title: Phytochemistry and pharmacology of berberis species.
abstract: The genus Berberis (Berberidaceae) includes about 500 species worldwide, some of which are widely cultivated in the north-eastern regions of Iran. This genus consists of spiny deciduous evergreen shrubs, characterized by yellow wood and flowers. The cultivation of seedless barberry in South Khorasan goes back to two hundred years ago. Medicinal properties for all parts of these plants have been reported, including: Antimicrobial, antiemetic, antipyretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-arrhythmic, sedative, anti-cholinergic, cholagogic, anti-leishmaniasis, and anti-malaria. The main compounds found in various species of Berberis, are berberine and berbamine. Phytochemical analysis of various species of this genus revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenolic compounds, sterols and triterpenes. Although there are some review articles on Berberis vulgaris (as the most applied species), there is no review on the phytochemical and pharmacological activities of other well-known species of the genus Berberis. For this reason, the present review mainly focused on the diverse secondary metabolites of various species of this genus and the considerable pharmacological and biological activities together with a concise story of the botany and cultivation.
authors.affiliation: Medicinal Plants Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P. O. Box 14155 - 6451, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Najmeh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mokhber-Dezfuli
authors.affiliation: Medicinal Plants Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P. O. Box 14155 - 6451, Tehran, Iran ; Division of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: Soodabeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saeidnia
authors.affiliation: Medicinal Plants Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P. O. Box 14155 - 6451, Tehran, Iran ; Division of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: Ahmad Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gohari
authors.affiliation: Medicinal Plants Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P. O. Box 14155 - 6451, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahdieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurepaz-Mahmoodabadi
keywords: Berberis; pharmacological effects; phytochemistry; zereshk