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

Abstract

By using HPLC/UV-VIS, Croatian barberry (Berberis croatica Horvat) was found to be a new source of the bioactive alkaloid berberine. Comparison of berberine content in roots, leaves, and twigs between wild specimens of B. croatica and B. vulgaris collected in Croatia showed that the roots of both species contained the highest berberine content (B. croatica 1.120-1.217%; B. vulgaris 0.805-1.424%), followed by twigs (B. croatica 0.049-0.216%; B. vulgaris 0.077-0.112%). While the berberine content in the leaves of both species was very low (between 0.002% and 0.044%), they were found to be rich in phenols and flavonols. The Student's t-test showed a significant difference at P \ 0.05 for phenol and flavonol content in the plant organs, both between species and within species. Leaf samples were most variable, while root samples were the least. Extracts from the roots of both barberry species expressed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis NCTC 8236, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Escherichia coli ATCC 10535, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts was species-dependent. Root extracts of both species also showed lower MIC values than other extracts (MIC B 87.5 mg/ml).

Évaluation de l’activité antioxydante de Berberis vulgaris L.

“…Sa richesse en métabolites secondaires et plus spécifiquement en alcaloïdes isoquinoléiniques lui confère plusieurs effets biologiques dont les activités antidiabéti-ques, anti-inflammatoires et antimicrobiennes [10][11][12].…”

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).…”

Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Berberis Species

“…[8910] Sometimes it has been used as a tea made from the bark of the plant. [7] Besides nutritional consumption, various parts of this plant including roots, bark, leaves and fruits have been employed in folk and traditional medicine for a long time in Iran.…”