Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and their Potential Applications in Mitigating Cancer.

In recent years, the field of nanotechnology has brought about significant advancements that have transformed the landscape of disease diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, particularly in the realm of medical science. Among the various approaches to nanoparticle synthesis, the green synthesis method has garnered increasing attention. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have emerged as particularly noteworthy nanomaterials within the spectrum of metallic nanoparticles employed for biomedical applications. AgNPs possess several key attributes that make them highly valuable in the biomedical field. They are biocompatible, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, rendering them suitable for various bioengineering and biomedical applications. Notably, AgNPs have found a prominent role in the domain of cancer diagnosis. Research investigations have provided evidence of AgNPs' anticancer activity, which involves mechanisms such as DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis, and the regulation of specific cytokine genes. The synthesis of AgNPs primarily involves the reduction of silver ions by reducing agents. Interestingly, natural products and living organisms have proven to be effective sources for the generation of precursor materials used in AgNP synthesis. This comprehensive review aims to summarize the key aspects of AgNPs, including their characterization, properties, and recent advancements in the field of biogenic AgNP synthesis. Furthermore, the review highlights the potential applications of these nanoparticles in combating cancer.

Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities of Plectranthus rugosus extract and fractions: in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is a key biological reaction that comprises a complex network of signals that both initiate and stop the inflammation process. PURPOSE: This study targets to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of the leaves of the Plectranthus rugosus (P. rugosus) plant involving both in vitro and in vivo measures. The current available drugs exhibit serious side effects. Traditional medicines impart an essential role in drug development. P. rugosus is a plant used in traditional medicine of Tropical Africa, China, and Australia to treat various diseases. METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin, kindles macrophages to discharge huge quantities of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6. So, clampdown of macrophage stimulation may have a beneficial potential to treat various inflammatory disorders. The leaves of the P. rugosus are used for swelling purpose by local population; however, its use as an anti-inflammatory agent and associated disorders has no scientific evidence. RESULTS: The extracts of the plant Plectranthus rugosus ethanolic extract (PREE), Plectranthus rugosus ethyl acetate extract (PREAF), and the compound isolated (oleanolic acid) suppress the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO), confirming its importance in traditional medicine. CONCLUSION: The pro-inflammatory cytokines are inhibited by P. rugosus extracts, as well as an isolated compound oleanolic acid without compromising cell viability.

Repurposing approved non-oncology drugs for cancer therapy: a comprehensive review of mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical prospects.

Cancer poses a significant global health challenge, with predictions of increasing prevalence in the coming years due to limited prevention, late diagnosis, and inadequate success with current therapies. In addition, the high cost of new anti-cancer drugs creates barriers in meeting the medical needs of cancer patients, especially in developing countries. The lengthy and costly process of developing novel drugs further hinders drug discovery and clinical implementation. Therefore, there has been a growing interest in repurposing approved drugs for other diseases to address the urgent need for effective cancer treatments. The aim of this comprehensive review is to provide an overview of the potential of approved non-oncology drugs as therapeutic options for cancer treatment. These drugs come from various chemotherapeutic classes, including antimalarials, antibiotics, antivirals, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antifungals, and have demonstrated significant antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, and antimetastatic properties. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify relevant studies on the repurposing of approved non-oncology drugs for cancer therapy. Various electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were searched using appropriate keywords. Studies focusing on the therapeutic potential, mechanisms of action, efficacy, and clinical prospects of repurposed drugs in cancer treatment were included in the analysis. The review highlights the promising outcomes of repurposing approved non-oncology drugs for cancer therapy. Drugs belonging to different therapeutic classes have demonstrated notable antitumor effects, including inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting apoptosis, modulating the immune response, and suppressing metastasis. These findings suggest the potential of these repurposed drugs as effective therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment. Repurposing approved non-oncology drugs provides a promising strategy for addressing the urgent need for effective and accessible cancer treatments. The diverse classes of repurposed drugs, with their demonstrated antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, and antimetastatic properties, offer new avenues for cancer therapy. Further research and clinical trials are warranted to explore the full potential of these repurposed drugs and optimize their use in treating various cancer types. Repurposing approved drugs can significantly expedite the process of identifying effective treatments and improve patient outcomes in a cost-effective manner.

