Antiinflammatory Actions of Ephedrines in Acute Inflammations[1]

Abstract

Ephedrine (EP), pseudoephedrine (PEP), ephedroxane (EX) and pseudoephedroxane (PEX) inhibited carrageenin-induced hind-paw edema in sham-operated mice as well as adrenalectomized mice. Hind-paw edema induced by histamine, serotonin, bradykinin and prostaglandin E₁ was suppressed by these alkaloids, showing that they exert the antiinflammatory activity at the early exudative stage of inflammation. Although tolazoline and propranolol had no effects on the inhibitory activity of EX and PEX, treatment with tolazoline decreased the antiinflammatory activity of EP and PEP on carrageenin-induced hind-paw edema. Antiinflammatory activity of PEP was reduced by previous treatment with reserpine, indicating the antiinflammatory activity of EP and PEP to be partly concerned with the sympathetic nervous system. Although these alkaloids injected i.c.v. elicited no antiinflammatory actions on carrageenin-induced hind-paw edema and the inhibitory activity of morphine on carrageenin-induced hind-paw edema was potentiated by the concurrent administration of PEP and EX, demonstrating that the mechanism of antiinflammatory activity does not involve the central nervous system. Further, these alkaloids inhibited prostaglandin E₂ biosynthesis.

1 Studies on the constituents of Ephedra. 18. Also forms Part 75 in the series on the validity of the Oriental medicines