Leung's Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

methyl ether), bervulcine, and magnoflorine;^1
those in B. aquifolium include aromoline,
obamegine, oxyberberine, berbamine, and
oxyacanthine.^2
Berberine and other Berberis alkaloids
were reported to be toxic to seedlings of dog
rose and horse chestnut, causing atrophy.^3

PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES

The total ethanol extract of the root of
B.vulgarisadministered i.p. inhibited acute
inflammation in rats more potently than
berberine, oxyacanthine, or three alkaloidal
fractions of the roots. It was also more potent
at inhibiting chronic inflammation in a model
ofadjuvantarthritisinrats.^4 Anaqueousextract
of the fruits ofB. vulgarisexhibitedin vitro
anticholinergic and antihistaminergic activity.^5
CertainBerberisalkaloidal salts, particu-
larly berberine, oxyacanthine, and columba-
mine, have bactericidal activities.6,7In one
study, berberine chloride showed higher ac-
tivity than chloramphenicol againstStaphylo-
coccus epidermidis, Neisseria meningitidis,
Escherichia coli, and other bacteria. Oxya-
canthine chloride at 0.01% and columbamine
chloride at 1.0% killedBacillus subtilisand
Colpidium colpoda.^7
Some reports have stated berberine sulfate
to be amebicidal, and trypanocidal and
berbamine, isotetrandine, and hydroxya-
canthine to have hypotensive properties
(GLASBY1;MARTINDALE).^8
Berberine has antifibrillatory activity, ele-
vating the ventricular fibrillation threshold to
electrical stimulation in anesthetized cats.^9
Berberine also has anticonvulsant, sedative,
uterine stimulant, and numerous other activi-
ties (seegoldenseal).
A fraction of a root extract ofB. vulgaris
containing 80% berbamine and three uniden-
tified isoquinoline alkaloids has shown spas-
molytic effects on smooth muscles.^10
A study of berbamine in mice infected with
influenza viruses yielded results that indicate
it to be an immunostimulating agent.^11 It also

exhibits various cardiovascular effects, in-

cluding hypotensive and antiarrhythmic.^12

USES

Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.

Berberis is used as an ingredient in certain

tonic preparations. Berberine salts have been

used in ophthalmic products, usually in eye

drops and eyewashes.

Dietary Supplements/Health Foods. Crude

root, cut and sifted and powdered used in

capsules, teas, and other products, primarily

as a bitter tonic (FOSTER AND DUKE).

Traditional Medicine. In Bulgaria, the stem

bark and roots ofB. vulgarisare used to treat

arthritis and chronic inflammatory conditions

of the kidneys, liver, and gallbaldder.^4 In

Europe and the United States, Berberisis

reportedly used as a bitter tonic, antipyretic,

and antihemorrhagic, usually referring toB.

vulgaris. In China, variousBerberisspecies

are also used for similar purposes;B. vulgaris

is listed as a related drug, sometimes used as

an adulterant, to Dichroa febrifuga Lour.,

which is widely used in China for its antima-

larial and antipyretic activities (NANJING).

COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONS

Barberry (B. vulgaris) is available in crude and

extract form. Qualities of extracts may vary

because the only standards for potency are

strengths (seeglossary) based on a weight-to-

weight ratio of extract to crude drug. Crude

was formerly official in U.S.P.

Regulatory Status. Root ofB. vulgarisis the

subject of a German therapeutic monograph in

which the uses for the claimed therapeutic

applications are not recommended owing to

lack of documented benefits; such applica-

tions including the use of the bark, root bark

or fruits for gastrointestinal, kidney, liver,

urinary tract, circulatory, spleen, bronchial,

and other organ functions (BLUMENTHAL1).

Barberry 73