Journal of Natural Product Research (IF-2.2)
Since the beginning of 2020, the spread of the COVID-19 virus has created panic across the globe, and so the WHO declared it as a pandemic. Scientists across the world are looking for drugs that can control the growth and spread of COVID-19, and searching to develop a plant-based vaccine. Berberis L. (Berberidaceae) comprises 602 species and their wide distribution is recorded from subtropical to temperate regions. In India, roots of B. lycium have been used for many decades in the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of several antiviral diseases, bone and skin disorders, jaundice, ulcers, gonorrhoea, diabetes, and blood pressure.
The plant materials were collected from two different regions for extraction purpose. Berberine extraction techniques from Berberis L. and quantification methods, chemistry and several biological functions coupled with different clinical studies undertaken associated with berberine and allied research are presented in the current research publication.
Berberine was positively characterised and quantified from the root of B. lycium by HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography). Rapid determination and novel optimisation method for berberine extraction developed by Soxhlet extraction using CCD-RSM have been done in current research. Berberine was detected by HPLC, and the highest yield was obtained by maintaining optimal extraction conditions i.e. extraction time, solvent and solvent to sample ratio. The method reported is helpful for pharmaceutical companies for profiling and screening for commercial extraction, drug analysis, and development of herbal formulations.
Species of Berberis L. are industrially important Himalayan plants due to the presence of bioactive phytochemicals, especially berberine from protoberberine group of benzylisoquinoline, and recent studies have shown its potential in controlling COVID-19.
The study by Anil Kumar Katare (CSIR-IIIM) et al. and scientists from other organisations was published in the journal Natural Product Research.
Full-Text article: https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2020.1806274
