Comparative pharmacognostical studies of three Mahonia species: Exploring the possibilities as a substitute for the Ayurvedic drug “Daruharidra”

Abstract

Mahonia species (Family: Berberidaceae) is a well-known plant used in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of fever, cold, jaundice, diarrhoea, dysentery, dermatitis and eczema and for postnatal treatment. The present communication deals with comparative pharmacognostical studies and HPTLC quantification of a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, berberine, of three Mahonia species, viz., Mahonia leschenaultii (Wallich ex Wight & Arn.) Takeda (ML), Mahonia napaulensis 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 were found to be within the limits of standard. The phytochemical evaluation of metabolites through spectroscopy reveals the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, starch, sugar and tannin and the former was found to be the highest (0.45%) among all. HPTLC quantification showed that the maximum content of berberine was found in Mahonia leschenaultia i.e., 0.197%±0.01 dry wt. basis. The study explores the possibilities of Mahonia species as a substitute of the Ayurvedic drug “Daruharidra” i.e., Berberis aristata and will also aid in quality control of products containing “Daruharidra”.