Study report on

Ephedra foliata Boiss. ex C.A.Mey.

By:- Vishwanath Zunjar

(P.G.DIPLOMA MEDICO BOTANY)

The Maharaja Sayajiroa Universityof Baroda,

Department of Botany,Vadodara-39002, Gujarat India.

INDEX

vernacular names 3

Classification 4

Plants description 5

Distribution 6

Habit and cultivation 7

Macroscopic and microscopic studies 8-10

Major chemical constituent 11

Isolation of ephedrine 12

Adult dosage 13

Application 14

Medical uses 15

Clinical pharmacology 16

Precautions 17

References 20

Taxonomic classification:Based on benthan and hookers

Kingdom: Plantae Order:  Gnetianales

Family:  Ephedraceae Genus:  Ephedra

Species: foliata Boiss. ex C.A.Mey.

It was originally described by Pierre Edmond Boissier, later validly published by Carl Anton von Meyer in 1846.

Selected vernacular names • Kuchar• Tutgantha• Dewaria• Somlata• Alanda

• Suaphogro

• Andhokimp.

Morphological description :

Gymnosperm Shrubs, dioecious , with erect, climbing stems.

Branches jointed, photosynthetic, yellowish green to olive-green

when young. Branchlets opposite or whorled, green, longitudinally

grooved.

Leaves opposite or in whorls of 3, scalelike, generally ephemeral,

mostly not photosynthetic; resin canals absent.

Seeds have two Cotyledons. Seeds 1-3 per cone, ellipsoid to

globose, yellow to dark brown, smooth to scabrous or furrowed

Pollen cones solitary or clustered at nodes, each composed of 2-8

decussate pairs or 3-part whorls of membranous bracts, proximal

bracts empty.

Each bract subtending a male flower composed of 2 basally fused,

orbicular or obovate scales (false perianth), anthers sessile or stipitate on

staminal column

Perennial, small, slender, much branched pubescent

twining or climbing herbs or under shrubs; sap yellowish,.

found in the sub-himalayan tract from Uttar Pradesh to

Meghalaya and in the central and peninsular India,

ascending up to 1,260 m. Rootstock 2.5-5 cm. thick, Roots

long, fleshy, with longitudinally fissured light brown, corky

bark;; Leaves 6.0-10.5 x 3.8-6.0 cm, ovate-oblong to

elliptic-oblong, acute to acuminate, cordate at base,

thick, pubescent beneath when young, glabrous above;

petioles up to 12 mm long.; Flowers minute, 1-1.5 cm

across, in 2 to 3-flowered fascicles in axillary umbellate

cymes.; Calyx divided nearly to the base, densely hairy

outside; segments lanceolate, acute. Corolla greenish-

yellow or greenish-purple; lobes oblong, acute. Fruit a

follicle, .up to 7 x 1 cm,; ovoid lanceolate, tapering at apex

forming fine mucro, finally striate, glabrous. sSeeds 0.6-

0.8 x 0.3-0.4 cm, broadly ovate or ovate-oblong, flat,

brown, dark coloured in centre; coma 2.0-2.5 cm long.. Fl.

& Fr.: August-December (Kirtikar & Basu, 1935; Chopra et

al., 1956; Jagtap & Singh, 1999).

Habitat :

Found in the plains, forests, and hilly slopes and outskirts of the forest (Vita cost, 2004; Truestarhealth, 2005). Forms dense patches in the forest in moist and humid conditions in open hill slopes and narrow valleys, also cultivated for its medicinal uses. The plant shows stunted growth in the areas with lesser rainfall. According to Nadkarni (1976), it will on a wide range of well drained soils prefers sandy localities..

Distribution:

It is indigenous to India (Aurorahealthcare, 2005). The

plant inhabits up to an elevation of 1,260 m in the sub-

Himalayan tract and in the central and peninsular India. It

also Gmet with in Eastern, North-East and Central India,

Bengal and, parts of South India (Nadkarni, 1976). Except

throughout plains of India, it also harbor in Ceylon, Malay

island and Borneo (Kirtikar & Basu, 1935).

Medicinal Importance:

It is traditionally used as a folk remedy in certain regions

of India for the treatment of bronchial asthma (Bielory &

Lupoli, 1999), inflammation (Exoticnatural. 2005),

bronchitis, allergies, rheumatism and dermatitis (Gupta &

Bal, 1956; Shivpuri et al., 1969; Dhananjayan et al., 1974;

Mathew and & Shivpuri, 1974; Haranath &

Shyamalakumari, 1975; Thiruvengadam et al., 1978;

Gupta et al., 1979; Karnick and & Jopat, 1979; and Gore

et al., 1980; Truestarhealth, 2005; Remedyfind, 2005).

Apart from the above, it also seems to be a good remedy

in traditional medicine as anti-psoriasis, seborrheic,

anaphylactic, leucopenia and as an inhibitor of the

Schultz-Dale reaction (Sarma, 1978, Sarma & Misra,

1995).

