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Plants Used for Respiratory Problems

Plants Used for Respiratory Problems. Respiratory Problems. Various conditions can interfere with the gas exchange in the lungs Infectious disease Chronic diseases Asthma Emphysema. Asthma. Chronic breathing disorder

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Plants Used for Respiratory Problems

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  1. Plants Used for Respiratory Problems

  2. Respiratory Problems • Various conditions can interfere with the gas exchange in the lungs • Infectious disease • Chronic diseases • Asthma • Emphysema

  3. Asthma • Chronic breathing disorder • Characterized by inflammation of the airways, bronchial constriction, excessive mucous secretion - results in wheezing, coughing, and choking • Responsible for 5,000 deaths/yr in the US • Attacks triggered by exposure to allergens and also infections, stress, exercise

  4. Airway constriction • Narrowing of airways due to • contraction of the smooth muscles • edema of bronchial walls • retention of viscid bronchial secretions

  5. Normal Function of Airway

  6. Asthmatic lungs

  7. Asthma Increase • 15 to 18 million people in US suffer from asthma including 5 million children • $5 billion in medical costs each year • Since 1980, asthma reports have increased 75% - up 160% in children • Exact reason not certain - possibly better diagnosis, possibly increased exposure to indoor allergens - possibly lifestyle changes

  8. Asthma Treatment • Many treatment options • Bronchodilators • Anti-inflammatories • Allergy shots (desensitization)

  9. Bronchodilators • Help to stop asthma attacks after they've started • Can help prevent expected attacks, as from exercise • Relax smooth muscles of bronchioles - this opens bronchioles and makes breathing easier

  10. Two types of bronchodilators • Adrenergic agents • Increase the volume and diameter of bronchial smooth muscles by relaxing them • Include norepinephrine, epinephrine, and ephedrine • Theophylline drugs • Act of the bronchial muscles to relieve obstruction, increase coronary blood flow and stimulate respiration

  11. A very short list of plant extracts • Ephedrine • Theophylline

  12. Ephedra Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine

  13. Ephedra spp. Gymnosperm in Division Gnetophyta - very small group of gymnosperms - 3 genera Lots of botanical interest Small shrub common in arid and desert areas - widely distributed in these habitats Reduced scale-like leaves Stem green and photosynthetic Ephedra sinica well known as source of drug ephedrine

  14. Medicinal Use of Ephedra • Long history of use as a medicinal plant especially as a decongestant for asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions • In China, Ephedra sinica – called Ma Huang has been used for thousands of years • Also well known as a stimulant

  15. Stimulant use well known • Its use as stimulant is because it is similar in action to adrenaline and amphetamines • increases heart rate and blood pressure • found in many OTC herbal drugs • abuse as a “legal” street drug

  16. Alkaloids in Ephedra • Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine • Ephedrine used in prescription drugs since the 1920s • Also used in OTC drugs • Very effective decongestants – relaxes bronchial muscles and opens airways • Also CNS stimulant that increases heart rate and blood pressure and blood flow to brain • Stimulating properties of pseudoephedrine not as great and preferred today

  17. Ephedrine

  18. Pseudoephedrine

  19. Mode of Action • Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine can cross the blood/brain barrier • Mimic activity of the sympathetic nervous system by interacting with various neurotransmitters • Specifically, ephedrine enhances the release of the hormone/neurotransmitter norepinephrine and stimulates alpha and beta–adrenergic receptors

  20. More mode of action • Beta-2 receptors in the lungs are stimulated to open the airways - this is responsible for its effectiveness as a bronchodilator • Other types of receptors also stimulated: • Beta-1 receptors in the heart increase heart rate and force of contraction • Alpha-1 receptors increase blood pressure and decrease circulation to the renal system and other parts of the body

  21. Adrenal Hormones • Increased rate and force of contraction of the heart muscle: predominantly an effect of epinephrine acting through beta receptors • Constriction of blood vessels: norepinephrine, in particular, causes widespread vasoconstriction, resulting in increased resistance and blood pressure • Dilation of bronchioles: assists in pulmonary ventilation

  22. More on adrenal hormones • Stimulation of lipolysis in fat cells: provides fatty acids for energy production in many tissues and aids in conservation of dwindling reserves of blood glucose. • Increased metabolic rate: oxygen consumption and heat production increase in response to epinephrine • Hormones also promote breakdown of glycogen in skeletal muscle to provide glucose for energy production

  23. Epinephrine and Norepinephrine Synthesized in the body from a.a. Tyrosine

  24. Other beta-2 agonists • Epinephrine (adrenaline) was once a conventional treatment for asthma • similar to ephedrine but much more active and short-acting • Epinephrine was replaced by current asthma medications which are able to act more selectively on beta-2 receptors • Epinephrine still used in emergency treatment of asthma – Epi-pens

  25. Common side effects of ephedrine • Headache, irritability, restlessness of muscles, nausea, sleeplessness, increased heart rate, urinary disturbances and vomiting • Higher dosages may result in drastic increases in blood pressure and cardiac rhythm disorders • Since ephedrine chemically similar to epinephrine, it works like a powerful cardiac stimulant and may cause cardiac arrest in infants and heart patients

  26. Ephedrine contra-indicated • Non-specific stimulation of adrenergic receptors means that ephedra products should not be used in people with • anxiety and restlessness • high blood pressure • glaucoma • impaired circulation of the cerebrum • prostate adenoma

  27. Ephedrine sources • Chinese species Ephedra sinica original source of the alkaloid ephedrine • Today ephedrine is synthesized in lab • New synthetic drugs based on ephedrine ring structure are now marketed as effective and safer bronchodilators

  28. Pseudoephedrine • Compared to ephedrine, it causes fewer heart symptoms such as palpitations, but is equally effective as a bronchodilator • Today also synthesized in lab • It is used in many over-the-counter drugs • Ephedra sinica and other species are also marketed under the name of "ma-huang," a popular herbal stimulant and decongestant

  29. Many OTC products

  30. Abuse of Ephedrine • Stimulating effects of ephedrine similar to to amphetamines • This had led to street abuse of Ephedra products • Described as “herbal ecstasy” • Serious side effects can occur – irregular heart beats, dizziness, heart attacks, strokes, seizures • Hundreds have suffered serious effects • Several states have passed laws regulating the sale – as a controlled substance • FDA has proposed limits on amounts in herbals • Ephedrine can also be chemically converted into methamphetamine or "crank“

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