Identification of Two Cold Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from the Stems of Ephedra sinica Stapf

Two polysaccharides (ESP-A1 and ESP-A2) were isolated from the cold water extract of Ephedra sinica Stapf and purified through ethanol precipitation, deproteinization and by ion exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. Their molecular weight was determined using high performance size exclusion chromatog-raphy and evaporative light scattering detector (HPSEC-ELSD) and their monosaccharide composition was analyzed by high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) based on pre-column derivatization with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP). It was shown that ESP-A1 consisted of xylose, arabinose, glucose, mannose and galactose and ESP-A2 consisted of xylose, arabinose, rhamnose and galactose, in a molar ratio (%) of 3.2: 61.1: 11.1: 12.9: 11.6 and 20.6: 67.7: 5.0: 6.7, respectively. The molecular weights (Mw) of ESP-A1 and ESP-A2 were 5.83 × 104 Da and more than 200 × 104 Da, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, two neutral polysaccharides are now being reported for the first time in this study.

Comparative analysis of volatile oils in the stems and roots of Ephedra sinica via GC-MS-based plant metabolomics

With a great difference in therapeutic effects of Mahuang(MH, the stems of Ephedra sinica) and Mahuanggen(MHG, the roots of Ephedra sinica), chemical differences between MH and MHG should be investigated. In the present study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)-based plant metabolomics was employed to compare volatile oil profiles of MH and MHG. The antioxidant activities of volatile oils from MH and MHG were also compared. 32 differential chemical markers were identified according to the variable importance in the projection(VIP) value of orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) and P value of Mann-Whitney test. Among them, chemical markers of tetramethylpyrazine(TMP) and α-terpineol were quantified. Their contents were much higher in most MH samples compared with MHG. The antioxidant assay demonstrated that MH had significantly higher free radical-scavenging activity than MHG. Although MH and MHG derived from the same medicinal plant, there was much difference in their volatile oil profiles. MH samples had significantly higher content of two reported pharmacologically important chemical markers of TMP and α-terpineol, which may account for their different antioxidant activities.

Effects of harvesting time and processing on the contents of five alkaloids in the herbaceous stems of Ephedra sinica

In the present study,we studied the changes of the contents of alkaloids in the herbaceous stems of Ephedra sinica during different harvest periods as well as before and after processing.The alkaloid contents of 39 batches of ephedra herb,prepared slices ephedra and honey-fried ephedra,24 batches of ephedra herb with different harvesting periods,which were all collected from cultivation base in Inner Mongolia,and 38 batches of prepared slices ephedra purchased from the market were detected by taking norephedrine(NE),norpseudoephedrine(NPE),ephedrine(E),pseudoephedrine(PE)and methylephedrine(ME)as indicators by using HPLC method.The content of total alkaloid in prepared slices ephedra(1.71%–3.14%)was higher than that in ephedra herb(1.20%–2.53%)and honey-fried ephedra(1.52%–2.99%).Contents of different alkaloids in these three types of samples were significantly different.Prepared slices ephedra and honey-fried ephedra showed significant differences in the contents of NE,NPE and ME(P<0.05),and the contents of E were significantly different between ephedra herb and honey-fried ephedra(P<0.05).The total alkaloid content of ephedra herb was the highest in September(3.10%).Alkaloid contents of prepared slices ephedra collected in the market were uneven and 13%–91%lower than those collected from cultivation base.The results provided a basis for the quality evaluation of ephedra herb and its processed products,and had certain guiding significance for the selection of processed ephedra according to different drug purposes in clinical application.It also provided data support for the harvesting time of ephedra herb.

TCM practitioners’attitudes and perceptions regarding the use of Ephedra sinica Stapf:An observational study

