Ephedrine Research Papers

Ephedrine is defined as an adrenergic bronchodilator commonly prescribed for the treatment of asthma and bronchitis and for use as a nasal decongestant. In recent years, the use of ephedrine has become popular for its effectiveness in weight loss.

Ephedrine is derived from ephedra plants. Eurasian species of ephedra plants produce ephedrine and pseudoephedrine while Asian varieties are used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Combined, Eurasian and Asian ephedra contain “nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites with known neuropharmacological activity”. Some Ephedra species contain no alkaloid content while the Asian species is thought to contain the highest ephedrine content. In any given plant, the alkaloid content of ephedra sinica can range from 1 to 3 percent of which 40 to 90 percent are ephedrine alkaloids.

In the last decade, herbal diet supplements containing ephedra (ma huang) have gained in popularity as a diet aid and a natural energizer. Ma Huang is commonly referred to as Chinese ephedra. Ephedrine alkaloids are active ingredients found in Ephedra plants and commonly marketed as safe, all natural alternatives to other diet supplements. In 2000 experts estimated that some 12 million people in the United States used some type of ephedrine containing product.

The popular use of the ephedra-containing diet supplements and the deaths associated with their use has spurred the debate for some type of federal regulation on the sale and use of the products. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the combination of ephedrine and caffeine in over the counter allergy and cold medications two decades ago, the same combination is not regulated when sold as herb-based, all natural dietary supplements.

Custom Ephedrine Research Papers from Paper Masters

A research paper is an in-depth examination of Ephedrine. More than just an overview of what was learned on Ephedrine, like a term paper is, a research paper contains analysis of Ephedrine along the lines of organizational theory and relevant published material. Research papers are highly analytical and can often be more than 8 to 10 pages. The key to a good research project is the examination of recently published journal articles and peer-reviewed material on the Ephedrine chosen. Like the name implies, research papers are exactly that, a paper that examines the information that can be found on Ephedrine.