The leaves and roots are used medicinally (Bhavan,

1992). It is said to have laxative, expectorant, diaphoretic

and purgative properties. It has also been used for the

treatment of allergies, cold, dysentery, hay fever and

arthritis (CSIR, 1948-1976). It has reputation as an

alterative and as a blood purifier, often used in

rheumatism and syphilitic rheumatism. Root or leaf

powder is used in diarrhoea, dysentery and intermittent

fever. It is an expectorant and administered in respiratory

affections, bronchitis and whooping cough (Nadkarni,

1976). Dried leaves are emetic diaphoretic and

expectorant. It is regarded as one of the best indigenous

substitute for ipecacuanha (Kirtikar & Basu, 1935), so it

was considered as Indian ipecacuahna in the latter half of

the 19th century (Food4less1, 2005)

The roots and leaves possess stimulant, emetic, cathartic and purgative properties (Shah and & Kapoor, 1976; Sharma and & Sharma, 1977; Vasudevan Nair et al., 1982; Nair et al., 1984 ). The roots and leaves are also reported to be used in hydrophobia. The leaves are employed to destroy vermin. The leaf extract ,acts as it is anti tumour (Chitnis et al., 1972; Stephen & Vijayammal, 2000).

Ayurvedic properties

GUNA: snigdhaRASA: madhuraVEERYA: sheetaVIPAKA: madhura

DOSHA: kaphahara

Formulations and Dosage

Leaves powder : 400-600 mg t.i.d.Decoction of leaves (1in 10) : 15-20 mlInfusion of root bark (1in 10) : 15-20 mlFresh leaf : one leaf to be chewed daily for 6 days

Cultivation (propagation)

The plant is propagated by portions of the old root-stalk or rhizomes, either in autumn or in spring.The plant is also propagated by the seeds or seedlings of the wild plant.The nursery is raised in July-August or April-May.At first the nursery raised seedlings are transplanted at a spacing of 18-20 cm in rows 30 cm apart.When the seedlings are 6-8 weeks old and 10-15 cm tall , they are transplanted to their permanent sites.

Irrigation

This crop requires 2-3 irrigations during the dry period from June to September.

Weeding

Weeding is done for first three months to avoid competition. Later on ,weeding is attended to as and when required

Manures and fertilizers

It needs the application of FYM @ 10 t/ha., which is mixed in the soil well in advance.The crop responds to inorganic fertilizers as well.About 60 kg of N and 40 kg/ha. of P2O5 and K2O have to be applied for better yield.Nitrogen is given in 2 split doses for efficient utilization.

Pests and Diseases

The crop suffers from sooty mould; the fungus grows on gummy excreta of the insect deposited on the leaves and in the advanced stage it spreads to the entire leaf and reduces the yielding capacity of the plant.Later on , the leaves dry , wither or drop off.It can be controlled by spraying, starch mixed with Nuvacrone solution on the leaves of the plant.The starch along with the fungus dries up and drops off from the leaves.

Harvesting and Yield

The first harvesting of leaves can be done after 3-4 months of planting and subsequently at 2 months’ interval.While harvesting, care should be taken to pluck the leaves without damaging the veins.The leaves are then spread on a clean floor for drying for 7-10 days and then packed in polythene lined bags for further marketing.An average yield of 5000 kg/ha/year of dried leaves can be obtained.

Toxic effect:

According to Gupta et al. (1979), it may produce some

side effects like drowsiness or giddiness. Loss of taste for

salt, mouth pain, upset stomach, temporary nausea and

vomiting are some other side effects (Shivpuri et al., 1969,

1972; Bone, 1996). Tightness in throat or chest, chest

pain, skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin may occur in

some cases (Healthtouch, 2005).

Preliminary studies shows that extract of Tylophora is

toxic only in extremely high doses; these extracts were

apparently safe in the far smaller doses needed to

produce a therapeutic effect (Dikshith et al., 1990).

Chemical Components:

The major constituent in this plant is alkaloid Tylophorine

that is responsible for a strong anti-inflammatory action

(Gopalakrishnan et al., 1979) and Tylophorininepresent.

The other alkaloids include Tylophorinidine, Septicine and

Isotylocrebrine.

From phytochemistry point of view, Tylophora asthmatica

contains 0.2-0.3 % of alkaloids. Tylophorine and

tylophornine are important alkaloids encountered and the

percentage is not affected by seasonal variations [3].

Pharmacology:

Test tube studies suggest that tylophorine is able to

interfere with the action of mast cells, which are key

components in the process of inflammation action

(Gopalakrishnan et al., 1980). These actions seem to

support its traditional use as an anti-asthmatic and anti-

allergic medication by traditional healers. According to

Bone (1996), the dose should not exceed 200-400 mg

dried leaf powder per day or 1 to 2 ml of tincture per day

for the treatment of asthma. The plant shows inhibitory

effect on cellular immune response (Ganguly & Sainis,

2001) and antiallergic activity (Nayampalli & Sheth, 1979).

Weak preliminary evidence hints that Tylophora might

have anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and antispasmodic

actions (Gopalakrishnan et al., 1980; Wagner, 1989;

Udupa et al., 1991; Nandi, 1999). In tests with tTylophora

extract, both adrenal weight and plasma steroid levels

were found increased (Vitasentials, 2005).