Evolution of Natural Product Scaffolds as Potential Proteasome Inhibitors in Developing Cancer Therapeutics.

Homeostasis between protein synthesis and degradation is a critical biological function involving a lot of precise and intricate regulatory systems. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) is a large, multi-protease complex that degrades most intracellular proteins and accounts for about 80% of cellular protein degradation. The proteasome, a massive multi-catalytic proteinase complex that plays a substantial role in protein processing, has been shown to have a wide range of catalytic activity and is at the center of this eukaryotic protein breakdown mechanism. As cancer cells overexpress proteins that induce cell proliferation, while blocking cell death pathways, UPP inhibition has been used as an anticancer therapy to change the balance between protein production and degradation towards cell death. Natural products have a long history of being used to prevent and treat various illnesses. Modern research has shown that the pharmacological actions of several natural products are involved in the engagement of UPP. Over the past few years, numerous natural compounds have been found that target the UPP pathway. These molecules could lead to the clinical development of novel and potent anticancer medications to combat the onslaught of adverse effects and resistance mechanisms caused by already approved proteasome inhibitors. In this review, we report the importance of UPP in anticancer therapy and the regulatory effects of diverse natural metabolites, their semi-synthetic analogs, and SAR studies on proteasome components, which may aid in discovering a new proteasome regulator for drug development and clinical applications.

Clinical Biomarkers and Novel Drug Targets to Cut Gordian Knots of Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the primary cause of dementia, escalating worldwide, has no proper diagnosis or effective treatment. Neuronal cell death and impairment of cognitive abilities, possibly triggered by several brain mechanisms, are the most significant characteristic of this disorder. METHODS: A multitude of pharmacological targets have been identified for potential drug design against AD. Although many advances in treatment strategies have been made to correct various abnormalities, these often exhibit limited clinical significance because this disease aggressively progresses into different regions of the brain, causing severe deterioration. RESULTS: These biomarkers can be game-changers for early detection and timely monitoring of such disorders. CONCLUSION: This review covers clinically significant biomarkers of AD for precise and early monitoring of risk factors and stages of this disease, the potential site of action and novel targets for drugs, and pharmacological approaches to clinical management.

Dysfunction of ABC Transporters at the Surface of BBB: Potential Implications in Intractable Epilepsy and Applications of Nanotechnology Enabled Drug Delivery.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting 70 million people globally. One of the fascinating attributes of brain microvasculature is the (BBB), which controls a chain of distinct features that securely regulate the molecules, ions, and cells movement between the blood and the parenchyma. The barrier's integrity is of paramount importance and essential for maintaining brain homeostasis, as it offers both physical and chemical barriers to counter pathogens and xenobiotics. Dysfunction of various transporters in the (BBB), mainly ATP binding cassette (ABC), is considered to play a vital role in hampering the availability of antiepileptic drugs into the brain. ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporters constitute a most diverse protein superfamily, which plays an essential part in various biological processes, including cell homeostasis, cell signaling, uptake of nutrients, and drug metabolism. Moreover, it plays a crucial role in neuroprotection by out-flowing various internal and external toxic substances from the interior of a cell, thus decreasing their buildup inside the cell. In humans, forty-eight ABC transporters have been acknowledged and categorized into subfamilies A to G based on their phylogenetic analysis. ABC subfamilies B, C, and G, impart a vital role at the BBB in guarding the brain against the entrance of various xenobiotic and their buildup. The illnesses of the central nervous system have received a lot of attention lately Owing to the existence of the BBB, the penetration effectiveness of most CNS medicines into the brain parenchyma is very limited (BBB). In the development of neurological therapies, BBB crossing for medication delivery to the CNS continues to be a major barrier. Nanomaterials with BBB cross ability have indeed been extensively developed for the treatment of CNS diseases due to their advantageous properties. This review will focus on multiple possible factors like inflammation, oxidative stress, uncontrolled recurrent seizures, and genetic polymorphisms that result in the deregulation of ABC transporters in epilepsy and nanotechnology-enabled delivery across BBB in epilepsy.

