Evaluating the Antioxidative Potential of Berberis aristata DC. Aqueous Root Extract

Medicinal plants are a rich source of natural bioactive compounds that play a vital role in the management of oxidative stress, inflammation and various chronic diseases. Among these, Berberis aristata DC. is a traditionally valued medicinal plant known for its antioxidant and medicinal properties, largely attributed to its rich phytochemical profile. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant capacity of the aqueous root extract of Berberis aristata (BAE). Qualitative phytochemical tests revealed presence of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and saponins, indicating a high abundance of bioactive compounds with known therapeutic value.

Antioxidant capacity was assessed using total antioxidant capacity (TAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and hydroxyl radical scavenging tests. BAE exhibited significant antioxidant activity, with TAC and FRAP values of 131.452±0.23 and 47.47±0.724 μg ascorbic acid equivalents per gram, respectively. In hydroxyl radical test, the extract exhibited dosedependent free radical scavenging effects, with IC₅₀ values 69.97 μg /ml. These findings confirm the presence of potent electron- and hydrogen-donating phytochemicals, which are consistent with previous reports on the antioxidant activity of Berberis species.

Overall, this study establishes BAE as a promising natural source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory factors. These findings support its potential application in herbal medicine and nutraceutical development, necessitating further in-vivo and mechanistic investigations.