Bergenia pacumbis (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) C.Y.Wu & J.T.Pan: A Comprehensive Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Abstract

The influence of medicinal plants on humanity spans time immemorial. These plants are also used at present with local and tribal peoples for the cures of various illnesses. Nature has produced an immense number of medicinal plants, which directly or indirectly help to treat various ailments and have numerous applications in the fields of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food flavors and preservatives, aromas, and cosmetics. Bergenia pacumbis (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) C.Y.Wu & J.T.Pan (synonym: Bergenia ligulate Engl.), is an important medicinal plant belonging to the Saxifragaceae family, and not to be confused with Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb., and is popularly known as Pashanbheda (meaning to dissolve the kidney stone). This plant is a rich source of secondary metabolites (SMs) such as coumarins, flavonoids, benzenoids, lactones, tannins, phenols, and sterols, which make this plant a highly valued medicinal herb with a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities such as anti-urolithic, antioxidant, anti-viral, free radical scavenging, antidiabetic, anti-hepatotoxic, diuretic, antipyretic, anti-oxaluria, anti-tumour, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective. This review summarizes traditional uses and offers up to date data for future research on B. pacumbis.

Clinical Potential of Himalayan Herb Bergenia ligulata: An Evidence-Based Study

“…A huge recovery in the interest and use of medicinal plants has been witnessed in the previous decade. For a considerably long time, the plants belonging to the genus Bergenia have received notable attention for their restorative properties against ailments and have been broadly utilized in traditional medicines in various regions, particularly in the Asian continent, including India, Pakistan and Nepal [ 20 ]. Rhizomes of the species belonging to the genus Bergenia have been used in folk medicine for their antiscorbutic, astringent, diuretic, antipyretic, and ophthalmic properties [ 21 ].…”

<i>In vitro</i> Micropropagation of <i>Bergenia ligulata</i> (Hook. f. & Thomson) Engl. through Leaf Explant

“…At present, approximately 152 volatile and non-volatile compounds are isolated from Bergenia genus which contained a wide range of bioactive compounds of therapeutic value [3]. The phytochemical analysis showed that the plant extract is a rich source of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, coumarins, phenol, flavonoids, benzenoids, tannin, saponins, lactones and terpenoids which make this plant a valuable medicinal herb with broad spectrum pharmacological activities like antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, diuretic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxaluria and antidiabetic activities [3,4]. Wild medicinal plants are harvested as a raw material for medicine, which is the main cause of genetic diversity loss and degradation of habitat.…”

Impact of Phylogenetically Diverse Bacterial Endophytes of Bergenia pacumbis on Bergenin Production in the Plant Cell Suspension Cultures

“…The plant grows up to a height of 30-35 cm and has a rhizomatous rootstock and glabrous leathery leaves that form a rosette. It flowers between April and June with white to pink petals [25]. The genus Bergenia comprises 32 species that are mainly distributed in Asia [26].…”