A Comprehensive Review on Journey of Pyrrole Scaffold Against Multiple Therapeutic Targets.

Heterocyclic compounds are that type of substances that are deeply intertwined with biological processes. Heterocycles are found in about 90% of commercially available medicines. In medicinal chemistry, finding new synthetic molecules with drug-like characteristics is a regular problem, which triggered the development of pharmacological molecules, the majority of which are based on N-heterocyclic motifs. Among the heterocycles, the pyrrole scaffold is the most commonly found heterocycle in both natural and synthetic bioactive compounds. Pyrrole has a fivemembered heterocyclic ring with a plethora of pharmacophores, resulting in a library of different lead compounds. Pyrrole derivatives are physiologically active heterocyclic compounds that can be used as scaffolds for antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, antitubercular, anti-inflammatory, and as enzyme inhibitors. On account of their extensive pharmacological profile, pyrrole and its various synthetic derivatives have drawn much attention from researchers to explore it for the benefit of humankind. This review presents an overview of recent developments in the pyrrole derivatives against multiple therapeutic targets.

Anticancer Potential of Thymoquinone: A Novel Bioactive Natural Compound from Nigella sativa L.

Cancer involves the uncontrolled division of cells resulting in abnormal cell growth due to various gene mutations and is considered the second major cause of death. Due to drug resistance to current anticancer drugs, cancer incidence is rising, and seeking effective treatment is a major concern. Natural products are prospective to yield unique molecules, as nature is a leading source of various drug molecules due to plenty of pharmacologically active molecules. Thymoquinone, a bioactive constituent obtained from Nigella sativa L., has drawn considerable attention among researchers in recent years due to its anticancer potential involving various molecular targets, including initiation of apoptosis initiation, arrest of cell cycle and generation of ROS, besides targeting multiple kinases such as tyrosine kinase, MAPK, and Janus kinase. The current review summarizes the thymoquinone chemistry, sources and anticancer potential involving various molecular targets.

Recent Insights into Therapeutic Potential of Plant-Derived Flavonoids against Cancer.

Flavonoids, a class of polyphenolic secondary metabolites, are present in fruits, vegetables, beverages such as wine and tea abundantly. Flavonoids exhibit a diverse array of pharmacological activities, including anticancer activity, and are toxic to cancer cells but not harmful to healthy cells. Besides, humans and animals cannot synthesize flavonoids, which leads to a dramatic increase in the consumption of plant flavonoids. Flavonoids consist of a 15- carbon skeleton in C6-C3-C6 rings with divergent substitution patterns to form a series of compounds. Due to their multi-faceted mechanism of action by modulating various signaling pathways associated with apoptosis, cellular proliferation, inflammation, differentiation, metastasis, angiogenesis, they interrupt the initiation, promotion, and progression of cancer. The present review highlights the Structural Activity Relationship (SAR) of flavonoids and recent insights on the progress of natural flavonoids and their synthetic analogs as prospective drug candidates against cancer, along with molecular mechanisms of action.

The Regulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Cancer: Special Focuses on Luteolin Patents.

Cancer is a major health problem across the globe, and is expeditiously growing at a faster rate worldwide. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a membranous cell organelle having inextricable links in cellular homeostasis. Altering ER homeostasis initiates various signaling events known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). The basic purpose of the UPR is to reinstate the homeostasis; however, a continuous UPR can stimulate pathways of cell death, such as apoptosis. As a result, there is great perturbation to target particular signaling pathways of ER stress. Flavonoids have gained significant interest as a potential anticancer agent because of their considerable role in causing cytotoxicity of the cancerous cells. Luteolin, a flavonoid isolated from natural products, is a promising phytochemical used in the treatment of cancer. The current study is designed to review the different endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways involved in the cancer, mechanistic insights of luteolin as an anticancer agent in modulating ER stress, and the available luteolin patent formulations were also highlighted. The patents were selected on the basis of pre-clinical and/or clinical trials, and established antitumor effects using patent databases of FPO IP and Espacenet. The patented formulation of luteolin studied so far has shown promising anticancer potential against different cancer cell lines. However, further research is still required to determine the molecular targets of such bioactive molecules so that they can be used as anticancer drugs.