Objective:To understand the attitudes and perceptions of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)practitioners in Beijing TCM hospitals regarding the use of Ephedra sinica Stapf(E.sinica,Ma Huang).Methods:A two-stage cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire survey of TCM practi-tioners in Beijing TCM hospitals between April 2023 and March 2024.The questionnaire included de-mographic information,the clinical background of TCM practitioners,and the clinical application of E.sinica.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relevant influencing factors when using E.sinica.Results:Of the 465 questionnaires collected,441 were valid.Among these,84.81%(374/441)reported having used E.sinica in clinical practice at least once.The commonly used doses of E.sinicadexcluding the pediatric departmentdwere 10 g for high doses,6 g for medium,and 3 g for low.The three most frequently used formulas for E.sinica included Maxing Shigan decoction,Mahuang decoction,and Xiao Qing Long decoction.The most common TCM patterns treated with a high dose of E.sinica were wind-cold exterior pattern,wind-cold invading the lung,and wind and water combat with meridians con-gealed by cold.The top three Western medical diagnoses when using E.sinica for treatment were common cold,pneumonia,and upper respiratory tract infections.Nearly half of the respondents reported experiencing adverse reactions from the oral administration of E.sinica,with the most common being palpitations,insomnia,and restlessness.Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it as appro-priate was identified as an effective approach.Conclusion:This study investigated the attitudes and perceptions of TCM practitioners in Beijing TCM hospitals regarding the doseeefficacyeadverse reaction relationship of E.sinica,providing a reference for the safe and effective clinical use of E.sinica.

蒙古族利用草麻黄（Ephedra sinica Stapf）资源的民族植物学研究

应用民族植物学的研究方法，记载和描述了蒙古族对草麻黄资源在经济利用、药物利用和文化利用方面的知识和经验，对民间利用的合理性和意义及草原地区草麻黄资源的开发和持续利用作了分析和探讨．

Effects of Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) medicated serum on chemotactic migration of alveolar macrophages and inters regions macrophages in rats

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of serum containing Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) or Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) on the migration of alveolar macrophages(AM) and interstitial macrophages(IM) from normal rats, and to analyze and compare the mechanisms leading to cell migration differences.METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into three groups: Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica), Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis), and blank serum. After treatment with the herbs, serum was extracted from the rats. AM and IM were isolated from normal rats and cultured. The effects of Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) medicated serum on normal rat AM and IM chemotactic migration were determined by transwell assays. The CC chemokine receptor(CCR) 2, CCR5, voltage-gated Kvl. 3 K^+channel(Kv1. 3), and voltage-gated Kvl. 5 K^+channel(Kv1. 5) protein levels were analyzed by western blotting.RESULTS: The migration quantities of AM and IM in the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) medicated serum groups were significantly higher than those in the blank serum group(P < 0.01). Compared with the Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) medicated serum group, the migration quantity of cultured rat AM in the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) medicated serum group was significantly increased(P <0.01). Meanwhile, compared with the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) medicated serum group, the migration quantity of cultured rat IM in the Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) medicated serum group was significantly increased(P < 0.01).CCR2, CCR5, Kv1. 3, and Kv1. 5 proteins were expressed on the AM cell surface, and showed significantly higher expression in the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) medicated serum group compared with the Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis)medicated serum group. In contrast, CCR5, Kv1.3,and Kv1.5 proteins were expressed on the IM cell surface, and showed significantly higher expression in the Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis)medicated serum group compared with the Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) medicated serum group.CONCLUSION: Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica)and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) can promote AM and IM migration ability, with Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) targeting AM more apparently and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) targeting IM more apparently. The mechanism may be that, by stimulating cells, Mahuang(Herba Ephedra Sinica) and Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) promote expression of CCR2 and CCR5 receptors on the AM and IM cell surface,which pass signals to Kvl.3 and Kvl.5 ion channels,leading to changes in the cytoskeleton, and ultimately promoting chemotactic cell migration.

