Phytochemical ingredients and pharmacological properties of bergenia ciliata

Bergenia ciliata belongs to the family Saxifragaceae, commonly called as Pashaanbheda or Zakham-e-hayat. Traditionally, Bergenia ciliata is mainly used to treat kidney stones for a long time. The plant contains very high amount of bergenin in addition to other phytochemical constituents like afzelechin, catechin, beta-sitosterol, gallic acid, tannic acid, (-)-3-0-galloylepicatechin, (-)-3-0galloylcatechin, gallicin, etc. It has number of pharmacological properties such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-tussive, anti-diabetic, anti-lithotriptic, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, etc. Hence, there is an urgent need for documentation of such tribal species and help to find innovative ways to tap its efficiency used for human welfare in future. Although, some herbal formulations containing B. ciliata are available for therapeutic applications.