Berberis aristata

Berberis aristata, commonly known as Indian Barberry or Daruharidra, is a perennial shrub native to the Himalayas. Renowned in Ayurvedic medicine, its bright yellow stems and roots contain berberine, a potent alkaloid. This medicinal plant is widely utilized for its powerful antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and blood-purifying therapeutic properties.

  • Scientific name: Berberis aristata
  • Family: Berberidaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ranunculales, it is classified under the family Berberidaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Berberis.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Ranunculales WCVP
Family Berberidaceae WCVP
Genus Berberis WCVP

Common Names

This plant, scientifically known as Berberis aristata, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Punjabi, it is commonly referred to as سملو (samlu), while in Telugu, it is known as పసుపుమణిచెట్టు (pasupumanichetu). In Marathi, it is called दारुहळद (dāruhaḷada), and in Malayalam, it is identified as ചെറുമരുന്ന് (cerumarunnu). Additionally, in German-speaking regions, it is known as Begrannte Berberitze.
Language Common Name Source
pnb سملو Wikidata
te పసుపుమణిచెట్టు Wikidata
de Begrannte Berberitze Wikidata
mr दारुहळद Wikidata
ml ചെറുമരുന്ന് Wikidata
hi बेर्बेरीस अरिस्टटा Wikidata
kn ಬೇರ್ಬೇರಿಸ್ ಅರಿಸ್ಟಾಟ Wikidata
sa बेर्बेरीस अरिस्टटा Wikidata
ta மரமஞ்சள் Wikidata
fa زرشک هندی Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions in Asia. In China, its presence is specifically noted within the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Moving to the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found throughout the diverse landscapes of India and Assam. The species also thrives in the rugged terrain of the East Himalaya. Furthermore, its geographical range extends significantly into the mountainous regions of Nepal.

Region Area Source
China Tibet WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Nepal WCVP
Indian Subcontinent West Himalaya WCVP
Indo-China Myanmar WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Berberis aristata, utilizes various components for medicinal purposes, most notably its bark and roots. The root system is frequently harvested to extract berberine, a potent alkaloid used in traditional medicine. Additionally, the green leaf serves as a source of therapeutic compounds, while the bright, edible fruits are also recognized for their nutritional and healing properties. Each fruit contains concentrated bioactive substances that contribute to the overall medicinal value of the species.
Total parts
5
Scientific sources
7
Plant Part Sources Confidence
roots 3 ★★☆☆☆
root 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruits 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruit 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Berberis aristata has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Berberine, berberine, jatrorrhizine, berbamine, chlorogenic acid.

Total chemicals
12
Scientific sources
20

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
Berberine 6 ★★★☆☆
berberine 3 ★★☆☆☆
jatrorrhizine 2 ★☆☆☆☆
berbamine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chlorogenic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chromium 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ketoberberine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pakistanamine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
palmatine 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Berberis aristata has 13 reported activities identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antihypertensive.

Total activities
13
Scientific sources
17

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antihypertensive 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiparasitic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiperiodic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Berberis aristata has 34 reported medicinal uses identified across 46 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include jaundice, cancer, wound healing, fever, heart.

Total uses
34
Scientific sources
46

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
jaundice 4 ★★☆☆☆
cancer 3 ★★☆☆☆
wound healing 3 ★★☆☆☆
fever 2 ★☆☆☆☆
heart 2 ★☆☆☆☆
liver 2 ★☆☆☆☆
malaria 2 ★☆☆☆☆
rheumatoid arthritis 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Entamoeba histoLYtica 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aging 1 ★☆☆☆☆