Investigating functional properties of barberry species: an overview

Abstract

The introduction of new crops and the development of the use of wild plants creates the potential to diversify global food production and better enable local adaptation to the diverse and changing environments that humans inhabit. Barberry is widely distributed worldwide and is recognized as a valuable plant. In this review, we summarize the functional compounds and nutraceutical features of barberry species. Barberry plants have fruits, flowers, leaves, stems and roots. All of these parts contain very important compounds, such as anthocyanins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, vitamins and minerals, etc., which have been used for many years in traditional medicine. These compounds have a strong impact on human health and can be used as a painkiller, as well as for the relief of fever, diarrhea and vomiting. They are also useful for curing liver and vascular problems and preventing many diseases. One of the most important functional compounds in the barberry plant is berberine, which exists in its different parts. Studies have shown that berberine in barberry reduces cholesterol and blood glucose. It can help to prevent Alzheimer's and neoplastic diseases. Furthermore, it has antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties. According to the investigations, barberry plant derivations can be considered as useful additives and functional compounds in various industries, especially in the food industry. Ascorbic acid 149.2 mg g −1 Antioxidant activity 71.15% J Sci Food Agric 2019; 99: 5255-5269 CONCLUSIONS Barberry is a native plant in the moderate and semitropical regions, and has different types, including seeded and seedless. Previous J Sci Food Agric 2019; 99: 5255-5269

Effects of different forms of barberry root (Berberis vulgaris) on growth performance, muscle fatty acids profile, whole‐body composition, and digestive enzymes of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

“…Accordingly, the use of some additives to stimulate digestive enzymes, such as barberry root, may improve digestibility and fish growth over time. Barberry plant roots contain alkaloids, organic acids, phenolic compounds, and enzyme glucosidase and are rich in vitamin C (Imenshahidi & Hosseinzadeh, 2019; Sarraf, Beig‐babaei, & Naji‐Tabasi, 2019). Barberry root and the extract of the whole plant have antibiotic and antiparasitic effects and result in reinforcing the stomach lining and advancing the treatment of anorexia in humans (Imenshahidi & Hosseinzadeh, 2019; Sarraf et al, 2019).…”

Effect of barberry (Berberis vulgaris) consumption on blood pressure, plasma lipids, and inflammation in patients with hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

“…Barberry may be useful as a functional food product for the management of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and chronic inflammation in humans, to help prevent CVD. According to a recent review, barberry has been claimed to have potential cardioprotective effects [27].. Basic animal studies have been focused on the extract forms of barberry.…”

Banishing barberry: The history of Berberis vulgaris prevalence and wheat stem rust incidence across Britain

“…In addition to this, barberry was considered to have a range of medicinal uses, and, even today, the berries, leaves, stem, and roots from various species are still used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat an array of ailments (Sarraf et al, 2019). Thus, Parkinson described how "The berries are preserved and conserved to give to sicke bodies, to help to coole any heate in the stomach or mouth, and quicken the appetite" (Parkinson, 1629, unpaginated).…”