Spectral studies and pharmacological relevance of berberine isolated from Berberis aristata roots

Berberis aristata DC., commonly known as Indian barberry or Daruharidra, belongs to the Berberidaceae family. The plant root is well-known Ayurvedic medicine for diabetes, eye problems, skin disorders, and urinary tract diseases. The plant contains a variety of alkaloids including berberine, oxyberberine, berbamine, aromoline, karachine, palmatine, oxycanthine and taxilamine. The plant is reported to have hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anticancer and antiplatelet activities in different experimental models. In the present study, berberine was isolated in the form of its chloride salt from the roots of B. aristata. The molecule was characterised by a detailed spectral analysis including two-dimensional NMR studies. The molecule was also reviewed for its pharmacological relevance together with the possible mode of action.