Berberis vulgaris
Common barberry
Berberis vulgaris, commonly known as barberry, is a deciduous shrub prized for its medicinal properties. Rich in the alkaloid berberine, this plant offers potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits. Historically used to support digestive health and metabolic function, its tart berries and roots remain staples in traditional herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Berberis vulgaris
- Family: Berberidaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales, it is further categorized into the family Berberidaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific 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, known scientifically as Berberis vulgaris, is referred to by various common names across different languages and regions. In French, it is called Épine-vinette, while in Polish, it is known as berberys pospolity. In Belarusian, the plant is named Барбарыс звычайны, and in Walloon, it is called Bwès Sint-Djuråd. Additionally, in the Vec language, it is referred to as Grendene.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| vec | Grendene | Wikidata |
| pl | berberys pospolity | Wikidata |
| wa | Bwès Sint-Djuråd | Wikidata |
| be | Барбарыс звычайны | Wikidata |
| fr | Épine-vinette | Wikidata |
| hu | sóskaborbolya | Wikidata |
| lv | Parastā bārbele | Wikidata |
| et | harilik kukerpuu | Wikidata |
| de | Berberitze | Wikidata |
| hsb | Wšědna kisyca | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Berberis vulgaris, is widely distributed across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally throughout the landscapes of Denmark. Additionally, this medicinal species is present within the territories of Finland and Norway. The plant also establishes itself across the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Consequently, its geographical range covers a significant portion of the northernmost European continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as Berberis vulgaris, contains various therapeutic components distributed throughout its structure. The woody stem provides the necessary framework for the shrub, while the serrated leaves are often used in traditional preparations. Specifically, the leaf and the leaves of the plant contain alkaloids like berberine, which are central to its medicinal properties. Furthermore, the most potent medicinal compounds are frequently concentrated in the root, making the extraction of the entire roots essential for many pharmacological applications.- Total parts
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 23
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stem | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| medicinal plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Berberis vulgaris has 41 reported phytochemicals identified across 63 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Berberine, flavonoids, berberine, berbamine, berbine.
- Total chemicals
- 41
- Scientific sources
- 63
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Berberine | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| berberine | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| berbamine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| berbine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| citric acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| jatrorrhizine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| magnoflorine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Berberis vulgaris has 28 reported activities identified across 44 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidepressant.
- Total activities
- 28
- Scientific sources
- 44
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Berberis vulgaris has 52 reported medicinal uses identified across 63 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, oxidative stress, Alzheimer's disease, antioxidant, gastric ulcer.
- Total uses
- 52
- Scientific sources
- 63
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric ulcer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypoglycemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| metabolic syndrome | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cholera | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |