Barberry Extract Research Articles

The effect of black barberry hydroalcoholic extract on immune mediators in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease associated with inflammation. In this trial, we aimed to investigate the Immunomodulatory effect of hydroalcoholic extract of black barberry on immune mediators in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 80 women with active RA were randomly assigned into two groups of two capsules, each containing 1,000 mg black barberry extract (n = 40) or maltodextrin placebo (n = 40) daily for 12 weeks. Demographic indices, physical activity, dietary intake, and disease activity were investigated using suitable questionnaires. Concentration of cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-17 in blood sample were measured using PBMC method. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 22). At baseline, there were no differences between the two groups in terms of demographic indices, physical activity, and dietary intake (p > .05). Black barberry supplementation reduced the severity of RA. It showed no significant effect on IL-2 and IL-4 cytokines (p > .05). IL-17 levels decreased significantly after the intervention within the black barberry group, while IL-10 had a significant increase in this group (p < .05). Barberry extract may reduce inflammatory and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines in RA, and stimulates the immune response by increasing Th2 production.

Effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Berberis Integerrima on the anthropometric indices and metabolic profile in active rheumatoid arthritis patients

ObjectivesSince, the main cause of death in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is the presence of type 2 diabetes, abnormal increase in blood lipids, blood pressure and obesity, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of Barberry on the anthropometric indices and metabolic profile in patients with RA. Designpresent study was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. Setting70 active RA patients were randomly allocated into intervention or placebo group InterventionParticipants received 6 capsules of 500 mg barberry extract or placebo for 3 months. Main outcome measuresSerum levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride (TG), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic and diastolic blood pressure and anthropometric factors were assessed at baseline and at the end of the trial. ResultsThe results of intervention on 62 patients showed that weight, BMI, and conicity index increased in both groups, but this was significant only in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Waist and hip circumference were decreased in the intervention group and increased significantly in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Body fat percent (p = 0.04), LDL-C (p = 0.05) and SBP (p = 0.02) significantly were decreased in the intervention group. The results showed a significant decrease in body fat percent (p = 0.05), hip circumference (p < 0.001), FBS (p = 0.03) and HDL-C (p = 0.03) in the intervention group compared to the placebo. Conclusions: Overall, the results of this study demonstrated that the extract of Berberis Integerrima had beneficial effects on metabolic profile and anthropometric indices in RA patients.

ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTITUMOR PROPERTIES OF DIFFERENT EXTRACTS OF MELISSA LEAVES AND BARBERRY ROOTS

Ethyl acetate and ethanol 80% extracts from Melissa officinalis (L.) (leaves) and Berberis vulgaris (roots) plants were studied in terms of phenolic compounds, for their antioxidant, antibacterial and antitumor properties. Total phenolics and total flavonoids were measured using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and aluminium chloride (AlCl3), respectively. The active ingredients of phenolics and flavonoids were identified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The major phenolic compound was identified by HPLC for melissa ethanolic extract was Rosmarinic acid (40.24 µg g-1 extract) and for ethanolic barberry extract was Catechol (40.2 µg g-1 extract). Total antioxidant capacity of the extracts was estimated by different methods including DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical), β-carotene/linoleic bleaching, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Extracts exhibited antioxidant activity that was comparable to the standard antioxidants TBHQ and gallic acid. Antibacterial activity of extracts was determined using pathogen gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria by disc assay method. Antitumor activity of extracts was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The highest activity of extracts for antioxidants, antibacterial and antitumor was Melissa leaves ethanolic extract. Therefore, these extracts could be used as preservative ingredients in the food and/or pharmaceutical industries. Results from this study could be used for improving natural antioxidants and bioactive factors to promote human health.

