The term ephedra refers to the drug obtained from some plants belonging to the genus Ephedra, family Ephedraceae; they are widespread suffrutics in the dry areas of the temperate regions, including Italy, and in the tropical mountains; however, the species of greatest commercial interest - Ephedra sinica, Ephedra intermedia, Ephedra equisetina - are of predominantly Asian origin. The leaves are reduced to flakes, the stem and branches are green, slender, longitudinally streaked and angular, and it is precisely the area parts - harvested in autumn - that constitute the drug ephedra (also known as ma huang).
It contains some alkaloids in concentrations close to 1%, among which ephedrine (60-80%) and pseudoephedrine (20-34%) stand out. The presence of these substances justifies the traditional use of ephedra as a diaphoretic and a preparation useful in the treatment of bronchial asthma, bronchitis, nasal congestion, drowsiness and overweight. Acting as an adrenergic agonist, ephedrine increases the release of norepinephrine from nerve endings and interacts directly with the alpha and beta adrenergic receptors; all this results in bronchial dilation associated with an increase in thermogenesis (accelerates metabolism) and pressure arterial (ephedrine causes vasoconstriction); at the level of the central nervous system it acts as a stimulant, with a similar - although lower - action to that of amphetamines; it also decreases food intake and reduces the conversion into fat of carbohydrates taken in excess. The use of pure ephedrine (ephedrine hydrochloride or sulphate) is not, however, free from contraindications, due to the possibility of adverse cardiovascular effects (causes palpitations and hypertension, for this reason it should be used with particular caution by those suffering from heart problems), gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, constipation), psychiatric (causes restlessness, nervousness and convulsions) and metabolic (it is contraindicated in the presence of diabetes and hyperthyroidism). Pure pseudoephedrine, having similar structure and actions, is used as a nasal decongestant and has similar contraindications, although the adverse effects, at the same dosage, are more attenuated.
The drug ephedra, used for example in the form of an infusion, has the same indications as its characteristic alkaloids, but performs a "milder action and has fewer contraindications (either due to the smaller quantity of active ingredients taken, or to the modulatory action of the phytocomplex).However, the risk of harm from abuse and important contraindications have led many countries, including Italy and the United States, to ban the sale of ephedra and its once very popular inclusion in weight loss supplements. However, ephedrine and pseudofedrine continue to be used in various pharmaceutical products, many of them OTC.
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