HARAR HEALTHY SCIENCE COLLEGE
Department of C/ Pharmacy
Group assignment of Pharmacognosy for 2 nd
Year
Submitted to :Mr.Teshome
October 2023
Group Members
• Name ID.NO
1. Neja Abera
2. Riyad Usmail
3. Ephrem chokol
4. Remedan Mohammed
5. Neway Feleke
6. Kidist Yohannis
7. Meaza Mekonen
8. Hana Endris
9. Redeat Teshome
10. Marta Tatek
EPHEDRA
Over view:
In this Section we will discuss about
# Scientific name of Ephedra
# Part of it used in a treatment
# Traditional uses of Ephedra
# Advantage&Disadvantages of the methods
# Solvents Used for extraction of Ephedra
Ephedra:
Ephedra is a genus of gymnosperm shrubs. The various species
of Ephedra are widespread in many arid regions of the world, ranging across
south-western North America, southern Europe, northern Africa, southwest
and central Asia, northern China and western South America. It is the only
extant genus in its family, Ephedraceae, and order, Ephedrales, and one of
the three living members of the
division Gnetophyta alongside Gnetum and Welwitschia
Scientific name
Scientific names are used to identify and classify organisms in a standardized
manner. The genus Ephedra belongs to the family Ephedraceae and consists of
various species. Here are some widely recognized scientific names for different
species within the Ephedra genus:
Ephedra sinica: Also known as Ma Huang, this species is native to China and has
been used in traditional medicine for its stimulatory and decongestant
properties.
1. 2. Ephedra equisetina: Commonly referred to as Joint Pine or Mormon Tea,
this species is found in parts of North America and Asia.
2. 3.Ephedra distachya: Known as European Ephedra or Jointed Horsetail, this
species is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
Con’t:
4. Ephedra viridis: Also called Green Ephedra or Green Jointfir, this species is found in
western parts of North America.
5. Ephedra nevadensis: This species, also known as Nevada Ephedra or Desert Tea, is
native to the southwestern United States.
6. Ephedra foliata: Found in parts of South America, this species is commonly known
as Argentine Ephedra.
Scientific classification
Kingdom Plantae
Class
Gnetopsida
Order Ephedrales
Family Ephedracea
Genius Ephedra
Part of it used in treatment
Ephedra is a medicinal plant that has been traditionally used in various forms of traditional
medicine for centuries. The main active compounds found in Ephedra plants are ephedrine and
pseudoephedrine, which are alkaloids that have stimulant properties.
Typically, the aerial parts of the Ephedra plant are used for medicinal purposes. This includes
the stems, leaves, and dried branches. These parts are often harvested, dried, and ground into a
powder or used to make herbal extracts or tinctures.
1.Ephedrine, one of the key components of Ephedra, acts primarily as a bronchodilator and
decongestant. It can help relax the muscles in the airways, allowing for easier breathing and
relief from symptoms of respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and nasal
congestion.
Con’t
Pseudoephedrine, another alkaloid found in Ephedra, has similar
properties to ephedrine and is commonly used as a nasal decongestant. It
helps alleviate nasal congestion by shrinking the blood vessels in the nasal
passages, reducing swelling and improving airflow.
Due to these properties, Ephedra has been used as an herbal remedy for
respiratory ailments, particularly in conditions where bronchial
constriction and nasal congestion are involved. However, it’s important to
note that the use of Ephedra for medical purposes has become
controversial, and its sale and use are regulated in many countries.
Traditional uses of Ephedra
1. Respiratory conditions:Ephedra has been used to treat respiratory conditions
such as asthma, bronchitis, and nasal congestion.
2. Weight loss: Ephedra has been used as a weight-loss aid due to its
thermogenic properties, which can increase metabolism and energy expenditure.
3.Allergies: Ephedra has been used to alleviate symptoms of hay fever and
allergies due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
4.Cold and flu: Ephedra has been used to alleviate symptoms of the common
cold and flu, such as nasal congestion, cough, and fever.
Detail Crude extract extraction procedure
There are several methods that can be used to extract the crude extract from Ephedra plants. Here, I will describe two commonly used
extraction procedures:
1.Soxhlet Extraction:
- First, the Ephedra plant material is dried and finely grind to increase the surface area for
extraction.
- The powdered Ephedra is packed into a thimble and placed in the extraction chamber of a Soxhlet apparatus.
- #A solvent, typically ethanol or methanol, is added to the round-bottom flask of the apparatus.- The solvent is
heated, causing it to vaporize and rise up through the flask, condense in the reflux condenser, and then trickle down
into the extraction chamber.
This continuous circulation of solvent helps to extract the active compounds from the plant material over
a period of several hours.- The solvent containing the crude extract is collected in a separate flask.- The collected
extract is then concentrated by removing the solvent using a rotary evaporator or by vacuum drying.
