Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2013) 2(5): 328-334

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 2 Number 5 (2013) pp. 328-334 http://www.ijcmas.com

Review Article Review on phytochemical, ethnomedical and biological studies of medically useful genus

Vinesh Kumar* and Devendra Tyagi

Department of Chemistry, D.A.V. (P.G.) College, Dehradun - 248001, *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T

K e y w o r d s The genus Bergenia belongs to family . Literature review revealed that various species of genus Bergenia have been used in folklore and Indigenus Bergenia; system of medicine for various ailments. Many species of Bergenia have been saxifragaceae; studied for antidiabetic, diuretic, astringent, cardiofonic, wound healer, biological expectorant, antipyretic, and anti-haemorrarhoidal, analgesic, antispasmodic, activities; antitumor, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. The species cytotoxic show biological activities due to the presence of various chemical constituents. and Some studies revealed the toxic nature of Bergenia species. For commercial cardiotoxic. utilization of this genus further clinical research should be carried out for its cytotoxic and cardiotoxic nature.

Introduction

The genus Bergenia belongs to family on Medicinal of India. Pangtey Saxifragaceae. This family comprises of (2005) was reported two species (Bergenia 30 genera and 580 species, mostly lingulata from lower altitude and Bergenia distributed in the cold and temperate stracheyi from higher altitude from Himalayas and Central and Eastern Asia Kumaun Himalaya). between 4000 to 12000 feet. The genus Bergenia comprises about 6 species The salient botanical features of the genus distributed in temperate Himalayas and Bergenia are: species of this genus are central and Eastern Asia. Hooker (1888) perennial herbs upto 50 cm tall, succulent. has reported three species of Bergenia Rhizomes woody, covered with leaf bases. from India in the Flora of British India. Flowers are white, pink or purplish in Wehmer (1948) was reported three species terminal cymes. Fruit is a conical capsule of Bergenia from India in The Wealth of having minute seeds (Hooker and India. Thomson, 1858).

Recently, Sharma (2003) observed two The is known as Paashanbheda species i.e. Bergenia stracheyi from India (Paashan = rockstone, bheda = piercing) in

328 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2013) 2(5): 328-334

Hindi and rock-foil in English which itself dissolving kidney and urinary bladder indicates that the Bergenia plants grow stones. The rhizomes are pulveris and between rocks and appears to break them made into a paste which is applied for 3-4 or that they have lithotriptic property. days on the burnt parts of body for soothing relief. The burn heals without The species of genus Bergenia reported to leaving any scar. The bruised rhizomes have tannins, benzanoids, coumarins, were applied on dislocated bones after quinoids, flavonoids, lactone, and steroids. setting in proper place. The rhizomes are The rhizomes of genus Bergenia are used chewed in diarrhea and given with honey as folk medicine for antiscorbutic, in fever. The leaves are also chewed in astringent, diuretic febrifuge and constipation and juice of the leaves is used ophthalmic properties. Traditionally the in earache. The inflorescence are mixed rhizomes are used for curing kidney and with barley flour and given to bullocks and gall bladder stone, cough and cold, healing cow to check bleeding in urine. Roots of old wounds, cuts and burns, inflammation Bergenia were effective to combat etc. venereal diseases (Akerele, 1992).

Many species of Bergenia have been Bhattaraj (1994) in his studies reported studied for antidiabetic drug, diuretic, that in