麻黄与杏仁配伍后在支气管哮喘模型大鼠体内的药动学研究

目的 研究麻黄与杏仁配伍后在支气管哮喘模型大鼠血浆和脑脊液中的药动学变化。方法 将SD雄性大鼠随机分为空白组、模型组、麻黄组(12 g/kg,以生药量计,下同)、杏仁组(6 g/kg)和麻黄-杏仁药对组(麻黄12 g/kg+杏仁6 g/kg),每组6只。除空白组外,其余各组大鼠用2%氯化乙酰胆碱和0.4%磷酸组胺的等体积混合液喷雾诱发支气管哮喘模型,每天1次,连续7 d。每次造模前1 h,各组大鼠灌胃相应药物/生理盐水,每天1次,连续7 d。末次给药并激发哮喘后,分别在不同时间点进行采血和脑脊液收集。将血浆与脑脊液样品预处理后(以葛根素为内标),采用液相色谱-串联质谱法检测两种样品中麻黄碱/伪麻黄碱、甲基麻黄碱和苦杏仁苷的质量浓度。采用DAS 2.0药动学软件通过非房室模型确定主要药动学参数,并比较两药配伍前后药动学参数的变化。结果 与麻黄组比较,麻黄-杏仁药对组大鼠血浆和脑脊液中麻黄碱/伪麻黄碱、甲基麻黄碱的c_(max)、AUC_(0-21.33 h)(或AUC_(0-10.67 h))均显著减少,CL_(Z)/F、V_(Z)/F均显著增加(P<0.05或P<0.01);脑脊液中甲基麻黄碱的t_(max)显著缩短(P<0.05)。与杏仁组比较,麻黄-杏仁药对组大鼠血浆中苦杏仁苷的t_(1/2)显著缩短,CL_(Z)/F显著增加(P<0.01);脑脊液中苦杏仁苷的t_(max)显著缩短,AUC_(0-10.67 h)、CL_(Z)/F、V_(Z)/F均显著增加(P<0.01)。结论 麻黄、杏仁配伍后加快了麻黄生物碱的吸收和消除,从而减少了麻黄生物碱在支气管哮喘模型大鼠体内的累积。

基于省级监督抽检的小儿咳喘灵颗粒质量评价

目的对本省监督抽检品种小儿咳喘灵颗粒的质量进行评价,并对质量标准的修订提出建议。方法按现行标准对37批次样品进行检验分析,同时从药品有效性、真实性、质量一致性出发,开展了甘草、金银花薄层色谱鉴别、山银花掺伪金银花筛查、麻黄含量测定的探索性研究。结果按现行标准检验,37批次样品全部符合规定。探索性研究结果显示所有批次样品薄层色谱均检出甘草、金银花指标性成分甘草次酸、绿原酸;企业F的1批次样品中检出山银花特征成分灰毡毛忍冬皂苷乙;麻黄含量范围为(0.13~1.9)mg·g^(-1),有4批低于拟定限度0.35 mg·g^(-1)。结论小儿咳喘灵颗粒总体质量一般,生产工艺稳定性有待提高;现行质量标准过低,无法控制药品质量,亟待修订完善。

基于网络药理学探讨麻黄活性成分治疗血管痉挛的作用机制

【目的】运用网络药理学和体外细胞试验探究麻黄活性成分治疗血管痉挛的相关分子机制。【方法】从中药系统药理学数据库及分析平台(TCMSP)、SwissTargetPrediction和PharMapper数据库获取麻黄的主要活性成分及作用靶点,通过DrugBank、GeneCards、OMIM数据库获取疾病靶点,取交集得到药物成分-疾病交集靶点。利用STRING数据库进行蛋白-蛋白互作(PPI)分析,通过Cytoscape 3.9.1软件筛选得到核心靶点与核心成分。采用Metascape平台进行GO功能与KEGG通路富集分析,AutoDock Vina平台进行分子对接。在此基础上,通过MTT法检测麻黄活性成分对血管紧张素Ⅱ所致血管平滑肌细胞(vSMCs)增殖影响的机制。【结果】麻黄的有效活性成分主要包括木犀草素、槲皮素、β-槲皮素、圣草酚、柚皮素、豆甾醇、山柰酚等,这些药物成分主要作用靶点488个,血管痉挛的相关靶点394个。麻黄防治血管痉挛有67个预测靶点,主要包括基质金属肽酶Ⅸ(MMP9)、MMP2、血管紧张素Ⅱ受体1型(AGTR1)、丝裂原活化蛋白激酶1(MAPK1)、血管内皮生长因子A(VEGFA)、表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)、一氧化氮合酶2(NOS2)等。对上述67个靶点进行富集分析发现,与正向调节细胞迁移、对外来刺激反应、对缺氧反应、血管生成正向调节等生物过程,等离子体膜、突触后膜、突触前膜、树突、膜筏、轴突末端等细胞组分,RNA聚合酶Ⅱ转录因子活性、配体激活序列特异性DNA结合、丝氨酸型内肽酶活性、肽链内切酶活性、酶结合、锌离子结合等分子功能,以及钙信号通路、血管平滑肌收缩、松弛素信号通路、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B信号通路(PI3K-Akt)、鞘脂类信号通路等途径相关。分子对接结果表明,麻黄主要活性成分木犀草素、槲皮素与关键靶点MMP2和MMP9结合具有稳定构象。体外试验结果表明,麻黄活性成分木犀草素能抑制血管紧张素Ⅱ所致vSMCs增殖,其机制可能与其抑制MAPK1信号转导通路的活化有关。【结论】麻黄多种活性成分通过作用于MMP2、MMP9、血管紧张素Ⅰ转化酶(ACE)、NOS2等靶点治疗血管痉挛,本研究结果为麻黄活性成分治疗血管痉挛的作用机制研究提供了科学参考。

