Pharmacognostic Evaluation of the Root of Berberis aristata DC.

Berberis aristata (family Berberidaceae), known as 'Daruharidra' in Ayurvedic system of medicine, is an important medicinal plant used extensively for treating a variety of ailments in various systems of indigenous medicine. Being an important medicinal plant it is being adulterated and in the absence of any pharmacognostic information it is very difficult to check the adulteration. The present study was therefore, carried out to provide the requisite pharmacognostic details. Morphological, anatomical and phytochemical aspects of B. aristata were carried out. Diagnostic features of B. aristata root were identified and characterized from the above investigations and presented in the present communication. Some of the diagnostic features of the root drug noted from the anatomical study are patches of pericyclic fibre, pitted sclerieds, berberine containing cells and heterocyclic medullary rays. HPTLC analysis showed three distinct bands of which berberine was identified as the major constituents. The $R_f$. value of other bands was also calculated.