Combined Antilisterial Effects of Barberry Extract, Cinnamaldehyde and Nisin

Combined Antilisterial Effects of Barberry Extract, Cinnamaldehyde and Nisin

Biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using barberry (Berberis vulgaris) extract and assessment of their physico-chemical properties and antibacterial activities

AbstractZinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized using barberry (Berberis vulgaris) extract via heating method. The effects of the amount of barberry extract (15–35 ml) and the reaction time (30–90 min) on the antibacterial (clear zone diameter, mm) and antioxidant (%) activities of the synthesized ZnO NPs were investigated by response surface methodology. Main reducing and stabilizing compounds of barberry extract were identified by gas chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Spherical ZnO NPs with an average size of 20 nm were successfully fabricated at optimal synthesis conditions using 35 ml of barberry extract and 30 min reaction time. ZnO NPs were determined to have a zeta potential of –15.3 mV and an antioxidant activity of 28.8%. The antibacterial activity of fabricated ZnO NPs was tested againstStaphylococcus aureusand found to possess significant (p&lt;0.05) inhibitory effect against this microorganism.

Extract of Barberry as Entirely Green Catalyst for the Synthesis of Structurally Diverse 3,4,5-Substituted Furan-2(5H)-Ones

Extract of Barberry as Entirely Green Catalyst for the Synthesis of Structurally Diverse 3,4,5-Substituted Furan-2(5H)-Ones

مقایسه برخی ازخصوصیات فیزیکی و شیمیایی سه ژنوتیپ زرشک دانه‌دار بومی استان سمنان

کسب اطلاعات در مورد گیاهان بومی بعنوان منابع غذایی عملگر (فراسودمند) رو به افزایش است. یکی از این گیاهان، گونه‌های وحشی زرشک(Berberis. spp.) می‌باشد که بررسی خصوصیات فیزیکی و شیمیایی آنها می‌تواند زمینه کاربردشان را در صنایع غذایی و دارویی فراهم کند. لذا در این پژوهش بمنظور معرفی بیشتر این گیاه ارزشمند بومی، سه ژنوتیپ موجود در باغ کلکسیون زرشک پژوهشکده علوم و صنایع غذایی درسال 1390جمع‌آوری و برخی از خواص فیزیکی و شیمیایی آنها مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. نتایج حاکی از آن بود که بین خصوصیات فیزیکی بررسی شده فقط در طول میوه سه ژنوتیپ اختلاف‌ آماری معنی‌داری در سطح 5 درصدوجود داشت. هر سه ژنوتیپ حاوی میزان بالای چربی، پروتئین، کربوهیدرات و خاکستر بودند. ژنوتیپ نوشین دارای بالاترین قند احیاکننده (222/0±03/8) و در نتیجه دارای مزه شیرین‌تری نسبت به دو ژنوتیپ دیگر بود. هر سه ژنوتیپ در مقایسه با سایر میوه‌ها رنگی نظیر شاتوتو زغال اخته حاوی مقادیر قابل توجهی آنتوسیانین (60/3927-17/950 میلی‌گرم/ لیتر) و ترکیبات فنلی (35/12-75/9 گرم/ لیتر) بودند که بیانگر خواص سلامت‌بخش این میوه‌های خودرو و بومی می‌باشد. بلحاظ مواد معدنی هر سه ژنوتیپ غنی از ریزمغذی‌های مورد نیاز بدن انسان نظیر پتاسیم، کلسیم، منیزیم و روی بودند.

Growth and Survival of Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Bifidum in Probiotic Yogurts Enriched by Barberry Extract

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of functional properties of barberry aqueous extract in different concentration of 4 and 5% (w/w) on the growth and survival of probiotic cultures (L. acidophilus, B. bifidum and an equal mixture of the two strains) in the set and stirred yogurt samples. The viable counts of L. acidophilus and B. bifidum in the set and stirred probiotic yogurts containing barberry extract were significantly higher than the control yogurt sample during the storage period. In a single strain of L. acidophilus, the highest viable populations of L. acidophilus in the set and stirred yogurts containing 5% of barberry extract were 1.15 × 108 and 1.1 × 108 on the first day, respectively. Additionally, L. acidophilus counts showed sharp decrease throughout the storage period but its counts held probiotic value of 106 log cfu/gr until Day 21, also the lowest viable count of B. bifidum (9.3 × 105 log cfu/gr) was observed in the control sample at the end of the 21st day in a single strain of B. bifidum.Practical ApplicationsFruit and vegetable extracts are widely incorporated in food flavoring and are recently applied as growth‐stimulators of probiotic bacteria. The findings of this study indicated that probiotic yogurt samples fortified with barberry extract could be used as an adequate carrier of probiotic bacteria with bacterial counts more than the suggested level.

