Berberine: Alkaloid with wide spectrum of pharmacological activities

Abstract

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid, present in roots and stem-bark of Berberis species. Berberine based formulations, are widely used in traditional systems of medicine including, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Berberine has demonstrated wide range of pharmacological activities including; antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidepressant, anticancer, anti-diarrhoeal, cholagouge, hepatoprotective and above all, antimicrobial. Recent studies, have thrown light on antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of the alkaloid. Berberine has been tested clinically in the treatment of oriental sore, diarrhea, trachoma diabetes mellitus type-2, hypercholesterolemia, and congestive cardiac failure. The present review, discusses preclinical and clinical investigations on berberine, with potential for drug-development.