Ephedra Herb extract ameliorates adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome in rats via the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway / 中国天然药物

This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of Ephedra Herb (EH) extract on adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome (NS), providing an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of NS. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and kidn injury molecule-1 were used to evaluate the activities of EH extract on renal function. The levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress were detected by kits. The levels of reactive oxygen species, immune cells, and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. A network pharmacological approach was used to predict the potential targets and mechanisms of EH extract in the treatment of NS. The protein levels of apoptosis-related proteins and CAMKK2, p-CAMKK2, AMPK, p-AMPK, mTOR and p-mTOR in the kidneys were detected by Western blot. The effective material basis of EH extract was screened by MTT assay. The AMPK pathway inhibitor (compound C, CC) was added to investigate the effect of the potent material basis on adriamycin-induced cell injury. EH extract significantly improved renal injury and relieve inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in rats. Network pharmacology and Western blot results showed that the effect of EH extract on NS may be associated with the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, methylephedrine significantly ameliorated adriamycin-induced NRK-52e cell injury. Methylephedrine also significantly improved the phosphorylation of AMPK and mTOR, which were blocked by CC. In sum, EH extract may ameliorate renal injury via the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, methylephedrine may be one of the material bases of EH extract.

Japanese Kampo Medicines for Pandemic/Epidemic Prone-acute Respiratory Viral Infections Represented by Influenza Before Modern Times—The Quality of Ephedra Herb and Its Impact on Clinical Efficacy / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Japanese traditional (Kampo) medicine saved many lives during the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918-­20. In Japan, acute viral respiratory infections represented by influenza have been called shokan (cold damage), and so on since ancient times. These infections were treated by prescriptions that were adopted from Chinese classical texts including “Shanghan lun (Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases),” “Xiaopin fāng (Prescriptions of Sketch),” “Tai ping hui min he jì ju fang (Formulary of the Bureau of Taiping People's Welfare Pharmacy),” and “Wan bing hui chun (Restoration of Health from Myriad Diseases).” Additional materials include (but are not limited to) “Ishimpo (Prescriptions of Medical Sprit),” “Ton-­i-­sho (Abstract of Medical Enlightenment),” and the diaries of some Muromachi aristocrats. In the Edo period (1603-1868), treatment with Kampo medi­cines developed uniquely in Japan, but due to medical and economic disparities, many patients could not be treated by Kampo experts. Ephedra herb, a key drug for treating shokan (cold damage), has shown major problems in terms of quality, because it has been confused with plants of the genus horsetail since at least the 8 th century ; its medicinal effects may therefore have been underestimated. The effectiveness of Kampo medicine against the novel influenza/coronavirus pandemic is anticipated, however, in order to fully exploit its potential, it is important that physicians with sufficient knowledge of Kampo should use Kampo medications properly.

<b>Development of a Quick High-Yield Method for the Preparation of Decoctions, Inspired by the “Zhu san Fa” of the Song Period (Part 2)</b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

The IPCD (Immersing Powdered Crude Drugs) method, inspired by the “zhu san fa” which was widely used in the Song period of China, has been developed to prepare Kampo decoctions quickly and easily, with highyield extract from crude drugs. One trouble with the IPCD method occurs when separating the decoction from the muddy residue of the crude drug powder. When powdered ephedra herb is packed in a nonwoven fabric bag and immersed in hot water, yield of the marker compounds is much lower than that obtained when ephedra herb powder is dispersed freely in hot water without a nonwoven fabric bag. Thus the use of a nonwoven fabric bag was shown to be unsuitable with the IPCD method. In investigating an easy and more efficient separation method, we tried decanting with a commercially available wine carafe to separate the decoction and residue. With IPCD followed by decantation using the wine carafe, yields of about 80% decoction volume were obtained as compared with those when cut crude drugs are decocted and filtered using a tea strainer, in 6 of the 7 formulas tried. We find that decantation using a wine carafe is a more practical way of separation in the IPCD method.

Investigation of Decoction Procedure of Maoto Described in Shokan-ron Using Mouse Amylase Inhibitory Activity / 日本東洋医学雑誌

The adequacy of the Maoto decoction procedure described in the Shokan-ron text was investigated using the inhibitory activity of blended Ephedra herb on amylase enzyme. This enzyme is closely related to stress, and used clinically as an indicator of stress in humans.α-amylase in isolated mouse plasma was used in the experiment, and the enzymatic activity was measured according to the Caraway method. Two different decoction methods: the general process used today, and that described in the Shokan-ron (Ephedra herb alone is firstly infused, then another 3 crude drugs are added and it is further infused), were compared for yield of the extracts, inhibitory actions of the extracts, their crude polysaccharide fraction (one of the active components), and remaining fractions contained within each extract. The inhibitory activity of the extract was clearly promoted by the latter, ancient decoction method, compared with the former. Hence, the decoction method described in the Shokan-ron is presumed to have the aim of reducing stress to the body caused by Maoto itself, and mitigating the side effects of its component Ephedra herb. This biologically qualitative approach, reflected over the entire decoction process, is different from the simply physicochemically analytical approach which concerns itself merely with particular constituents, such as alkaloids. So, it may be beneficial to scientifically elucidate the significance of this decoction and its ingestion methods, as described by the ancient Shokan-ron and Kinki-yoryaku texts.