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Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Berberis vulgaris and its active constituent, berberine
Author(s) -
Imanshahidi Mohsen,
Hosseinzadeh Hossein
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.2399
Subject(s) - berberine , berberidaceae , palmatine , isoquinoline , berberis , traditional medicine , bark (sound) , pharmacognosy , alkaloid , benzylisoquinoline , botany , chemistry , biology , biological activity , pharmacology , medicine , stereochemistry , biochemistry , ecology , in vitro , enzyme , biosynthesis
Barberry ( Berberis vulgaris L. family Berberidaceae) is well known in Iran and various parts of this plant including its root, bark, leaf and fruit have been used as folk medicine. The two decades of research has demonstrated different pharmacological and therapeutic effects of B. vulgaris and its isoquinoline alkaloids (particularly berberine). Studies carried out on the chemical composition of the plant show that the most important constituents of this plant are isoquinoline alkaloids such as berberine, berbamine and palmatine. Berberine represents one of the most studied among the naturally occurring protoberberine alkaloids. In addition to B. vulgaris (barberry), berberine is present in many other plants and is used for the treatment of different diseases. This article reviews the traditional uses and pharmacological effects of total extract and the most active ingredient of B. vulgaris (berberine). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.