Unveiling the Medicinal Potential of Berberis aristata: A Traditional Native Plant of Uttarakhand

Abstract

Since ancient times, indigenous medicinal system of India has included herbal plants as a traditional source of medicine. India is known as a rich repository of medicinal plants, and one such plant is Berberis aristata which belongs to the family Berberidaceae which grows mainly in the sub-Himalayan region and the Nilgiri Hills of Southern India. Berberis aristata is used as traditional medicine in various communities to treat eye disorders, piles, osteoporosis, joint pain, skin diseases, malaria, diarrhoea, dysentery, fever, allergic conditions, ophthalmia, metabolic disorders and during menopause. The plant contains various phytochemical constituents, mainly alkaloids like berberine, oxyberberine, berbamine, aromoline, karachine, palmatine, oxyacanthine, and taxilamine. Berberine, the major alkaloid, is found in roots, stem bark, rhizomes, and leaves, with the highest concentration in the roots. Various pharmacological properties of Berberis aristata have been reported such as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and improved reproductive health. This review aims to highlight the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Berberis aristata which will be helpful to give insights on medicinal utility of the plant. Although more elaborated clinical trials and studies at molecular level will be required to fully understand and validate these properties.