Ephedra alata
Ephedra alata, commonly known as Alata Ephedra, is a medicinal shrub native to the arid regions of Central Asia. Renowned for its alkaloid content, particularly ephedrine, it has been used traditionally to treat respiratory ailments and boost energy. Today, it remains a significant subject in pharmacological research and ethnobotany.
- Scientific name: Ephedra alata
- Family: Ephedraceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Gnetidae and the order Ephedrales. Finally, it resides in the family Ephedraceae and the genus Ephedra, specifically identified as the species Ephedra alatas.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Gnetidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ephedrales | WCVP |
| Family | Ephedraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ephedra | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Ephedra alata, is known by various common names depending on the language, including שרביטן מכונף in Hebrew, علندى مجنحة in Arabic, крилата ефедра in Bulgarian, chvojník křídlatý in Czech, and علندى مجنحه in Arabic (Egyptian dialect).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| he | שרביטן מכונף | Wikidata |
| ar | علندى مجنحة | Wikidata |
| bg | крилата ефедра | Wikidata |
| cs | chvojník křídlatý | Wikidata |
| arz | علندى مجنحه | Wikidata |
| ar | ذيل ماعز | Wikidata |
| ar | علد | Wikidata |
| ar | عنب بحر | Wikidata |
| ar | عاذر | Wikidata |
| ar | أيفيدرا | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Ephedra alata, is widely distributed across several regions in Northern Africa. Its presence is notably recorded in the country of Algeria, where it grows within specific arid habitats. In addition to this, the species can be found spanning across the territories of Egypt and Libya. It also inhabits various parts of Morocco, contributing to its regional diversity. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant extends to Tunisia, completing its footprint across the North African landscape.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Western Sahara | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Chad | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Iraq | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Ephedra alata, is a medicinal shrub whose therapeutic properties are derived from various components of its structure. The most commonly utilized portion is the aerial parts, which encompass the entire above-ground structure of the plant. Within these aerial parts, the slender, photosynthetic stems serve a primary role, often working in conjunction with the scale-like leaves that are reduced in size to minimize water loss. Additionally, the seeds play a significant role in the plant's reproductive cycle and are also recognized as a distinct component of its biological makeup.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ephedra alata has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Myricetin 3-rhamnoside, apigenin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, isorhoifolin.
- Total chemicals
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Myricetin 3-rhamnoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apigenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isorhoifolin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| magnesium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin 3-D-galactoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rosmarinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ephedra alata has 3 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ephedra alata has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, breast cancer, bronchial asthma, diabetes mellitus, liver cancer.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchial asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| liver cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| uterine cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |