REVIEW ON HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF BERBERIS ARISTATA DC.

Abstract

Berberis Aristata DC. belonging to the family Berberidaceae, is a shrub used in the alternative medical sys-tems that is native to Northern Himalaya region, Nepal, India and Pakistan. It is commonly known as "Da-ruharidra and Chitra". Berberis aristata DC. is used in Ayurvedic Medicinal system from the beginning of this System. It is widely used as a hepatoproctive, tonic, in urinary disorders, skin diseases, diaphoretic, diuretics and treatment of diarrhoea, Jaundice, Syphilis. Natural source of Berberine is Daruharidra which reduces the inflammation of hepatocytes in liver. The study was aimed to analyze its' hepatoprotective ef-fect on the basis of Modern scientific evidence and Classical Ayurveda references. Ayurvedic literature de-scribes Daruharidra plant is mainly used in Kamala, Prameha, Kustha, Netra Roga, Vrana. Keywords: Berberis Aristata DC., Daruharidra, Hepatoprotective, Jaundice, Anaemia, Liver diseases, Hepa-totoxicity, Hepatitis.