Berberis vulgaris. B. dumetorum   Common Barberry   Family: Berberidaceae      
PART USED: Bark of the root and/or of the stem. Also root and berries.
TASTE: Very bitter.
ACTIONS
GROUP: Hepatics and Cholagogues
1. Cholagogue.[1]
2. Anti-emetic.[1]
3. Anti-protozoal. Toxic to Leishmannia donovana- parasitic flagellate protozoate.[1] Antiseptic.[3]
4. Bitter tonic.
5. Spleen tonic- causing Splenic contractions.[1]
6. Antipyretic.[3]
7. Antihemorrhagic.[3]
8. Anti-inflammatory.[3]
INDICATIONS
1. Vomiting. Constipation. Dyspepsia. Bacillary dysentery.[3] Diarrhea.[3]
2. Liver disorders generally; Jaundiced conditions.[1] Cholecystitis.[1]
3. Skin conditions, eruptive disorders.
4. Syphilis. Gonorrhea
5. Intermittent fevers especially malaria, and leishmaniasis.[1]
6. Spleen remedy.
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Gall stones.[1]
CONTRAINDICATIONS - Barberry should not be taken during early pregnancy or in cases of diarrhea.[1,2]
COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS  3X /day
Dried Bark  1-2 g., or by decoction..  0.5-1.[3]
Fluid Extract  1:1 in 25% alcohol  2-3 ml.[1,2,3] 45% (MH).
Tincture 1:10 in 60% alcohol 2-4 ml.[1,2,3]
Local-   Lotion.


ORIGIN: Britain and Europe. Naturalized in North America.
DESCRIPTION: Barberry is a spiny shrub 2.5 m in height. Leaves; obovate. Flowers; pendulous yellow, in spring succeeded by oblong red berries.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research

The mechanism of its anti-diarrheal activity has been partialy investigated; berberine enters into the cytosol or binds to the cell membrane and inhibits the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase.[4] It is active in vitro and in animals against cholera.[5] Berberine has some anticonvulsant and uterine stimulant activity;[6] it stimulates bile secretion and has sedative and hypotensive effects in animals.[7]
In the Far East, berberine containing plants are specifically used for bacillary dystentery and diarrhea. Berberine is highly bactericidal,[1] amoebicidal[2,3] and trypanocidal.[2]
Berberine assists with dysentery by inhibiting the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase. It is also active in vitro and in animals against cholera. Berberine also has some anticonvulsant and uterine stimulant activity. It stimulated bile secretion and has sedative and hypotensive effects in animals.
    Berbamine is also highly bacterial, effecting Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus viridans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi.[8] It has been shown to increase white blood cell and platelet contains in animals with iatrogenic leukocytopaenia,[9] and has been used with some success to treat patients with leukopaenia due to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Berbamine is also used to treat essential hypotension.[10]
    Palmatine is hypotensive, a uterine stimulant, has anticholinesterase activity, and it effects the adrenal glands in animals.[10]
    Jatrorrhizine has a sedative effect in animals, is hypotensive, and antifungal.[10]
    Isotetrandrine is antubercular in animals and has significant anti-inflammatory action in vitro.
Oxycanthine and magnoflorine ad hypotensive.
    Many of the alkaloids, particularly berberine are antineoplastic in in vitro systems.[10]

References
1. Andronescu, E. et al. (1973) Clujul. Med. 46, 627
2. Naidovich, L. P. et al. (1976) Farmatsiya 24, 33
3. Subbaiah, T. V. and Amin, A. H. (1967) Nature 215, 527
4. Ubebaba, K. et al. (1984) Jpn. J. Pharmocol. 36 (Suppl.), 352
5. Martindale. The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 27th Ed. Pub. The Pharmaceutical Press (19770 UK
6. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, Albert Y. Leung. Pub. John Wiley & Sons Inc. (1980)
7. Preininger, V., in The Alkaloids Vol. 15 Ed. R H. F. Manske. Pub Academic Press (1975) UK
8. Lahiri, S. C. et al. (1958) Ann. Biochem. and Exp. Med. India 18, 95
9. Liu, C. X. et al. (1979) Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs Communications 9, 36.
10. Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Materia Medica Vol 1, Ed. H. Chan and P. But, Pub. World Scientific (1986) Singapore

Evaluation of the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Berberis vulgaris root on the activity of liver enzymes in male hypercholesterolemic rats.
Taheri S, Zarei A, Changizi Ashtiyani S, Rezaei A, Zaheiri S.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Hyperlipidemia can cause a variety of diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and fatty liver which is followed by increased liver enzymes. Since Berberis vulgaris (B. vulgaris) root possesses antioxidant properties, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of its extract on the activity of liver enzymes in rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
In this experimental study, sixty Wistar rats were selected and allocated to six groups of ten each. The control group received a normal diet and the sham group received a fatty diet while the other groups including experimental groups received a fatty diet and the alcoholic extract of B. vulgaris at minimum (75 mg/kg), moderate (150 mg/kg), and maximum (300 mg/kg) doses by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) or oral atorvastatin (10 mg /kg) with a fatty diet. At the end of this 21-day period, blood samples were drawn and the levels of the intended factors were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 11.5.
RESULTS:
The comparison of the obtained results showed that the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes in the sham group that only received fatty food increased (p=0.05), whereas in the treatment groups receiving B. vulgaris extract as well as in the group receiving Atorvastatin, these enzymes significantly decreased; however, no significant changes were observed in aspartate transaminase (AST) levels.
CONCLUSION:
Noticing the antioxidant properties of B. vulgaris root extract and its effects on reducing the activity of liver enzymes, the extract of this plant can be a good choice for improving the function of liver.
Avicenna J Phytomed. 2012 Summer;2(3):153-61. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov