Pharmacological activities on Ephedra nebrodensis Tineo

Nat Prod Res. 2010 Jul;24(12):1115-24. doi: 10.1080/14786410802680902.

Abstract

As a part of our endeavour to screen Mediterranean medicinal plants for various pharmacological activities, we evaluated antihistaminic, adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, hypotensive and locomotor properties, and antioxidant potential of Ephedra nebrodensis. (1)H-NMR spectroscopy was carried out to identify the plant metabolites, which confirmed the presence of ephedrinic skeleton alkaloids. The ethanol : acetone (1 : 1) extract exhibited dose-related antihistaminic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, hypotensive, antioxidant and locomotor stimulant activity. The plant bears potential for further studies.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / chemistry
  • Analgesics / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Ephedra / chemistry*
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Histamine Antagonists / chemistry
  • Histamine Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Histamine Antagonists
  • Plant Extracts