Activity of Berberis aetnensis root extracts on Candida strains

Redox regulation in health and disease — Therapeutic potential of berberine

“…These berberine rich portions have been applied for centuries in traditional Chinese, Ayurvedic and Native American medicines. Berberine containing plants were commonly used for the treatment of diarrhea and microbial infection, properties which may be a direct consequence of berberine's strong antimicrobial effects (Iauk et al, 2007;Kosalec et al, 2009;Villinski et al, 2003). Roots of Hydrastis canadensis L (family: Ranunculaceae), also known as "goldenseal", were applied by Native Americans as a powerful antiinflammatory agent to heal wounds and treat diarrhea (McCaleb, Leigh, & Morien, 1999).…”

Antihypertensive Activity of Aqueous-Methanol Extract of <i>Berberis Orthobotrys</i> Bien Ex Aitch in Rats

“…Berberis species also contain certain active compounds that have been reported to have strong antihypertensive effects [7,8,9. Berberis orthobotrys (Family: Berberidaceae) is a plant indigenous to Pakistan, that is found mostly in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan where local peoples commonly use this for the treatment of hypertension.…”

Croatian barberry (Berberis croatica Horvat): a new source of berberine—analysis and antimicrobial activity

“…Lower MIC values of B. croatica root extracts against the yeast C. albicans than against Gram-positive (B. subtilis and S. aureus) and Gram-negative (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) bacterial species suggest that berberine is a potent, natural, antifungal compound. Iuak et al (2007) found that berberine chloride has potent antifungal activity against C. albicans, C. krusei and C. parapsilosis species, with MIC values lower that 128 mg/l. When the antifungal activity of berberine was compared with other alkaloids presented in Berberis extracts, such as berbamine and hydrastine, Iuak et al (2007) concluded that berberine was the most potent among the alkaloids present in the methanolic root extract of Berberis aetnensis (C.…”

“…Among several alkaloids of Berberis species, berberine, an isoquinolone alkaloid, is considered to be responsible for most of the biological activity and thus is the most studied. Berberine displays many pharmacological effects, including antibacterial (Pepeljnjak and Petričić 1992; Yi et al 2007) and antifungal effects (Iuak et al 2007). It lowers blood-glucose concentrations in healthy and diabetic persons, and improves insulin secretion in healthy persons (Schmandke 2007).…”