A review of the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Ephedra herb

Ephedra herb is a traditional Chinese medicine with a long history. Conventionally, it was used as a folk phytomedicine in many ancient medical books and traditional prescriptions. Up to date, a variety of specific ingredients have been found in Ephedra herb, mainly including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, polysaccharides, organic acids, volatile oils, and many other active compounds. These components from Ephedra herb account for its use as the accurate treatment of cold, cough, cardiovascular and immune system disease, cancer, microbial infection, and other diseases. Moreover, with the fast development of novel chemistry and medicine technology, new chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Ephedra herb are increasingly identified, demonstrating their great potential for various diseases treatment. Therefore, further detailed understanding and investigation of this ancient herb will offer new opportunities to develop novel therapeutics. This study systematically reviews its progress of phytochemistry, traditional and modern pharmacology based on research data that have been reported, aiming at providing useful insight for commercial exploitation, further study and precision medication of Ephedra herb in future.

纳布啡与右美托咪定对剖宫产术中寒战及牵拉痛的防治效果比较

目的观察对比纳布啡与右美托咪定对腰硬联合麻醉下剖宫产术中寒战与牵拉痛的临床防治效果。方法将拟行剖宫产术的180例初产妇随机分为3组(n=60):纳布啡组(N组)、右美托咪定组(D组)和生理盐水组(C组)。所有产妇均于腰硬联合麻醉下行剖宫产术,并于胎儿娩出断脐后分别静脉给予N组:纳布啡0.3 mg/kg,D组:右美托咪定0.8μg/kg,C组:生理盐水10 ml。记录三组产妇给药前(T0)、给药后3 min (T1)、给药后10 min(T2)和术毕5 min (T3)时刻平均动脉压(MAP)、心率(HR)的变化情况,并评估比较三组产妇手术过程中寒战、牵拉痛及恶心呕吐的发生情况差异。结果 T2和T3时,N组和D组MAP和HR均明显低于C组(P<0.05);N组和D组产妇寒战和牵拉痛发生率及程度均低于C组,且N组相比D组术中寒颤和牵拉痛发生率明显减少(P<0.05);N组和D组产妇围术期恶心呕吐发生率显著低于C组,N组与D组相比较无明显差异;术后皮肤瘙痒发生率N组与D组明显少于C组,且N组皮肤瘙痒发生率相比D组明显减少(P<0.05)。结论纳布啡及右美托咪定静脉注射均可有效防治腰硬联合麻醉下剖宫产术中寒战及牵拉痛,并显著降低围术期恶心呕吐和皮肤瘙痒发生率,且相比右美托咪定,纳布啡的防治效果更为突出。