Effects of an ethanolic extract of Berberis vulgaris fruits on hyperglycemia and related gene expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

BackgroundFinding a treatment for diabetes that does not have side effects has remained elusive. Among natural agents, much attention has been focused on phenolic compounds. For both their medicinal and nutritional value, barberry plants are of particular interest. Berberis vulgaris is known for its medicinal benefits in Iranian traditional medicine. In this study, we investigated the biological activities of B.vulgaris in a rodent model of experimentally induced diabetes.MethodThe fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant levels were measured in experimental groups of rats, including normoglycemic control, diabetic control, and diabetics treated with B.vulgaris, and the gene expression of the stress proteins HSF-1, HSP27, and HSP70 as well as the enzymes glucokinase (GK) and glucose 6-phosphatase (G6P) were assayed by real-time PCR.ResultsThe application of the alcoholic extract of B.vulgaris (25 and 100 mg/kg body mass) significantly increased the total antioxidant levels, decreased MDA and FBG levels, and also increased mRNA level of GK compared with the diabetic control group (P ≤0.05). Our results also showed a reduction in HSP70 gene expression and a significant decrease in G6P gene expression in a dose-dependent manner (P ≤ 0.05). The effect of alcoholic extract of barberry at a higher dose (100 mg/kg) was similar to glibenclamide.ConclusionsB.vulgaris extract is beneficial in ameliorating oxidative stress and may be useful in the treatment of diabetes. The therapeutic potential of B.vulgaris may be through the modification of the gene expression of key enzymes or stress proteins and requires further investigation.

Evaluation of Inner Bark Extract of Barberry Stem and Its Synergy with Propiconazole, EDTA, BHT, and their Combinations against the White-rot Fungus Trametes versicolor

The synergistic action of water-methanol (1:1 v/v) inner bark extract of barberry (IBEB) stem and biocide, propiconazole (PCZ), and non-biocidal additives, EDTA, BHT, and their combinations with various concentrations (50, 150, 250, 350, and 450 ppm) against the white-rot fungus, Trametes (Coriolus) versicolor was investigated. Results obtained herein demonstrated that IBEB by itself did not exhibit antifungal property, and enhanced protection was further observed by combining it with PCZ. BHT and PCZ showed inhibition percentages of 54.3% and 43.6%, respectively, against the growth of T. versicolor, which reached 75% with BHT at 50 ppm. A synergistic effect was found by introducing PCZ to IBEB when tested against T. versicolor in vitro, with an inhibition percentage of 62% at 150 ppm. No synergistic action was exhibited from the combination treatment of IBEB+EDTA+BHT, and the activity was enhanced by introducing PCZ to this combination treatment (50% at 350 ppm). Significant synergistic action between each of factors of IBEB+PCZ, EDTA+PCZ, and BHT+PCZ was found with inhibition percentages of 49.7%, 48.6%, and 52.7%, respectively. In conclusion, it is advised that IBEB and PCZ be used clinically at the same time.

Barberry's (Berberis integerrima) ingredients suppress T-cell response and shift immune responses toward Th2: an in vitro study.

