Ephedrine alkaloids-free Ephedra Herb extract: a safer alternative to ephedra with comparable analgesic, anticancer, and anti-influenza activities.

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 tra

SUBMITTER: Hyuga S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4935746 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature