PHARMACOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF BERBERINE SULPHATE

Abstract

The alkaloid, berberine, isolated from Berberis aristata Linn has been used in the Indian system of medicine as a stomachic, bitter tonic and also in the treatment of oriental sores. The root bark and its decoctions were thought be an excellent remedy against malaria and were used as a diaphoretic and antipyretic in the past (1). It was reported to possess bacteriostatic activity especially against V. Cholera and was found to be useful in the treatment of cholera and diarrhoea (2). Recently, it has been claimed that berberine and its salts have a place in the chemotherapy of amoebiasis (3-4). The present work is devoted to the study of the antiamoebic properties of this drug on experimentally induced amoebiasis in rats, the minimum inhibitory concentration and other relevent pharmacological effects on experimental animals and animal tissues.