Aim:Food and medicinal applications of barberry date back to 2500 years ago. This study investigates Berberis integerrima impact on lymphocytic immune responses.Materials & methods:Balb/c splenocytes were treated by 0.001–1000 μg/ml of B. integerrimaaqueous and alcoholic extracts in presence of phytohemagglutinin and lipopolysaccharide mitogens. Cell proliferation was assayed and cytokines were measured using ELISA.Results:Both extracts suppressed proliferation of phytohemagglutinin stimulated splenocytes (as T cells), while alcoholic extract induced expansion of lipopolysaccharide activated cells (as B lymphocytes) and unstimulated cells (p < 0.05). Both barberry extracts suppressed IFN-γ production (p < 0.05) and enhanced IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β release from splenocytes (p < 0.05).Conclusion:Both extracts could suppress T-cell and enhance B-cell proliferation and shift immune responses toward Th2.

A quick overview on some aspects of endocrinological and therapeutic effects of Berberis vulgaris L.

Many herbaceous plants contain compounds that have biological effects in addition to their medicinal properties. They have compounds with numerous properties, including hypo lipidemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and hepato protective ones, which have been analyzed at different levels. One of these plants, with the scientific name of Berberis vulgaris, is barberry. The most important compounds identified in this plant are berberine, oxycontin, palmatine, bervulcine, berbamine, columbamine, jatrorrhizine, coptisine, and berbamine. In addition to alkaloids, organic acids such as chelidonic acid, citric acid, malic acid, resin, tannin, pectinic, and mucilagic substances are among the ingredients of barberry. In this paper, it was attempted to determine the role and effect of the extract of barberry on various body organs. The results showed that berberine actually increases insulin sensitivity and is capable of inhibiting alpha glucosidase, adipogenesis, and thus acts as an anti-obesity and hypoglycemic agent. Berberine reduces the density of serum cholesterol and triglycerides and can improve the function of liver enzymes, therefore, it can be suggested as a hypo lipidemic and hepato protective plant extract. The hepato protective effects of this extract are probably due to its antioxidant properties. Studies showed that barberry have numerous health benefits, including anti-inflammatory ones. Moreover, it can be used as a medicinal herb to treat a variety of disorders, such as diabetes, liver disease, gallbladder pain, digestive, urinary tract diseases, and gallstones. However, more studies on this issue and doing more focused and intensive researches in this field are recommended.

Anti-atherogenic potential of jujube, saffron and barberry: anti-diabetic and antioxidant actions.

Atherogenic dyslipidemia, characterized by an increased level of lipoprotein (a) and a decreased level of adiponectin, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients. To reduce cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients, use of agents with antidiabetic and anti-atherogenic potential is required. Using an animal model of diabetes, we investigated the antiatherogenic potential of extracts of three medicinal plants: jujube, barberry, and saffron. For this, serum level of fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, adiponectin and lipoprotein (a) in diabetic control and extract treated groups were measured. Statistical analysis of measurements showed that serum levels of fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, and VLDL decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in all treated groups. Treatment with all extracts reduced lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant capacity of the experimental diabetic groups. Serum adiponectin levels increased in all treated groups, whereas lipoprotein (a) levels decreased, most markedly when treated with jujube extract. Jujube, saffron, and barberry extracts are beneficial in ameliorating oxidative stress and atherogenic risk of diabetic rats. This highlights the benefits of further investigating the cardio-protective potential of medicinal plant extracts and evaluating their usefulness as cardio protective agents in clinical practice.

Alterations of Blood Pressure and ECG following Two-Week Consumption of Berberis integerrima Fruit Extract.

In light of the popularity and also the various nutritional and medicinal properties of Berberis integerrima, this study was conducted to assess the influence of its aqueous extract on hemodynamic and electrocardiogram (ECG) indices of rat. Animals were divided to control (CTL), B50, B100, and B200 groups that orally received tap water, aqueous extracts of B. integerrima fruit 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively, for two weeks and on day 15, data were recorded. Different doses of barberry fruit extract had no significant effect on blood pressure, heart rate, RR interval, P duration, and Q wave amplitude of electrocardiogram. Extract administration was associated with an incremental trend in PR interval that was not statistically significant. Higher doses (100 and 200 mg/kg) of extract significantly increased the QRS interval (P < 0.01 versus CTL and B50 groups) but decreased the QTc interval (P < 0.01 versus CTL group and P < 0.001 versus B50 group), the JT interval, and TpTe interval (P < 0.001 versus CTL and B50 groups). The results suggest that high doses of barberry extract definitely prolong the depolarization phase and shorten the repolarization phase of ventricular muscle and hence induce alteration in heart electrical conductivity.