Clinical trials:

These historical and laboratory findings have been

supported by several human clinical trials using differing

preparations of Tylophora, including the crude leaf,

tincture, and capsule. Clinical trial against asthma shows

that Tylophora leaf chewed and swallowed daily in the

early morning for six days reduces asthma symptoms

(Shivpuri et al., 1969). An alcoholic extract of crude

Tylophora leaves in 1 gram of glucose had comparable

effects to that of chewing the crude leaf (Shivpuri et al.,

1972). Another trial found similar success in reducing

asthma symptoms (Thiruvengadam et al., 1978).

However, the Tylophora was not as effective as a

standard asthma drug combination. One double-blind trial

failed to show any effect on asthma for Tylophora (Gupta

et al., 1979).

One such study randomly assigned 110 bronchial asthma patients to receive one Tylophora asthmatica leaf (150 mg of the leaf by weight) or comparable placebo to be chewed and swallowed daily in the early morning for six days. At the end of one week, 62% of the patients consuming the tylophora reported experiencing moderate to complete relief of their asthma symptoms compared to 28% in the placebo group. Moreover, when patients were switched from the placebo to the active group and vice versa, similar positive trends could be seen, with 50% of the tylophora group and 11% of the placebo group reporting symptomatic relief [5]. In a follow-up study, the alcoholic extract of crude tylophora leaves in 1 gram of glucose had comparable effects to that of chewing the crude leaf, with 56% of the patients reporting moderate to complete improvement in asthmatic symptoms compared to 32% in the placebo group [6].

In another clinical trial, 30 patients with a diagnosis of

bronchial asthma for at least two years were assigned at

random to one of two treatment groups consisting of 15

individuals each [7]. One group received either 350 mg of

tylophora leaf powder or placebo daily in the first week. In

comparison, a second group of asthmatics were given a

similar amount of the leaf for seven days followed by an

anti-asthmatic drug combination. Overall, results of the

study showed the amount of oxygen in the lung increased

in those using the leaf but decreased in those using the

placebo. In addition, those taking the herb had a notable

nighttime reduction in their symptoms of shortness of

breath.

A higher quality double-blind study that enrolled 135 individuals found no benefit from Tylophora asthmatica in asthma [9].

HPTLC Fingerprinting of different leaf extracts of Tylophora indica (Burm f.) Merill.

TitleHPTLC Fingerprinting of different leaf extracts of Tylophora indica (Burm f.) Merill.

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

2010

AuthorsMayank G, Mhaveer S, Mukhatr Hayat M, Sayeed A

Journal Pharmacognosy JournalVolume 2Issue 11Pagination 381–385Date Published

August

KeywordsHPTLC fingerprinting, TLC, TOC Alerts - Phcog J, Tylophora indica, Tylophorine.

AbstractTylophora indica is very popularly used for the

treatment of asthma based on its traditional use

for asthma. Tylophora is perennial climbing

plant native to the plains, forests, and hills of

southern and eastern India. A method has been

developed for different extracts of Tylophora

indica for HPTLC fingerprinting analysis for

identification and quantification of marker

compound. For chloroform extract-

Chloroform(90): Methanol (5) : Ethyl acetate (5)

v/v, Methanol Extract-Toluene(5):

Chloroform(90), Ethyl acetate(5) v/v and for

Petroleum ether extract-Hexane(40) : Ethyl

acetate (60) v/v. The HPTLC fingerprinting

profile developed for different extracts of

Tylophora indica will help in proper identification

and quantification of marker compound.

URL http://phcogj.com/files/PJ11/PJ11_4.html

Adulterant of Tylophora indica

Tylophora dalzellii a medicinal member belongs to the

tribe Marsdenieae

of the family Asclepiadaceae.

T. dalzellii has been used in treatment of asthma,

dermatitis

and rheumatism. However, it has not yet been studied

pharmacognostically.

T. dalzellii is a frequent climber of scrub forest. Stems are

much

branched and pubescent. Latex is milky-white. The

leaves are most of the natural products tested for were

present in the plant material except glycosides,

anthroquinones and flavonoides which were not detected

in any of the tested fractions.

References:

www.google.com/tylophora indica

dmapr.org.in

species.wikimedia.org

6] Shivpuri DN, Singhal SC, Parkash D. Treatment of

asthma with an alcoholic extract of Tylophora indica: a

cross-over, double-blind study. Ann Allergy 1972; 30:407-

12

7] Thiruvengadam KV, Haranatii K, Sudarsan S, et al. Tylophora indica in bronchial asthma: a controlled comparison with a standard anti-asthmatic drug. J Indian Med Assoc 1978; 71:172-6.

9] Gupta S, George P, Gupta V, et al. Tylophora indica in

bronchial asthma double blind study. Indian J Med Res.

1979; 69:981-989

Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic crops – A A Farooqi

and B S Sreeramu

Selected Medicinal Plants of India- compiled by-Bhartiya

Vidya Bhavan’s and Swami Prakashanand Ayurveda

Research Centre-Bombay