Radix Berberidis
Source
The dried root and stem of Berberis souheana Schneid., B. wilsonne flemsl.,
and B. poiretii Schneid., family Berberidaceae.
Characteristics
Root somewhat conical, twisted and branching, 10-15 cm long and 1-3 cm
in diameter; epidermis greyish brown and finely striated; section bright
yellow in colour and radial in arrangement. Stem with many branches; surface
greyish brown, with longitudinal ridges and thick tridentate leaf spines;
section yellow in colour, radial in arrangement, with a brown yellowish
pith. Bitter in taste, cold in nature, and attributive to liver, stomach
and large intestine channels.
Indication
1. Clear away heat and deprive dampness form middle jiao: For diarrhea,
dysentery and leucorrhagia of dampness-heat type.
2. Purge sthenic fire and eliminate toxic material: For skin infection
pharyngitis and conjunctivitis of intense heat type.
3. Lower blood pressure: For hypertension, used together with Flos Chrysanthemi
Indici:, Spica Prunellae, etc. Berbamine may be used individually.
4. Raise WBC level: Berbamine may be used for leukopenia induced by chemical
drugs, radiation, benzene, aplastic anemia and others.
Pharmacological
Action
1. The action of berberine, one of its active components, is similar to
Rhizoma Coptidis.
2. Berbamine, another active corilponent, relieves leucopenia induced
by cyclophosphamide, benzene, radiation, etc.
3. Berbamine counters the immunodamage induced by cytosine arabinoside
and enhances lymphocyte-blastogenesis rate in leukopenic patient suffering
from chronic benzene poisoning.
Administration Decoction: 9-15g. Tablet (containing berbamine 25 mg): 2 tablets tid.