Submitted By. ………………………………………..
Assignment: BOTANY
Topic: EPHEDRA
Submitted to: ………………………………………………………
EPHEDRA
Synonyms
Ma Huang.
Biological Source
Ephedra consists of the dried aerial
parts of Ephedra gerardiana Wall, Ephedra sinica Stapf, Ephedra
equisetina Bunge, Ephedra nebrodensis Tineo and other Ephedra
species, belonging to family Ephadreaceae.
Geographical Source
It is mainly found in
China,
India,
Nepal,
Turkey,
Pakistan and
Bhutan.
Cultivation and
It is an evergreen shrub growing to 0.6 m by 2 m.
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and
requires well-drained soil.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
It cannot grow in
Seeds are sown as soon as they are ripe in the autumn in a
greenhouse.
It can also be sown in spring in a greenhouse in sandy compost.
Seedlings are transferred into individual pots as soon as they are
large enough to handle and grown them for at least their first
winter in a greenhouse.
Collection
Drug is collected in autumn since it contains maximum
percentage of alkaloids. Green slender twigs are collected in
autumn, dried and packed loose in bags. Sometimes the twigs are
pressed tightly.
Characteristics
color
It consists of cylindrical woody stem that is grey or greenish in
colour.
leaves
Nodes, internodes, scaly leaves.
The distance between the internodes is 3–4 cm and the nodes
bare the scaly leaves.
Buds and Stem
Terminal Buds Are Present In The Stems.
taste
They are bitter in taste.
flowers
The plant has stamens and pistils on separate flowers; staminate
flowers in catkins and a membraneous perianth, pistillate flowers
terminal on axillary stalks, within a two-leaved involucre.
Fruit
Fruit has two carpels with a single seed in each and is a succulent cone, branches
slender and erect, small leaves, scale-like, articulated and joined
at the base into a sheath.
MICROSCOPY
Epidermis
Transverse section of the stem shows epidermis, composed of thick-walled,
quadrangular cells, covered by thick cuticle.
Sunken stomata
Sunken stomata are present between many vertical ridges. Papillae are present in
the ridges. Below the ridges, groups of nonlignified hypodermal fibres (nine to
twenty per group) are present.
Cortex
Cortex is composed of chlorenchyma with outer zone of radially elongated cells
and inner zone of spongy parenchyma. Cortex also contains few isolated fibres or
groups of fibres (two to six per group), which are lignified. Pericycle is composed
of groups of lignified fibres outside the phloem region. Vascular bundles are 6–10
in number, radially arranged in the cortex and composed of phloem and xylem.
Pith is large with rounded cells, containing dark brown mucilaginous substance in
pigment cells.
TRANSVERSE SECTION OF EPHEDRA
TRANSVERSE SECTION OF EPHEDRA HERB
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Ephedra contains alkaloids
Ephedrine (water-soluble salt of an alkaloid),
Pseudoephedrine (analog of ephedrine),
Nor pseudoephedrine (An analog of ephedrine).
The leaves and stems of ephedra also contain many potentially active
compounds, such as tannins, saponin, flavone and volatile oils.
Chemical Test
To the drug (10 mg) in water (1 ml) dilute HCl (0.2 ml), copper sulphate solution
(0.1 ml) and sodium hydroxide solution (2 ml) are added; the liquid turns violet.
On adding solvent ether (2 ml) and shaking vigorously, the ethereal layer turns
purple and the aqueous layer becomes blue.
Uses
1. Ephedrine Is
2. Antiallergenic,
3. Antiasthmatic,
4. Antispasmodic,
5. Decongestant,
6. Cough Suppressant,
7. Stimulant And Vasoconstrictor.
8. Pseudoephedrine Is Decongestant,
9. Cough Suppressant
10. Nor Pseudoephedrine Is Peripheral Vasodilator Used to
Treat Angina.
11. As A Whole It Is Decongestant; It Opens Sinuses, Increases
Sweating, Dilates Bronchioles (Anti asthmatic Use), Diuretic,
CNS Stimulant, Raises Blood Pressure, Alleviates Aches
And Rheumatism, Alleviates Hay Fever/Colds, etc.
