has been my main research focus. This review discusses 24 studies related to the regulatory science of natural food additives, 26 related to foods, 23 related to borderline products, 16 related to illicit psychotropic mushrooms, plants, and agents, and 57 related to herbal medicines. In later sections, the regulatory science for ethical Kampo products with new dosage forms and herbal medicines that use Kampo extracts as active pharmaceutical ingredients are discussed. My experience from the early twenty-first century in research projects on the bioequivalence of Kampo products and the development of ephedrine alkaloid-free Ephedra Herb extract demonstrate that regulatory science is crucial for developing new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiro Goda
- National Institute of Health Sciences, 25-26 Tonomachi 3-chome, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-9501, Japan.
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Potential Molecular Mechanisms of Ephedra Herb in the Treatment of Nephrotic Syndrome Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:9214589. [PMID: 35837376 PMCID: PMC9276517 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9214589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Objective To explore the possible mechanisms of Ephedra herb (EH) in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome (NS) by using network pharmacology and molecular docking in this study. Methods Active ingredients and related targets of EH were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, and the gene names corresponding to the proteins were found through the UniProt database. Then, target genes related to NS were screened out from GeneCards, PharmGKB, and OMIM databases. Next, the intersection targets were obtained successfully through Venn diagram, which were also seen as key target genes of EH and NS. Cytoscape 3.9.0 software was used to construct the effective “active ingredient-target” network diagram, and “drug-ingredient-target-disease (D-I-T-D)” network diagram. After that, the STRING database was used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment involved in the targets were performed by the DAVID database and ClueGO plugin in Cytoscape. Finally, AutoDockTools software was used for molecular docking to verify the binding strength between main active ingredients and key target proteins. Results A total of 22 main active ingredients such as quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, and naringenin were obtained, which could act on 105 targets related to NS. Through PPI network, 53 core targets such as AKT1, TNF, IL6, VEGFA, and IL1B were found, which might play a crucial role in the treatment of NS. Meanwhile, these targets were significantly involved in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, hepatitis B, and pathways in cancer through GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. The docking results indicated that active ingredients such as kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin, and naringenin all had good binding to the target protein AKT1 or TNF. Among them, luteolin and naringenin binding with AKT1 showed the best binding energy (-6.2 kcal/mol). Conclusion This study indicated that the potential mechanism of EH in treating NS may be related to PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, which provided better approaches for exploring the mechanism in treating NS and new ideas for further in vivo and in vitro experimental verifications.
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Yahagi H, Yahagi T, Matsumura M, Igarashi K, Yokoyama N, Matsuzaki K. Inhibitory activity of flavonoids from Ephedrae Herba on hypoxia signaling in PANC-1 cells and the evaluation of their mechanisms. J Nat Med 2021; 75:612-622. [PMID: 33813664 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-021-01507-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease with a very poor prognosis. Recent reports indicate that hypoxia signaling mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) contributes to the progression of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, elucidating the inhibitor of hypoxia signaling may lead to the development of a candidate for new anticancer agents. During our screening program for HIF inhibitor from crude drug extracts, new acylated kaempferol glycosides, kaempferol 3-O-[4″-(E)-p-coumaroyl-3″-O-dihydroxypalmityl] rhamnoside (1) and kaempferol 3-O-[4″-(E)-p-coumaroyl-2″-O-dihydroxypalmityl] rhamnoside (2), were isolated from an acetone extract of Ephedrae Herba, together with eight known flavonol glycosides (3-10). The structures of novel compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated based on spectroscopic and chemical analyses. Using a cell-based HRE-driven luciferase reporter assay in a PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cell line, we found that these compounds demonstrated potent inhibitory activity on hypoxia signaling with IC50 values of 18.0 ± 0.6 and 13.3 ± 2.2 µM, respectively. Mechanistically, 2 reduced the amount of HIF-1α protein in the nuclear at 30 µM via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway with no effect on the nuclear translocation of HIF proteins from cytosol and subsequently decreased Glut1 mRNA. These results indicate that 2 inhibits hypoxia signaling through a mechanism involving the reduction of HIF-1α protein levels and Glut1 mRNA and may have anti-pancreatic cancer effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Yahagi
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi-shi, Chiba, 274-8555, Japan
| | - Tadahiro Yahagi
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi-shi, Chiba, 274-8555, Japan
| | - Miki Matsumura
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi-shi, Chiba, 274-8555, Japan
| | - Kota Igarashi
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi-shi, Chiba, 274-8555, Japan
| | - Natsumi Yokoyama
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi-shi, Chiba, 274-8555, Japan
| | - Keiichi Matsuzaki
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi-shi, Chiba, 274-8555, Japan.
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Nagata Y, Ando H, Sasaki Y, Suzuki R. Ephedra Herb, Mao, Inhibits Antigen-Induced Mast Cell Degranulation by Induction of the Affinity Receptor for IgE Internalization. Pharm Res 2021; 38:569-581. [PMID: 33754256 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-021-03020-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ephedra herb (Mao) exerts potent anti-allergic effects. This study aimed to examine the underlying mechanisms of Mao on allergic inflammation using in vitro cultured mast cells (MCs) and an in vivo model of MC-dependent anaphylaxis. METHODS Bone marrow-derived MCs (BMMCs) were presensitized with anti-2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) immunoglobulin E (IgE) and challenged with antigens (Ag; DNP-human serum albumin). Degranulation responses and cell surface high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcεRI) expression were assessed with/without Mao treatment. Passive systemic anaphylaxis (PSA)-treated mice were administered Mao and the pathophysiological responses were evaluated. RESULTS Mao inhibited Ag-induced BMMC degranulation, but not polyclonal activation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, indicating that Mao inhibits IgE-dependent activation of BMMCs. Mao-treated BMMCs exhibited significant reductions in expression of surface IgE and its receptor FcεRI. Analysis of subcellular localization revealed that Mao induces FcεRI internalization in BMMCs without degranulation. In the PSA mouse model, Mao administration prevented antigen-induced hypothermia. Mao administration significantly reduced cell surface expression of IgE-bound FcεRI on peritoneal MCs. CONCLUSIONS Mao induced FcεRI internalization in MCs, thereby inhibiting Ag-induced IgE-dependent degranulation. The inhibitory effects of Mao on MC degranulation may offer a novel therapeutic approach for allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Nagata
- Laboratory of Hygienic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi Ishikawa, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Ando
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yohei Sasaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Ryo Suzuki
- Laboratory of Hygienic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi Ishikawa, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan.
