Botanical and phytochemical studies on roots of Berberis umbellata Wall. ex G. Don

摘要

Berberis umbellata Wall. ex G. Don (Family—Berberidaceae) commonly known as Himalayan Barberry is an important medicinal plant used in Ayurvedic System of Medicine for treating eye disorders, fever, jaundice, skin diseases, etc. The present study provides macro- and microscopical characters, physico-chemical details such as total ash, acid-insoluble ash, hexane, alcohol and water soluble extractive, tannins, sugar and starch percentages. The percentage of berberine as berberine chloride was calculated through HPTLC densitometric method is 3.05%. Study has been undertaken to develop pharmacopoeial standards for B. umbellata , this will be utilized by researchers for exploring the possibility as a substitute to B. aristata DC., an official species in the name of Daruharidra reported in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India for herbal drug industry.