THE PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF BERBERIS ARISTTATA: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

An ayurvedic herb utilised since ancient times, Berberis aristata is an Indian medicinal plant that is a member of the Berberidaceae family. Other names for it are Daruharidra, Daruhaldi, Indian berberi, Darvi, and Chitra. Antipyretic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and antilipidemic properties are all beneficial properties of the plant. Additionally, gynaecological disorders, HIV-AIDS, osteoporosis, diabetes, eye and ear infections, wound healing, jaundice, skin illnesses, malarial fever, and diarrhoea can all be treated using B. aristata extracts and formulations. In order to provide insights into the development of possibly novel bioactives from plant scaffolds, this review attempts to emphasise the pharmacognostic and pharmacological uses of B. aristata. The geographic origins and taxonomy of Berberis aristata will also be highlighted in this review. The plant’s fruit is high in vitamin C and edible. This plant produces a very valuable ayurvedic concoction called Rashut, which is used as a laxative, tonic, and blood purifier to treat human ailments such ulcers and ocular diseases. According to phytochemical analyses, the plant B. aristata mostly includes tannins, sugar, starch, and the yellow-colored alkaloids berberine, oxyberberine, berbamine, aromoline, palmatine, oxycanthine, and taxilamine, as well as a protoberberine alkaloid karachine. The plant exhibits a potential future for additional research and has an effective medicinal function.