Phytochemical and Heavy Metal Composition of Various Extracts of Ephedra sinica from Jordan

Background and Objective: Ephedra is used in traditional medicine overall, the world. It has a suggestive efficient anti-diabetic, antibacterial, antioxidant anti-asthmatic and anticancer activity. The present study was designed to evaluate the phytochemical potential, secondary metabolites and heavy metals content of different extracts of Ephedra sinica grown in Jordan. Materials and Methods: Dry leaves of E. sinica were extracted sequentially with ethanol, methanol, chloroform, acetone, n-hexane, ethyl acetate and water. Extracts were filtered, evaporated and tested for phytochemical components of flavonoids, tannins and total alkaloids, besides, heavy metal analysis for copper, cobalt, lead, cadmium and nickel. Results: The highest extract yield was obtained from water extract (56%) whereas hexane showed the lowest yield (7.5%). Ethanol extract showed the highest contents of flavonoids and tannin contents of (100.7?1.5 mg QE gG1 DW) and (44.03?7.4 mg GAE gG1 DW), respectively. The crude powder extract of E. sinica showed the acceptable amount of alkaloids of 17.4?1.3 mg gG1 DW, with normal values of heavy metal concentration. Conclusion: The yield and phytochemical components from E. sinica leaves are solvent-based. Further research is suggested to be conducted for any pharmacological potential of E. sinica phytochemical components