基于GC-MS技术和网络药理学预测麻黄挥发油干预支气管哮喘的作用

研究麻黄不同产地的挥发油化学成分组成及含量变化,结合网络药理学方法探讨麻黄挥发油成分干预支气管哮喘可能的作用机制。从吉林麻黄、内蒙古麻黄、四川麻黄的挥发油中分别鉴定得到13、6、6个成分。Venny分析得到交集靶点95个,PPI分析筛选出20个核心靶点。GO分析得到1377个功能条目,KEGG富集分析得到151条相关通路。“成分-交集靶点”网络分析得到1-苯基-1,2-丙二酮、4-甲氧基苯乙烯、香叶醇等核心成分,可能为治疗支气管哮喘的潜在活性成分。本研究为进一步探究麻黄挥发油治疗支气管哮喘潜在作用机制提供了一定的参考依据。

两种珍稀沙生植物草麻黄和沙芦草种子催芽技术研究

草麻黄和沙芦草是我国重点保护野生植物,然而由于自身发芽率低和生境被破坏等原因,导致种群数量减少,为保护并提高两种珍稀植物的数量,本研究通过室内试验进行了两种珍稀植物的种子繁育技术研究。研究结果表明,不同生长激素对于草麻黄和沙芦草种子发芽影响不同。30mg/L的IAA处理可以明显促进草麻黄种子发芽;10mg/L浓度以上的6-BA和100mg/L的GA3均会明显抑制草麻黄种子发芽及活力。同样GA3浓度高于100mg/L均会抑制沙芦草种子发芽,20mg/L的细胞分裂素可以促进沙芦草种子发芽,40mg/L的IAA可以显著提高沙芦草发芽率。DMSO浸泡10min对种子发芽无影响;浸泡20min时,1%浓度DMSO促进效果最佳;当浸泡30min时,0.5%浓度的效果最佳。因此使用30mg/L和40mg/L的IAA分别有助于草麻黄和沙芦草种子发芽,提高种子活力,同时0.5%的DMSO浸泡30min更适合用于沙芦草种子发芽处理。

草麻黄中麻黄和木贼麻黄挥发油化学成分的GC-MS分析

用气相色谱质谱联用法分析了草麻黄、中麻黄和木贼麻黄挥发油的化学成分，并测定了各成分的相对百分含量。共鉴定了１２７个化学成分，ｌα松油醇（３１．６４％）、１，４桉叶素（１２８０％）和十六烷酸（２６２２％）分别是草麻黄、中麻黄和木贼麻黄挥发油中的主要成分。

麻黄水提物雾化吸入对哮喘小鼠气道炎症的影响

目的观察麻黄水提物雾化吸入对哮喘小鼠气道炎症及白细胞介素-13(IL-13)、嗜酸性粒细胞趋化因子(Eotaxin)表达的影响。方法将24只雌性BALB/c小鼠随机分为3组:正常对照组、哮喘模型组、麻黄组,每组8只。除正常对照组用生理盐水外,哮喘模型组、麻黄组用卵蛋白腹腔注射致敏及滴鼻激发建立哮喘模型,麻黄组每次激发前1h予以麻黄水煎液雾化吸入30min,2次/天,连续7d。正常对照组、哮喘模型组用等量生理盐水代替麻黄水煎液雾化吸入,吸入方法和时间同麻黄组。小鼠末次激发24h后,计数支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中白细胞(WBC)和嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS),HE染色观察支气管及其周围组织病理改变,免疫组化法测定支气管肺组织中IL-13、Eotaxin的表达,ELISA法检测IL-13、Eotaxin的浓度。结果与正常对照组比较,哮喘模型组小鼠BALF中WBC、EOS计数,支气管肺组织中IL-13、Eotaxin蛋白表达明显增高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);与哮喘模型组比较,麻黄组小鼠以上各项指标均降低,支气管及其周围组织炎症细胞浸润减少,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论麻黄水提物雾化吸入能减轻哮喘小鼠气道炎症,抑制支气管肺组织中IL-13、Eotaxin蛋白的表达可能是其抗炎机制之一。

