[Mahuang (herbaceous stem of Ephedra spp.): chemistry, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics].
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi
; 47(13): 3409-3424, 2022 Jul.
Article
in Chinese
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1939525
ABSTRACT
The Chinese medicinal herb Mahuang is herbaceous stem of Ephedra sinica, E. intermedia, or E. equisetina(Family, Ephedraceae). In China, Mahuang has been used, all the way over a millennium, as a key component herb of many herbal medicines for management of epidemics of acute respiratory illness and is also used in officially recommended herbal medicines for COVID-19. Mahuang is the first-line medicinal herb for cold and wheezing and also an effective diuretic herb for edema. However, Mahuang can also exert significant adverse effects. The key to safety and effectiveness is rational and precise use of the herb. In this review article, we comprehensively summarize chemical composition of Mahuang and associated differences in pharmacognosy, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of Mahuang compounds, along with the adverse effects of Mahuang compounds and products. Based on full understanding of how Mahuang is used in Chinese traditional medicine, systematic research on Mahuang in line with contemporary standards of pharmaceutical sciences will facilitate promoting Chinese herbal medicines to become more efficient in management of epidemic illnesses, such as COVID-19. To this end, we recommend research on Mahuang of two aspects, i.e., pharmacological investigation for its multicompound-involved therapeutic effects and toxicological investigation for clinical manifestation of the adverse effects, chemicals responsible for the adverse effects, and conditions for safe use of the herb and the herb-containing medicines.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
/
Ephedra
/
Ephedra sinica
/
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
Type of study:
Prognostic study
/
Systematic review/Meta Analysis
Topics:
Traditional medicine
Limits:
Humans
Language:
Chinese
Journal:
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi
Journal subject:
Pharmacology
/
Complementary Therapies
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.cnki.cjcmm.20220425.601
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