It is generally accepted that the primary pharmacological activities and adverse effects of
Ephedra Herb are caused by
ephedrine alkaloids. Interestingly, our research shows that
Ephedra Herb also has
ephedrine alkaloid-independent pharmacological actions, such as c-MET inhibitory activity. This study describes the preparation of an
ephedrine alkaloids-free
Ephedra Herb extract (EFE) by ion-exchange column chromatography, as well as in vitro and in vivo evaluation of its pharmacological actions and toxicity. We confirmed that EFE suppressed
hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced
cancer cell motility by preventing both HGF-induced phosphorylation of c-Met and its
tyrosine kinase activity. We also investigated the
analgesic effect of EFE. Although the
analgesic effect of
Ephedra Herb has traditionally been attributed to
pseudoephedrine,
oral administration of EFE reduced
formalin-induced
pain in a dose-dependent manner in mice. Furthermore, we confirmed the anti-influenza virus activity of EFE by showing inhibition of MDCK cell
infection in a concentration-dependent manner. All assessments of toxicity, even after repeated
oral administration, suggest that EFE would be a safer alternative to
Ephedra Herb. The findings described here suggest that EFE has c-Met inhibitory action,
analgesic effect, and anti-
influenza activity, and that it is safer than
Ephedra Herb extract itself. Therefore, EFE could be a useful pharmacological agent.