9- Ephedra Herb

Origin:
The dried young branches,
harvested in the fall of
Ephedra sinica F.
Euphedraceae.
 Active Constituents:
1- Alkaloid: Mainly composed of Ephedrine; its derivatives are
(Pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine).
2- Flavonoid, Tannins, V.O.
5- Citric, Maleic Oxalic acids.

Action:
- Sympathomimetic (Due to structural similarity to Adrenaline).
- Stimulate cardiac muscle
- Bronchodilator (increase intensity of respiration).
Uses:
1- Treatment of bronchial asthma.
2- As drops in nasal congestion as local constrictor (in common
cold).
3- Hypertensive (or treatment of low blood pressure).

Contraindication:
1- Hypertension.
2- Glaucoma.
3- Restlessness & Anxiety.
4- Prostate Oedema.

Side effect:
Insomina & Irritability, Disturbance of urination.

Overdose:
Cardiac Arrhythmia.
Tests for identification:
Chen's test (Copper sulphate test):
To a solution of ephedrine in water add two drops of
5% CuSO4, and 0.5 ml 20% NaOH, a violet color is
produced, on shaking with 1 ml ether or benzene, the
organic layer acquires a purple color and the aqueous
layer a blue color.
Bronchial
asthma

Nasal congestion
10

Saccharomyses
11- Thallophyta (Lower plants)
Definition:
• The plants which are
undifferentiated into stems,
roots, leaves..etc.
• Branching is Dichotomous
(apical type branching).
• e.g. Algae & Fungi.
(A) Brown algae (Fucus)
• Reproduction occur sexually or asexually.
• Sexual organs called conceptacles.

Active constituents:
• Mucilaginous substance named Algin or Fucin,
Ca salt of alginic acid, Iodine (0.04%).
 Uses:

- In pharmaceutical industry:
 In cosmetics.
 As sizing agent.
 To increase viscosity of cough syrup.
 As disintegrating agents in tablet manufacture.
- Medicinal use:
 Preparation of Al alginate used for
stomach ulcer.
 Preparation of insol. alginate, easily
formed into threads (surgical threads).
 Ca. alginate used as dressing locally
formed clot which is absorbed later &
disappear.
(B) Red Algae (Carrageen)
Origin:
Dried bleached thallus of khondrus crispus, Family
Gigartinaseae.

Active constituents:
1- Two Pectinous substances, one sol. in cold H2O &
other in hot H2O.
2- Mucilaginous subs. "Carrageenin".
3- Traces of I2 and Br2
Uses:
1- Nutritive substance.
2- Demulcent.
3- In peptic ulcer.
4- In chronic diarrhea.
5- Emulsifying agent & disintegrating
agent in tablet preparation.
(C) Lichens (Cetraria, Iceland moss)
Origin:
• Dried lichen of Cetraria islandica,
F. Parmeliaceae.

Active constituents:
1- Two complex carbohydrates:
a- Lichenin (40%).
b- Isolichenin (10%).
2- Bitter principle.

Uses:
1- Bitter stomachic.
2- Tonic.
3-Yeild demulcent & Nutrient Jelly.