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A Review on Worldwide Ephedra History and Story: From Fossils to Natural Products Mass Spectroscopy Characterization and Biopharmacotherapy Potential. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:1540638. [PMID: 32419789 PMCID: PMC7210547 DOI: 10.1155/2020/1540638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Growing worldwide, the genus Ephedra (family Ephedraceae) had a medicinal, ecological, and economic value. The extraordinary morphological diversity suggests that Ephedra was survivor of an ancient group, and its antiquity is also supported by fossil data. It has recently been suggested that Ephedra appeared 8–32 million years ago, and a few megafossils document its presence in the Early Cretaceous. Recently, the high analytical power provided by the new mass spectrometry (MS) instruments is making the characterization of Ephedra metabolites more feasible, such as ephedrine series. In this regard, the chemical compounds isolated from crude extracts, fractions, and few isolated compounds of Ephedra species were characterized by MS-based techniques (LC-MS, LC-ESI-MS, HPLC-PDA-ESI/MS, LC-DAD-ESI/MSn, LC/Orbitrap MS, etc.). Moreover, we carry out an exhaustive review of the scientific literature on biomedicine and pharmacotherapy (anticancer, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antiarthritic, and anti-influenza activities; proapoptotic and cytotoxic potential; and so on). Equally, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were discussed. This review is focused on all these topics, along with current studies published in the last 5 years (2015–2019) providing in-depth information for readers.
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Yoshimura M, Amakura Y, Hyuga S, Hyuga M, Nakamori S, Maruyama T, Oshima N, Uchiyama N, Yang J, Oka H, Ito H, Kobayashi Y, Odaguchi H, Hakamatsuka T, Hanawa T, Goda Y. Quality Evaluation and Characterization of Fractions with Biological Activity from Ephedra Herb Extract and Ephedrine Alkaloids-Free Ephedra Herb Extract. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2020; 68:140-149. [PMID: 32009081 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c19-00761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we reported that the c-Met inhibitory effect of Ephedra Herb extract (EHE) is derived from ingredients besides ephedrine alkaloids. Moreover, analgesic and anti-influenza activities of EHE and ephedrine alkaloids-free Ephedra Herb extract (EFE) have been reported recently. In this study, we examined the fractions containing c-Met kinase inhibitory activity from EHE and the fractions with analgesic and anti-influenza activities from EFE, and elucidated the structural characteristics of the active fractions. Significant c-Met kinase activity was observed in 30, 40, and 50% methanol (MeOH) eluate fractions obtained from water extract of EHE using Diaion HP-20 column chromatography. Similarly, 20 and 40% MeOH, and MeOH eluate fractions obtained from water extract of EFE were found to display analgesic and anti-influenza activities. Reversed phase-HPLC analysis of the active fractions commonly showed broad peaks characteristic of high-molecular mass condensed tannin. The active fractions were analyzed using 13C-NMR and decomposition reactions; the deduced structures of active components were high-molecular mass condensed tannins, which were mainly procyanidin B-type and partly procyanidin A-type, including pyrogallol- and catechol-type flavan 3-ols as extension and terminal units. HPLC and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analyses estimated that the ratio of pyrogallol- and catechol-type was approximately 9 : 2, and the weight-average molecular weight based on the polystyrene standard was >45000. Furthermore, GPC-based analysis was proposed as the quality evaluation method for high-molecular mass condensed tannin in EHE and EFE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sumiko Hyuga
- Oriental Medicine Research Center, Kitasato University
| | | | - Shunsuke Nakamori
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University
| | | | - Naohiro Oshima
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science
| | | | | | - Hideki Oka
- Zeria Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Central Research Laboratories
| | - Hideyuki Ito
- Department of Nutritional Science, Faculty of Health and Welfare Sciences, Okayama Prefectural University
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Odaguchi H, Hyuga S, Sekine M, Nakamori S, Takemoto H, Huang X, Oshima N, Shimada N, Yang J, Amakura Y, Hyuga M, Uchiyama N, Kobayashi Y, Hakamatsuka T, Goda Y, Hanawa T. The Adverse Effects of Ephedra Herb and the Safety of Ephedrine Alkaloids-free Ephedra Herb Extract (EFE). YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2019; 139:1417-1425. [DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.19-00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sumiko Hyuga
- Oriental Medicine Research Center, Kitasato University
| | - Mariko Sekine
- Oriental Medicine Research Center, Kitasato University
| | - Shunsuke Nakamori
- Oriental Medicine Research Center, Kitasato University
- School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University
| | - Hiroaki Takemoto
- Oriental Medicine Research Center, Kitasato University
- School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University
| | - Xuedan Huang
- Oriental Medicine Research Center, Kitasato University
- School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University
| | - Naohiro Oshima
- Tokyo University of Science Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
| | | | | | - Yoshiaki Amakura
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University
| | | | | | - Yoshinori Kobayashi
- Oriental Medicine Research Center, Kitasato University
- School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University
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