Berberine in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Nanotechnology Enabled Targeted Delivery.

BACKGROUND: Berberine (BBR), an alkaloidal compound found in many plants, is widely used for hundreds of years in the traditional system of Chinese medicine. OBJECTIVE/AIM: The present review is aimed to summarize the potential of Berberine in the amelioration of various neurological disorders. METHODS: The collection of data for the compilation of this review work was searched in PubMed Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Of late, researchers are more focused on its beneficial role in neurodegenerative diseases. RESULTS: BBR has proven its protective role in numerous neurotoxicity models including, oxygen-glucose deprivation, mercury-induced, neurodegenerative model by ibotenic acid, and hypoxia caused by COCl2. BBR treatment averts the generation of reactive oxygen species in the oxygen-glucose deprivation model. Further, it subdues cytochrome c along with the divulge of apoptosis-inducing factors that indicate its beneficial action in the management of stroke. BBR diminished hydrogen peroxide-induced neuronal damage by enhancing the PI3k / Akt / Nrf-2 based pathway and showed a preventive impact on neurites of SH-SY5Y cells by averting the formation of ROS and inhibiting apoptosis. The impact of BBR on neurological disorder using a transgenic AD type mouse strain (TgCRND8) showed a reduction in the piling up of amyloid-ß plaque. In mice, administration of BBR in the dose range of 5-10m/kg has been reported to raise the levels of serotonin (47%), dopamine (31%), and norepinephrine (29%) in CNS to allay depression. CONCLUSION: The present review is aimed to summarize the potential of Berberine in the amelioration of various neurological disorders.

Novel Drug Delivery System for Curcumin: Implementation to Improve Therapeutic Efficacy against Neurological Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenolic compound present in Curcuma longa Linn. (Turmeric), has been used to improve various neurodegenerative conditions, including Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Prion disease, stroke, anxiety, depression, and ageing. However, the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) impedes the delivery of curcumin to the brain, limiting its therapeutic potential. OBJECTIVE/AIM: This review summarises the recent advances towards the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin along with various novel strategies to overcome its poor bioavailability across the bloodbrain barrier. METHODS: The data for the compilation of this review work were searched in PubMed Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. RESULTS: Various approaches have been opted to expedite the delivery of curcumin across the blood-brain barrier, including liposomes, micelles, polymeric nanoparticles, exosomes, dualtargeting nanoparticles, etc. Conclusion: The review also summarises the numerous toxicological studies and the role of curcumin in CNS disorders.

Plant-Derived Natural Compounds for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: An Update.

BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease (MND) that typically causes death within 3-5 years after diagnosis. Regardless of the substantial scientific knowledge accrued more than a century ago, truly effective therapeutic strategies remain distant. Various conventional drugs are being used but are having several adverse effects. OBJECTIVE/AIM: The current study aims to thoroughly review plant-derived compounds with welldefined ALS activities and their structure-activity relationships. Moreover, the review also focuses on complex genetics, clinical trials, and the use of natural products that might decrypt the future and novel therapeutics in ALS. METHODS: The collection of data for the compilation of this review work was searched in PubMed Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. RESULTS: Results showed that phytochemicals like-Ginkgolides, Protopanaxatriol, Genistein, epigallocatechingallate, resveratrol, cassoside, and others possess Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) activity by various mechanisms Conclusion: These plant-derived compounds may be considered as supplements for conventional (ALS). Moreover, further preclinical and clinical studies are required to understand the structureactivity relationships, metabolism, absorption, and mechanisms of plant-derived natural agents.

Prunella vulgaris L: Critical Pharmacological, Expository Traditional Uses and Extensive Phytochemistry: A Review.

