Polypharmacological Activities of Bergenia Species

Bergenia species are evergreen herb belonging to the family saxifragaceae. The rhizomes of these plants are used in the indigenous system of medicines. There are three species of Bergenia, namely B. ligulata, B. ciliata and B. stracheyi. The rhizome and other parts of B. ligulata is used in urinary bladder stone, antilithic activity diuretic activity, anti-bradykinin activity, antiviral activity, antipyretic activity, antibacterial, anti inflammatory, hepatoprotective activity, insecticidal activity, α-glucosidase activity and all these activities of the plant is due to presence of its constituents like; β-Sitosterol, Tannic acid, Stigmesterol, Gallic acid, Bergenin, (+)Afzelechin, (+)-afzelechin, (+)-afzelechin tetraccetate, (+)-5,7,4’-trimethoxyafzelechin, (+)-tetramethoxyazelechin, (+)-3-acetyl-5,7,4'trimethoxyafzelechin. The second species is B ciliata, have antitussive, antiulcer, antioxidant, antibacterial, hypoglycemic, toxicological activity. The plant contains Tannic acid, Gallic acid, Glucose, Metarbin, Albumen, Bergenin, (+)-Catechin, Gallicin and Gallic acid B. stracheyi is third species shows DPPH radical scavenging activity, antimicrobial and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities. It also used in arthritis. The main chemical constituent of the species is Bergenin.