Stabilization of Ephedrine Alkaloid Content in Ephedra sinica by Selective Breeding and Stolon Propagation. 2017

Hajime Hiyama, and Aya Ozawa, and Hiroaki Kumazawa, and Osami Takeda
Botanical Raw Materials Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co.

The Ephedra herb, which has been used in Kampo medicines, originates from terrestrial stems of Ephedra species. It is important to establish cultivation methods and cultivars to secure a stable supply of the Ephedra herb that would meet the quality standards for the ephedrine alkaloids content. In this study, we first grew Ephedra sinica plants derived from seeds in the field for 5 years. Then, for selective breeding of cultivars that could meet the quality standards for the ephedrine alkaloids content, we measured the content of total alkaloids (TAs), ephedrine (Eph), and pseudoephedrine (PEph) in individual plants derived from seedlings and grown for 4 years in the field. The range of the TA content in each individual plant was narrower than that among individual plants grown in the field. Therefore, individual plants were selected according to their TA content, Eph/PEph ratio, and stolon-formation capability. The selected individuals were propagated using stolons, and their TA content was studied for 2 years. In the second year, the TA content in terrestrial stems derived from stolons of the selected individuals was as high as that of their parents. Therefore, it was confirmed that the selected individuals that were propagated using stolons could produce TA reproducibly. This study suggested that selective breeding using stolon propagation is effective for stabilizing Ephedra herb TA content.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D004809 Ephedrine A phenethylamine found in EPHEDRA SINICA. PSEUDOEPHEDRINE is an isomer. It is an alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonist that may also enhance release of norepinephrine. It has been used for asthma, heart failure, rhinitis, and urinary incontinence, and for its central nervous system stimulatory effects in the treatment of narcolepsy and depression. It has become less extensively used with the advent of more selective agonists. Ephedrine Hydrochloride,Ephedrine Renaudin,Ephedrine Sulfate,Erythro Isomer of Ephedrine,Sal-Phedrine,Ephedrine Erythro Isomer,Hydrochloride, Ephedrine,Renaudin, Ephedrine,Sal Phedrine,SalPhedrine,Sulfate, Ephedrine
D000069600 Plant Breeding The purposeful manipulation of plant species with the goal of creating desired genotypes and phenotypes, using techniques such as controlled pollination and or genetic engineering, followed by artificial selection of progeny. Breeding, Plant
D000470 Alkaloids Organic nitrogenous bases. Many alkaloids of medical importance occur in the animal and vegetable kingdoms, and some have been synthesized. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed) Alkaloid,Plant Alkaloid,Plant Alkaloids,Alkaloid, Plant,Alkaloids, Plant
D054199 Pseudoephedrine A phenethylamine that is an isomer of EPHEDRINE which has less central nervous system effects and usage is mainly for respiratory tract decongestion. Isoephedrine,Pseudoephedrine HCl,Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride,Sudafed,Threo Isomer of Ephedrine,Ephedrine Threo Isomer
D029790 Ephedra sinica A plant species of the family Ephedraceae, order Ephedrales, class Gnetopsida, division Gnetophyta. It is a source of EPHEDRINE and other alkaloids. Cao Ma-Huang,Ephedra equisetina,Ephedra vulgaris,Ma Huang,Mongolian Ephedra,Muzei Ma Huang,Chinese Ephedra,Ephedra, Chinese,Ephedra, Mongolian,Ma Huang, Muzei,Ma-Huang, Cao

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