PHYTO-PHARMACOLOGY OF BERBERIS ARISTATA DC: A REVIEV

Plants have been the basis of many traditional medicines throughout the world for thousands of years and continue to provide new remedies to mankind. Plants are one of the richest sources of compounds. Berberis aristata is one of the plants used in Ayurveda for several remedies. Berberis aristata commonly known as ―Daru haldhi and Chitra‖ is spinous herb native to northern Himalaya region. The plant is widely distributed from Himalayas to Srilanka, Bhutan and hilly areas of Nepal. Berberis aristata is used in ayurvedic medicines from very long time. It is used as a tonic, alternative, demulscent, diaphoretic, and diuretic, in the treatment of diarrhoea, jaundice and skin diseases, syphilis, chronic rheumatism and urinary disorders. Scientific evidence suggests its versatile biological functions that support its traditional use in the orient. Phytochemical studies shows that plant Berberis aristata contains mainly yellow colored alkaloids Berberine, oxyberberine, berbamine, aromoline, a protoberberine alkaloid karachine, palmatine, oxycanthine and taxilamine and tannins, sugar, starch. The plant has effective pharmacological action and shows promising future for further researches. This review aims to highlight the ethnobotany, pharmacognostic and pharmacological uses of Berberis aristata