Inhibitory Effect of Berberis vulgaris Aqueous Extract on Acquisition and Reinstatement Effects of Morphine in Conditioned Place Preferences (CPP) in Mice.

It has been elucidated that Berberis vulgaris (barberry) can alleviate morphine withdrawal syndrome. Also it has been reported that aqueous extract of barberry possibly have inhibitory effect on NMDA receptors. In this study, we decided to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of B. vulgaris fruit on morphine tendency in mice using conditioned place preference (CPP) method. In experiment 1 (acquisition phase), mice underwent morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) training with injections of morphine (40 mg/kg). In experiment 2 (extinction and reinstatement phases), mice underwent the same CPP training as in experiment 1 and subsequent extinction training on day 16th a reinstatement by CPP was done by injection of reminding 10 mg/kg morphine. The administration of morphine (40 mg/kg for four days) produced place preference. In the first method, the aqueous extract of barberry (200 mg/kg) prevented morphine tendency to white cell in CPP method. In the second method, after inter-peritoneal injection of aqueous extracts of barberry at 100 and 200 mg/kg, the animals tendency toward the white cells of CPP chamber on the sixteenth day (after a reminder injection of morphine 10 mg/kg) was significantly reduced. These results show that aqueous extract of barberry can reduce the acquisition and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference.

In vitro biological assessment of berberis vulgaris and its active constituent, berberine: antioxidants, anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-diabetic and anticancer effects

BackgroundBerberis vulgaris is a well known plant with traditional herbal medical history. The aims of this study was to bioscreen and compare the in vitro biological activity (antioxidant, cholinergic, antidaibetic and the anticancer) of barberry crude extract and berberine active compound.MethodsThe effect of B. vulgaris extract and berberine chloride on cellular thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) formation, diphenyle–α-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) oxidation, cellular nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging capability, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and α-gulcosidase activities were spectrophotometrically determined. On the other hand, the effect of extract and berberine as anticancer was estimated on three different cell lines which were MCF-7, HepG-2, and Caco-2 cells by using neutral red uptake assay which compared with control normal cells (PBMC).ResultsOur results showed that barberry crude extract contains 0.6 mg berberine/mg crude extract. Barberry extract showed potent antioxidative capacity through decreasing TBARS, NO and the oxidation of DPPH that associated with GPx and SOD hyperactivation. Inhibitory effect of berberis crude extract on α-glucosidase was more potent than that of berberine chloride, while both had the same AChE inhibitory effect. Besides, different concentrations of both berberine chloride and barberry ethanolic extract showed to have no growth inhibitory effect on normal blood cells (PBMC). Otherwise, both berberine chloride and barberry ethanolic extract showed to have inhibitory effect on the growth of breast, liver and colon cancer cell lines (MCF7, HepG2 and CACO-2, respectively) at different incubation times starting from 24 hrs up to 72 hrs and the inhibitory effect increased with time in a dose dependant manner.ConclusionThis work demonstrates the potential of the barberry crude extract and its active alkaloid, berberine, on suppressing lipid peroxidation, suggesting a promising use in the treatment of hepatic oxidative stress, Alzheimer and idiopathic male factor infertility. Beside, berberis vulgaris ethanolic extract is safe non-toxic extract as it was not inhibit the growth of PBMC that can induce cancer cell death that could return to its powerful antioxidant activity.

