Ephedra alata extracts exhibits anti-obesity, anti-hyperlipidaemic, anti-hyperglycemia, anti-antipyretic and analgesic effects through the inhibition of lipase, α-amylase and inflammation

Abstract

In this present study, phytochemical screening, anti-obesity, anti- antipyretic and analgesic effect of Ephedra alata (EA) extracts were evaluated. Results of this study showed that the methanol EA extract (MEAE) had a stronger inhibition activity on key enzyme related to obesity as lipase (IC50 = 1.296 mg/ml) as compared to water and ethyl acetate extracts ( with IC50 = 1.639 and 1.897 respectively). Also results revealed that ethyl acetate extract depicted high activity toward key enzyme related to hyperglycemia as α-amylase (IC50 = 0.284 mg/mL) while water and methanol extracts showed good to moderate inhibitory activity (IC50 = 1,525 and 1,103 mg/ml respectively). In HFFD rats, the administration of MEAE at 200 mg/kg inhibited key enzyme related to fat digestion and absorption as lipase in the intestine, pancreas and serum by 53, 40 and 53% respectively,which leads to decrease in body weight by 20% and also modulation of lipid profile. In addition, the administration of MEAE to HFFD-rats exerts an inhibitory effect on α-amylase activity in the intestine, pancreas and serum by 43, 26 and 46% respectively and this leads to decrease in blood glucose level by 35%. Also, MEAE exert antipyretic and analgesic activities. This study demonstrates for the first time that MEAE are efficient in preventing obesity and hyperglycemia and liver toxicity. This data generated during study shows antipyretic and analgesic activities of MEAE.

Phytochemicals, Traditional Uses, Biological Effects, and Possible Molecular Mechanisms of Ephedra alata

“…The analgesic potential of the ME of E. alata leaves (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) has been studied by Tiss et al in mice that received acetic acid (10 mL/kg) to induce the writhing reflex. 58 The highest doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of the ME of E. alata leaves provoked a cramp decrease (49.60% and 55.86%, respectively) compared to the control. Any substance capable of inhibiting acetic acid-induced writhing may potentially possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.…”

“…48 Additionally, Elshibani et al have mentioned that the ME of Libyan E. alata had a significant cytotoxic effect against two human cancer cell lines, namely the human liver cancer cell line HEPG2 (IC 50 = 32.9 µg/mL) and the human prostate cancer cell line PC3 (IC 50 = 30.4 µg/mL), compared with the positive control doxorubicin (IC 50 HEPG2 = 21.6 µg/mL and IC 50 PC3 = 23.8 µg/mL). 58 Bensam et al also found that the ethanolic extract of Algerian E. alata aerial parts exhibited a good anticancer potential against MCF-7 cells (IC 50 = 153 µg/mL), HEPG2 cells (IC 50 = 359.43 µg/mL), and a human colon cancer cell line (IC 50 = 407.26 µg/mL). 12 The molecular analysis showed that four genes, Bax, p21, retinoblastoma protein, and tumor protein P53, were upregulated in MCF-7 cells treated either with the ethanolic extract of E. alata or the drug 5-fluorouracil.…”

“…The antipyretic activity of the ME of E. alata leaves was studied by Tiss et al in mice having a fever of 39°C. 58 The antipyretic effect started in the second hour and persisted for a duration of 4 h after the administration of the extract. The obtained antipyretic effect of the E. alata extract was likely due to the presence of flavonoids (diazein, epicatechin, rutin, quercitin, and myricetin derivatives) and alkaloids (ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and ephedroxane).…”