Ephedra alata Extracts as Promising Biotherapeutics Against Infection and Inflammation

Abstract

Ephedra alata (Ephedraceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in North African and Middle Eastern folk medicine to treat respiratory infections, inflammation, and pain. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts from E. alata aerial parts collected in Oued Al Alenda, Algeria, to provide pharmacological evidence supporting its traditional uses.
Aqueous and ethanolic extracts were obtained by hot maceration and ethanol soaking, respectively. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids, with saponins detected only in the aqueous extract. Antibacterial activity was assessed by the disk diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli (2–5 mg/mL). Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using a carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats, with Diclofenac as reference.
The ethanolic extract showed a higher yield (20.30%) than the aqueous extract (15.09%) and exhibited strong antibacterial effects against S. aureus (17 mm) and P. aeruginosa (15 mm). The aqueous extract was moderately active against P. aeruginosa (14.5 mm) and E. coli (13.5 mm). In vivo, the ethanolic extract inhibited paw edema by 54% after 4 h, comparable to Diclofenac (50%), while the aqueous extract achieved 33%. C-reactive protein levels were significantly reduced by both extracts.
These findings confirm the strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potential of Ephedra alata, particularly its ethanolic extract, supporting its relevance as a natural biotherapeutic source for infection and inflammation management.