A Study on Antioxidant Potency and Antibacterial Activity of Water Extracts of Some Spices Widely Consumed in Iranian Diet

The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of water extracts of sumac (Rhus coriaria), barberry (Berberis vulgaris), black pepper (Piper nigrum), red pepper (Capsicum annuum), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), laurel (Laurus nobilis), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), white mustard (Sinapis alba) and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans). The antioxidant activity of extracts was tested using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and reducing power tests. The antibacterial activity of extracts was determined by agar well diffusion and resazurin microtiter-plate assays. Sumac, laurel and barberry extracts showed the highest antioxidant activity, respectively. Meanwhile, the highest concentration of total phenolic was obtained in the extracts of laurel and sumac. The results of antibacterial tests revealed that the extracts of sumac and barberry had the strongest antibacterial activity against tested bacteria. Practical Applications There is an increasing interest in using plant extracts by the food industry as natural preservatives. Lipid oxidation and microbial growth in food can be controlled by the use of plant extracts. This study showed that the water extracts of sumac, laurel and barberry had the strongest antioxidant activity while the sumac and barberry extracts exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against four foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, the water extracts of sumac, laurel and barberry can be used as effective preservatives in food systems.

Aqueous Extract of Dried Fruit of Berberis vulgaris L. in Acne vulgaris, a Clinical Trial

ABSTRACTBerberis vulgaris L. (barberry) is a very well-known herb in traditional medicine. Apart from its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, the antilipogenic effect of barberry on the sebaceous glands in animals may further suggest it could be employed as an anti-acne agent. This study examined the effect of oral aqueous extract of barberry on acne vulgaris. Adolescents aged 12–17 years with moderate to severe acne vulgaris were randomly given oral gelatin capsules containing either aqueous extract of dried barberry (600 mg daily for 4 weeks, n = 25) or placebo (n = 24). Counts of facial noninflamed, inflamed, and total acne lesions, as well as the Michaelson's acne severity score were documented at baseline and at weeks 2 and 4. Both groups were comparable in terms of the patients’ characteristics and baseline variables. After 4 weeks, the mean number of noninflamed, inflamed, and total lesions as well as mean Michaelson's acne severity score declined significantly by 43.25 ± 10.88% (median: 42.11%), 44.53 ± 11.78% (median: 45.45%), 44.64 ± 8.46% (median: 46.15%), and 44.38 ± 8.25% (median: 44.07%), respectively, among the extract receivers (p <.001 for all the changes). Similar changes were not significant in the placebo group. No notable complication or side effect was reported in relation to barberry. In conclusion, oral aqueous extract of dried barberry is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective choice in teenagers with moderate to severe acne vulgaris.

A pharmacological study on Berberis vulgaris fruit extract

Berberis vulgaris fruit (barberry) is known for its antiarrhythmic and sedative effects in Iranian traditional medicine. The effects of crude aqueous extract of barberry on rat arterial blood pressure and the contractile responses of isolated rat aortic rings and mesenteric bed to phenylephrine were investigated. We also examined effect of the extract on potassium currents recorded from cells in parabrachial nucleus and cerebellum rejoins of rat brain. Administration of the extract (0.05–1 mg/100 g body weight of rat) significantly reduced the mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate in anaesthetized normotensive and desoxycorticosteron acetate-induced hypertensive rats in a dose-dependent manner. Concentration–response curves for phenylephrine effects on isolated rat aortic rings and the isolated mesenteric beds in the presence of the extract were significantly shifted to the right. Application of the extract (1–50 μg/ml) shifted the activation threshold voltage to more negative potentials, leading to an enhancement in magnitude of the outward potassium current recorded from cells present in rat brain slices of parabrachial nucleus and cerebellum. This effect on potassium current may explain the sedative and neuroprotective effects of barberry. The present data support the hypothesis that the aqueous extract of barberry has beneficial effects on both cardiovascular and neural system suggesting a potential use for treatment of hypertension, tachycardia and some neuronal disorders, such as epilepsy and convulsion.