Introduction: Introduction Berberis integerrima, commonly known as black barberry, is a traditional medicinal plant widely used in Iranian and Middle Eastern herbal medicine. The fruit of this plant is particularly rich in bioactive compounds, especially isoquinoline alkaloids such as berberine, phenolic substances, and flavonoids. These phytochemicals are responsible for a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. As modern medicine increasingly acknowledges the value of traditional remedies, black barberry fruit has become a focus in research concerning plant-based treatments for chronic diseases, particularly those involving oxidative stress and inflammation.
Methods: This review study examined six peer-reviewed experimental articles accessed through scientific
databases such as ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, and PubMed Central. The selected
studies primarily focused on the in vivo effects of aqueous or hydroalcoholic extracts of black
barberry (Berberis integerrima) fruit, particularly in animal models. The inclusion criteria
emphasized studies evaluating physiological or biochemical responses in disease
models—such as hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary fibrosis, liver injury, and ulcerative
colitis—after extract administration. Articles without direct focus on black barberry fruit or without
measurable outcome variables were excluded.
Results: Across the reviewed studies, black barberry fruit extract demonstrated considerable therapeutic
effects. In hypertensive rats induced with DOCA-salt, the extract significantly lowered both
systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These effects were likely due to enhanced nitric oxide
production and its antioxidant potential. Additionally, in a paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis
model, black barberry extract reduced fibrosis markers and contributed to lung tissue
regeneration, indicating anti-fibrotic activity.
In models of liver injury, such as those induced by carbon tetrachloride or streptozotocin, the
extract showed hepatoprotective effects by decreasing elevated liver enzymes (AST, ALT) and
improving tissue histopathology. Antioxidant defense mechanisms, including increased levels of
superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione, were observed in extract-treated
groups. Lipid peroxidation markers such as TBARS were consistently reduced.
Moreover, in experimental models of ulcerative colitis, black barberry fruit extract alleviated
colonic inflammation, reduced mucosal damage, and improved histological scores. The
presence of bioactive alkaloids was correlated with these anti-inflammatory effects. In diabetic
rats, administration of the extract helped regulate hyperglycemia-induced oxidative damage and
liver stress, further emphasizing its systemic antioxidant and protective roles
Conclusion: Black barberry fruit (Berberis integerrima) exhibits promising pharmacological effects supported
by preclinical evidence. These therapeutic effects appear to be strongly linked to its
phytochemical profile—particularly berberine and related alkaloids. Studies reviewed in this
article consistently highlight its efficacy in reducing blood pressure, protecting liver and lung
tissues, and decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation. While these findings suggest its
potential for managing chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary fibrosis,
and inflammatory bowel disease, all data have so far been limited to animal studies.
To validate these findings and to consider black barberry fruit as a reliable component in modern
phytotherapy, clinical trials on human subjects are essential. Standardizing dosage, method of
administration, and extraction protocols will be crucial steps toward integrating this traditional remedy into evidence-based medicine