INTRODUCTION:

The Plant Berberis aristata DC. belongs to family Berberidaceae, known as Indian barberry in English and Daruhaldi in Hindi. It is an erect spinous shrub, often found in small patches on the hilly slopes. This shrub is found growing wild in the sub- Himalayan tract at altitude ranging from 1800-3000 meters. It also grows in the Nilgiri hills in South India and in Ceylon.[1]

A large deciduous shrub usually 1.8-3.6 m high. The stem 4.5 m height and 20 cm diameter, nearly cylindrical, surface rough. Twing whitish or pale yellowish brown, Bark pale brown, closely and rather deeply furrowed, rough, blaze 5-7.5 mm bright yellow with coarse reticulate fibre. Leaves on long shoots, 3.8-10 cm long, 1.5-3.3 wide, obovate or elliptic, simple or either entire or with spinous toothed margin, base gradually narrowed, with prominent reticulate nerves, glossy dark green above, glossy pale green below but not glaucous beneath petiole or distinct up 4 mm. Inflorescence a simple drooping racemes of 20 on single flower-head, they are yellow orange 2.5-7.5 mm long, pedicle stout, 4-6 mm long. The fruits are small berry 7-10 mm long, ovoid, blue-black thick pale bloom in colour.[2]

The plant contains isoquinoline alkaloids Berberine as major bioactive constituents. Other alkaloids berbamine, aromolina, karachine, oxyberberine, oxyacnthine and toxilamine. It also contain flavonoids and other polyphenols such as quercetin and rutin.[3]

The Berberis aristata DC extract is called ‘Rasaut’, used as alternative and deobstruent and are used in skin diseases, menorrhagia, diarrhoea, jaundice and all affections of eyes. In bleeding piles it is administered with butter. Its ointment made with camphor and butter and applied pimples and boiles. The decoction of root bark is used as a wash for unhealthy ulcers, also in malarial fever.[4]

The stem is used for diaphoretic, laxative and useful in rheumatism. The stem of Berberis aristata DC have been used in ethno medicine and in many Ayurvedic preparation for several medicinal properties alternative, antibacterial, antidiarrhoeal, ophthalmic, antidiabetic, eye, ear, oral cavity and in skin diseases.[5]

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The morphological studies were carried out for shape, size, colour, odour, taste and fracture of the Berberis aristata leaves

Microscopic studies and powder analysis

The transverse section of leaf and stem were prepared by standard method. Slides of powdered leaf material were also prepared and studied. Microphotography on different magnifications was carried out with motic microscopic unit.[6]

Quantitative microscopy

Leaf constants such as stomatal index, stomata number, vein islet, vein termination and palisade ratio of the drug were determined according to the method described

Physicochemical Standardization

The various physico-chemical values of leaves such as ash value, extractive values, loss on drying, were determined according to the Pharmacopoeial method.

Fluorescence Analysis

The fluorescence nature of powder drug was analyzed and the observations with different chemicals were also carried out and recorded.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Macroscopical evaluation

The leaves were subjected to macroscopical examination and observations were recorded. The proper examination of the leaves was carried out under sun light and artificial source similar to day light. The leaves are attenuate, trifoliate, occasionally digitally five foliate with crenate margin, acuminate apex and long petiolate. Surface smooth and shiny, taste bitter, and green in colours.

Microscopical evaluation

The slides of T.S of different parts of plant were prepared and subjected to microscopical examination. The histology of different parts of plant was examined and the observations were recorded. The leaves showed groups of fibres with calcium oxalate crystals and also exhibit outer and inner epidermis with round to oval cells, covered with striated cuticle. A multilayered strip of collenchymas (3-4 layered) appear above the lower epidermis and below the upper epidermis, midrib compose of xylem and phloem arranged in an arc. Calcium oxalate crystals were numerous and mainly of cluster crystal type. It contains numerous covering trichomes scattered in the powder. Some xylem vessels (pitted vessels) were also visible which were lignified. Cells of palisade and spongy parenchyma were also visible. (Fig 1)

Quantitative Microscopy

The slides of surface preparation of leaf were prepared and subjected to quantitative microscopic examination. The parameters such as vein termination, vein islet and stomatal numbers, stomatal index and palisade ratio of the leaf were observed and recorded.

