Taxonomy and Pharmacognosy of Bergenia ciliata

Background: The crude drug (Pāshānabheda) described in several pharmacopoeias is the rhizome of the plant species Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. (Saxifragaceae), an evergreen, perennial temperate herb that grows at an elevation of 900‒3000 m AMSL in the Indian Himalaya. The rhizome has been used for centuries to treat kidney and bladder stones and rheumatoid arthritis besides the other therapeutic and nutraceutical applications in ethnomedicine, traditional, Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine. Objective: In view of issues in identifying raw material and segregating the adulterants of the crude drug, a pharmacognostic study was undertaken to provide ways for its safe use by obtaining detailed anatomical features of both the rhizome and the root of Bergenia ciliata by means of fresh and dried material. Methods: A brief description of the crude drug and its powder is made available employing the standard microscopic and phytochemical evaluations. Results: Using in-house developed thin-layer chromatography and HPLC methods, bergenin has been isolated in rhizome extract for quality control purposes. Traditional and therapeutic uses of the principal bioactive constituent bergenin, arbutin and the other phytochemical constituents are discussed. Furthermore, an account of raw material specifications for the rhizome, standards used, and regulatory status are presented against the background of the published information. Conclusion: Results presented in the report will further lead to future studies on beneficial and quality control aspects of the rhizome and to develop a potential nutraceutical, dietary supplement.