盐碱地麻黄种植试验研究初报

在盐碱地上进行麻黄种植试验 ,0～ 30 cm土壤全盐量 1.2 %时 ,麻黄生长良好 ,全盐量 1.6 %以上时生长受抑制。中度盐碱地种植麻黄是可行的。

吡虫啉在麻黄中残留的分析方法

目的：研究建立吡虫啉在麻黄中残留的液相分析方法。方法：样品经二氯甲烷提取，色谱柱净化，采用十八烷基键合硅胶柱，流动相为甲醇-水（20：80）；检测波长270nm。结果与结论：该方法的最小检出量为0．4×10^9g，最低检出质量分数为0．02mg·kg^-1，平均回收率为85．37％～90．65％，RSD为2．23％～3．45％；该方法的灵敏度、精密度和准确度符合农药残留分析的要求。

麻黄配方颗粒制备工艺和质量标准研究

目的：优化麻黄提取工艺，建立麻黄配方颗粒质量标准。方法：采用L9（3^4）正交设计安排实验，用TLC进行定性鉴别，用HPLC法进行含量测定。结果：麻黄提取最佳工艺为加10倍量水、加热煎煮3次，每次1．5h，麻黄碱转移率可达89％；薄层色谱中可检出特征斑点；麻黄碱进样量在0．0081—0．1377μg范围内线性关系良好（r=0．9999），平均回收率为100．25％（RSD=2．24％，n=6）。结论：提取工艺合理，HPLC法易于操作，重复性好，能够控制麻黄配方颗粒的质量。

野生与人工栽培麻黄不同部位成分的比较研究

目的比较野生与人工栽培的麻黄不同部位成分的差别。方法以50%甲醇为溶剂,用加热回流法分别提取野生与人工栽培麻黄的茎与根部,再以HPLC测定各个提取液中的麻黄碱的量。采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取麻黄挥发油,用GC-MS测定野生与栽培的麻黄挥发油中的成分。结果HPLC测定野生麻黄的茎与根的提取液中分别含麻黄碱0.55%和0.00057%,人工栽培麻黄的茎与根的提取液中分别含麻黄碱0.26%和0.0017%。用GC-MS确定了麻黄挥发油中的45种物质,其中野生和栽培品共有成分13种。结论野生麻黄茎中含麻黄碱的量约是人工栽培的2倍,而在两种麻黄的根中麻黄碱的量都非常低。在麻黄挥发油中未发现麻黄碱。

中药麻黄根的化学成分研究

目的:研究中药麻黄根(Ephedra root)的化学成分。方法:采用各种柱色谱法分离,运用多种波谱方法鉴定化合物结构。结果:从麻黄根乙醇提取液的乙酸乙酯萃取部位中分离得到7个化合物,分别鉴定为β-谷甾醇(1)、豆甾醇-3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(2)、麻黄宁D(3)、麻黄宁E(4)、麻黄酚A(5)、表阿夫儿茶精(6)、辛酸乙酯(7)。结论:化合物1、2、6、7均为首次从该种中药中分离得到。

麻黄非麻黄碱部分中黄酮、生物碱和有机酸的分析

对麻黄的非麻黄碱部分中的主要化学成分进行了初步研究。以芦丁为对照品、Al(NO3) 3作显色剂 ,采用分光光度法测定了黄酮总量 ;以盐酸麻黄碱为对照品、溴百里香酚蓝作显色剂 ,通过酸性染料比色法测定了生物碱的总量。两种方法均具有快速、灵敏、重现性好的特点。并通过颜色反应鉴定了非麻黄碱部分中有机酸类的存在。研究结果为进一步研究麻黄活性成分。

盐碱地种植麻黄试验研究

麻黄在干旱区硫酸盐、氯化物盐碱地中种植 ,其土壤 0～ 3 0 cm土层含盐量 1 .2 %以下生长良好。初步化验分析 ,麻黄在盐碱地中种植其麻黄碱含量有所提高 ,同时可获得较大的社会、生态。