Therapeutic Potential and Traditional Values of Frequently used medicinal plant Berberis aristata DC. (Rasaut): A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Berberis aristata DC. (Rasaut) is a frequently used herbal drug in Unani and other traditional system of medicine. It is an erect spinous and deciduous evergreen shrub belonging to the family Berberidaceae. It contains mainly berberine alkaloids which is well known for isoquinoline, that is commonly used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and also used as an antibiotic agent. In Unani System of Medicine (USM) it is externally used in hot temperament inflammations, Otorrhea, pharyngitis, conjunctivitis and many of eye diseases viz Stye, Blepharitis, Epiphora, eyes itching etc. while internally used in bleeding piles, intestinal ulcers, various skin diseases alone and with other blood purifier drugs, ophthalmia, melasma, paronychia, hemorrhage, herpes, eczema, hemoptysis, splenomegaly, diarrhea, malaria, intestinal ulcers, diphtheria, dysentery, chronic leucorrhea, pruritus ani, anal fissures, menorrhagia and jaundice. Different type of active phytoconstituents have also been evaluated from Rasaut which includes alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, saponins, steroids, E-caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, carbohydrate, volatile oils, fixed oils and fats. The present work is based on search available about review and analysis of related articles published in various reputed journals using the phrases “Rasaut or Berberis aristata”, “Rasaut and Unani Medicine” “Rasaut research paper”, and “Rasaut used in traditional medicine” in electronic searches of the Google Scholar advanced search, PubMed, Scopus, ResearchGate, Web of Science and AYUSH Research Portal etc.In this review, it is tried to compiled all the available information till date from both Unani and other published scientific papers and textbooks regarding the therapeutic properties, pharmacological activities and traditional values of Berberis aristata, which will be fruitful for researchers to design further in vitro and in vivo scientific studies to explore the more medicinal values along with biomolecules of Berberis aristata DC.