Comparative Pharmacognostical Studies Of Three Mahonia Species: Exploring The Possibilities As A Substitute Of Ayurvedic Drug “Daruharidra”

Abstract

Mahonia species (Family: Berberidaceae) is well known plant used in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of fever, cold, jaundice, diarrhea, dysentery, dermatitis, eczema and postnatal treatment. The present communication deals with comparative pharmacognostical studies and HPTLC quantification of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid berberine of three Mahonia species viz. Mahonia leschenaultii (Wallich ex Wight & Arn.) Takeda (ML), Mahonia nepaulensis DC. (MN) and Mahonia borealis Takeda (MB). The macroscopic examination showed characteristic differences in leaf, inflorescence and fruit of the three species. The pharmacognostical parameters viz. moisture content, ash and extractive values of samples was found to be within the limits of standard. The phytochemical evaluation of metabolites through spectroscopy reveals the presence of flavonoid, phenolics, starch, sugar and tannin, former was found to be the highest (0.45%) among all. HPTLC quantification showed that the maximum content of berberine was found in Mahonia leschenaultii i.e. 0.197% ± 0.01 dry wt. basis. The study explores the possibilities of Mahonia species as a substitute of Ayurvedic drug “Daruharidra” i.e. Berberis aristata and will also aid in quality control of products containing “Daruharidra” in herbal drug industry.