-
Advantages:
1 Saves solvent Quick method
2. Ease of changing solvent for the preparation of fractions
3. No direct contact between plant material and heat source
4. Efficient extraction:
5. High purity
6. Time-saving:
7. Cost-effective
Disadvantages
Requires special apparatus
• Not applicable for thermolabile plant constituents
• Time-consuming
• High solvent consumption:
• Risk of sample loss
2. Maceration:
- Ephedra plant material, either in the form of powdered herb or chopped leaves and stems, is
placed in a suitable container.
-# A solvent, such as ethanol or methanol, is added to the container to cover the plant
material completely.
- The container is sealed and left to stand at room temperature for a specific period, usually a
few days.
- During this time, the solvent gradually penetrates the plant material, dissolving the desired
constituents.
- After maceration, the mixture is filtered to remove solid particles and plant debris.
- The filtrate, containing the crude extract, is collected.
- The collected extract can be further concentrated by evaporating the solvent under reduced
pressure or by freeze-drying.
Advantage of Miceration
• Simplicity
• Preserve thermolabile compounds
• Cost-effective
• Versatility
Disadvantages
Consumes too much solvent
• • Saturation is attained quickly.
• • Time taking process with the possibly of hydrolysis of compounds
●Potential for microbial growth
• The prolonged soaking of plant material in a solvent during maceration
extraction can create an environment conducive to microbial growth
Weight of the herb used for extraction
The weight of the herb used for the extraction of Ephedra can vary depending on various factors,
including the specific extraction method, On average, for commercial extraction purposes, the
desired concentration of the extract, and the intended use.
Typically, the extraction process involves grinding the Ephedra herb into a fine powder and then
subjecting it to a solvent extraction method, such as maceration or percolation. The weight of the
herb used for extraction can range from a few grams to several kilograms, depending on the scale
of the extraction process.
it is common to use around 1 to 3 kilograms of dried Ephedra herb per batch. However, please
note that these are general estimates and the actual weight can vary depending on the specific
extraction method, desired potency, and quality of the herb
Active ingredient isolation methods
There are several active ingredient isolation methods used for Ephedra, Here are a few commonly employed methods:
1.Liquid-Liquid Extraction: This method involves extracting the active ingredients from the plant material using a
suitable solvent. The solvent is chosen based on its ability to selectively dissolve the desired compounds. Common
solvents used for Ephedra extraction include ethanol, methanol, and water. After extraction, the solvent is
evaporated to obtain a concentrated extract.
2. Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE): SFE utilizes supercritical fluids, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), to extract the
active ingredients. The fluid is maintained at a temperature and pressure above its critical point, which allows it to exhibit both
liquid and gas-like properties. Supercritical CO2 acts as a solvent, selectively extracting the desired compounds. SFE is known for
its high selectivity, efficiency, and environmentally friendly nature.
3.Chromatographic Techniques: Chromatographic methods, such as thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC), are commonly used for the separation and identification of active ingredients in Ephedra. These
techniques rely on the differential partitioning of compounds between a stationary phase and a mobile phase, allowing for the
isolation and analysis of specific compounds.
3.Acid-Base Extraction: This method involves treating the Ephedra plant material
with acid or base solutions to convert the alkaloids into their respective salt forms.
The salts are then extracted using a suitable solvent. Acid-base extraction can
enhance the solubility and separation of alkaloids present in Ephedra.
4.Soxhlet Extraction: Soxhlet extraction is a technique that uses a continuous cycle
of solvent extraction to achieve higher yields. The plant material is placed in a
thimble, which is then repeatedly washed with a solvent. The solvent evaporates
and condenses in a refluxing chamber, allowing for continuous extraction. This
method is useful for extracting a wide range of compounds, including alkaloids
from Ephedra.
6.Fractional Crystallization: In this method, controlled cooling and
crystallization are employed to separate and purify specific compounds.
By manipulating the temperature and solvent composition, different
compounds can be selectively crystalized and separated.
7.Distillation: Distillation is a technique used to separate volatile
compounds based on their boiling points. It involves heating the mixture
to vaporize the volatile components and then condensing them back into
liquid form for collection.,
Conclusion
In this Section already discussed about Ephedra ,it’s medicinal uses &the
extraction procedures &others .For instance Ephedra is a medicinal plant that
has been traditionally used in various forms of traditional medicine for
centuries. The main active compounds found in Ephedra plants are ephedrine
and pseudoephedrine, which are alkaloids that have stimulant properties.
Ephedrine is used as bronchodilator & decongestant. but pseudoephedrine has
similar properties to ephedrine & is commonly used as decongestant . There is
various types of extraction Procedures used to extract the Ephedra like
maceration, Soxhlet extraction &others. the extraction methods have its own
merits and dismerits
