A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON BERGENIA LIGULATA (PAASHANBHEDA) AND ITS ROLE IN THE TREATMENT OF KIDNEY STONE FORMATION

Abstract

Bergenia ligulata, a member of the saxifragaceae family, is a well-known Ayurvedic medicine Paashanbheda. Bergenia ligulata is a highly regarded medicinal herb and one of the most well-known examples of controversial drugs in Indian medicine, commonly referred to as "Paashanbheda." This plant is well-known for its ability to dissolve kidney stones. Bergenia comes in three varieties: B. ligulata, B. ciliata and B. stracheyi. Bergenin is the species' key chemical constituent. Many secondary metabolites belonging to coumarins, flavonoids, benzenoids, lactone, fructose, tannins, phenols, and sterols have been discovered in phytochemical studies. Anti-urolithic, antiviral, free radical scavenging, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, diuretic, antipyretic, anti-oxaluria, antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-implantation and cardio-protective activities have been observed in crude extracts and isolated compounds from B. ligulata. Bergenin, (+) afzelechin, (+) catechin and -sitosterol were discovered in the plant's phytochemistry. Many pharmacological activities of plants have been studied, including antipyretic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, antiurolithic and antimalarial. The aim of this review is to present the most current knowledge on botany, Pharmacognosy, conventional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacopoeial requirements, pharmacology of B. ligulata, as well as the biological activities of Bergenin (active constituent from Bergenia ligulata). It covers the information collected from scientific journals, books, theses and reports via a library and electronic search (Google Scholar and PubMed).