Fluorescence Analysis

The air dried plant materials were subjected to different chemicals and lights and were observed under visible and UV light.

TABLES

a) Percentage of loss on drying and ash values

S.NO	PARAMETERS	PERCENTAGE
1	Loss on drying	6.975
2	Total ash	12.92
3	Acid insoluble ash	4.67

b) Quantitative Microscopy of leaf

Stomatal number

Stomatal index

Vein termination

Vein islet

Palisade ratio

c) Fluorescence behavior of crude powdered drug

S.NO	REAGENTS	DAY LIGHT	SHORT UV	LONG UV
1	Powder as such	Yellowish brown	Light green	Green
2	Powder ₊water	Yellowish brown	Light green	Yellow
3	Powder + 1N NaOH in water	Brown	Green	Green
4	Powder + HNO₃	yellow	Green	Brown
5	Powder + H₂SO₄	Black	Black	---------
6	Powder + HCl	yellow	Green	Brown
7	Powder + 10%HCl	Yellow	Green	Dark Brown
8	Powder + 10%H₂SO₄	Yellow	Green	Brown
9	Powder + ammonia	Brown	Green	Brown
10	Powder + Glacial acetic acid	Yellowish Brown	Light Green	Yellow
11	Powder +Picric acid	Yellow	Green	Brown
12	Powder + Petroleum ether	Yellow	Green	Yellow
13	Powder + 1N NaOH in Alcohol	Brown	Green	Brownish Green

d) Phytochemical Tests

SNO	CONSTITUENTS	AQUEOUS EXTRACT	ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT
1	Carbohydrate	+	+
2	Alkaloid	+	+
3	Glycoside	-	-
4	Tannin	+	+
5	Flavanoid	-	-
6	Volatile Oil	-	-

FIGURE 1

T.S of stem

T.S of Cork Cells

T.S of Fibre

Figure 2 : TLC of Berberis aristata

Std Spl

SAMPLE – Methanolic extract

OBSERVED Rf – 0.5,0.62,0.73

STANDARD – Berberine

OBSERVED R_f OF STANDARD – 0.73

SOLVENT SYSTEM - n Propanol: Formic acid: Water (90 :10 : 5)

VISUALIZING AGENT – Iodine vapors

CONCLUSION:

The results obtained in the present investigation are encouraging and will be used as reference data for the standardization of Berberis aristata and the formulations containing Berberis aristata as a main ingredient. Standardization is the prime need of time because standardization establishes quality and identify profile that can be used for the purpose of safety monitoring and overall quality assurance of herbal medicines. Moreover, Indian herbal products are exported and marketed in various developed countries of the world under the name of food supplement not the drugs due to quality and safety point of view. There is an urgent need for evaluation and analysis of herbal drugs using sophisticated modern techniques of standardization.

REFERENCES:

1 Anonymous. The Wealth of India, Raw Materials. New Delhi: Publication and Information Directorate, CSIR, p.114-18; 1998.

2 Kirtikar KR and Basu BD. Indian Medicinal Plants. Vol. I, 2nd ed. Dehradun International Book Distributors, p. 102-103; 1984.

3 Ahmed Javed , Mir Showkat R, Naquvi Kamran J., Development of quality standards of Berberis aristata stem bark ; IRJP ,2012, 3(2) : 184 – 187.

4 Chakravarti K. K., Dhar D. C., Siddhiqui S., Alkaloidal constituents of bark of Berberis aristata DC. (Raddaut), Journal of Sci. Ind. Res. v.9 (B),1950, 161-163.

5 Nadkarni AK.. Indian Materia Medica. Popular Book Depot. Bombay, India. (1954), 133, 21-22.

6 Quality Control Methods of Medicinal Plant Materials. Geneva: World Health Organization (WHO). 1998.

7 Harborne JB. Phytochemical Methods. London: Chapman and Hall, p. 70; 1973.

8 Wagner H, Bladt S. Plant Drug Analysis: A Thin Layer Chromatograph Atlas. 2nd ed. Berlin: Springer Publication,2004; 350-354.

9 Bhattacharjee AK, Das AK (1969). Phytochemical screening of Indian plants. Quart. J. Crude Drug Res. 9:1408-1412.

Received on 28.06.2012 Accepted on 25.07.2012

Asian J. Pharm. Ana. 2(3): July-Sept. 2012; Page 81-84