Pharmacognostic evaluation of the root of Berberis asiatica

Berberis asiatica Roxb. ex. DC. (Berberidaceae) is a very common substitute to Daruharidra, that is, B. aristata DC., which is used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Being an important medicinal plant, it is used extensively for treating a variety of ailments, that is, affection of eyes, skin disease, jaundice, and rheumatism. The current study was therefore carried out to provide requisite pharmacognostic details. Morphological, anatomical, and phytochemical aspects were carried out to identify the diagnostic features of B. asiatica root. Some of the diagnostic features of the root drug noted from the anatomical study are patches of pericyclic fiber, pitted sclerieds, and berberine-containing cells and heterocyclic medullary rays. Physicochemical studies revealed the presence of total ash 2.650%; acid insoluble ash 0.266%; alcohol soluble extractive 11.833%; water soluble extractive 15.333%; tannins 1.723%; sugar 0.332%; starch 16.444%; and alkaloidal content (berberine) 2.4%. A comparative high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis with B. aristata showed a similar profile. Berberine was identified as the major constituent, with a slightly lower percentage (2.4%) in the former. The R-f value of other bands was also calculated.