BACKGROUND: Prunella vulgaris , family Lamiaceae also known as self-heal, has been traditionally used as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and anti-rheumatic. Due to the widespread distribution of the plant, Vulgaris is also called 'vulgar' in Latin adjective meaning common. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to describe the relevant aspects of phytochemistry and therapeutic uses of different fractions as well as isolated compounds from Prunella vulgaris . An attempt was also made to enumerate the possible leads, e.g . betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, umbelliferone, scopoletin, esculetin, luteolin, homoorientin, Rosmarinic acid and cinaroside, for further development. METHOD: For peer-reviewed research literature, we undertook a structured search of bibliographic databases using a focused review question. Scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched. RESULTS: Phytochemistry of Prunella vulgaris (PV) after a thorough literature survey revealed varied and copious metabolites, such as triterpenoids, phenolic acid, sterols, carbohydrates, coumarins, fatty acids, and volatile oils. Many of these compounds have been found to possess a wide range of biological activities per se, including anti-microbial, immunosuppressive, anti-cancer, cardio- protective, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activities. CONCLUSION: Prunella vulgaris is a medicinal plant of immense medicinal importance having a variety of compounds, such as triterpenoids, phenolic acid, sterols, carbohydrates, coumarins, fatty acids, and volatile oils, and diversity in the pharmacological spectrum. The plant could be further exploited to isolate the various biologically active constituents responsible for its activity.

Bioactive Heterocyclic Compounds as Potential Therapeutics in the Treatment of Gliomas: A Review.

Cancer is one of the most alarming diseases, with an estimation of 9.6 million deaths in 2018. Glioma occurs in glial cells surrounding nerve cells. The majority of the patients with gliomas have a terminal prognosis, and the ailment has significant sway on patients and their families, be it physical, psychological, or economic wellbeing. As Glioma exhibits, both intra and inter tumour heterogeneity with multidrug resistance and current therapies are ineffective. So the development of safer anti gliomas agents is the need of hour. Bioactive heterocyclic compounds, eithernatural or synthetic, are of potential interest since they have been active against different targets with a wide range of biological activities, including anticancer activities. In addition, they can cross the biological barriers and thus interfere with various signalling pathways to induce cancer cell death. All these advantages make bioactive natural compounds prospective candidates in the management of glioma. In this review, we assessed various bioactive heterocyclic compounds, such as jaceosidin, hispudlin, luteolin, silibinin, cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabinol, didemnin B, thymoquinone, paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cucurbitacins for their potential anti-glioma activity. Also, different kinds of chemical reactions to obtain various heterocyclic derivatives, e.g. indole, indazole, benzimidazole, benzoquinone, quinoline, quinazoline, pyrimidine, and triazine, are listed.

Depression: An Insight into Heterocyclic and Cyclic Hydrocarbon Compounds Inspired from Natural Sources.

Depression, a well-known mental disorder, has global prevalence, affecting nearly 17% of the population. Due to various limitations of the currently available drugs, people have been adopting traditional herbal medicines to alleviate the symptoms of depression. It is notable to mention that natural products, their derivatives, and their analogs are the main sources for new drug candidates of depression. The mechanisms include interplay with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, serotonergic, dopaminergic noradrenergic systems, and elevation of BDNF levels. The focus of this article is to review the role of signalling molecules in depression and highlight the use of plant-derived natural compounds to counter CNS depression.

Natural Anti-inflammatory Compounds as Drug Candidates in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative brain disorder characterized by memory impairment, dementia, and oxidative stress in elderly people. Currently, only a few drugs are available in the market with various adverse effects. Therefore, to develop new drugs with protective action against the disease, research is turning to the identification of plant products as a remedy. Natural compounds with anti-inflammatory activity could be good candidates for developing effective therapeutic strategies. Phytochemicals, including Curcumin, Resveratrol, Quercetin, Huperzine-A, Rosmarinic acid, genistein, obovatol, and Oxyresvertarol, were reported molecules for the treatment of AD. Several alkaloids, such as galantamine, oridonin, glaucocalyxin B, tetrandrine, berberine and anatabine, have been shown anti-inflammatory effects in AD models in vitro as well as in-vivo. In conclusion, natural products from plants represent interesting candidates for the treatment of AD. This review highlights the potential of specific compounds from natural products along with their synthetic derivatives to counteract AD in the CNS.

Exosomes Harnessed as Nanocarriers for Cancer Therapy - Current Status and Potential for Future Clinical Applications.

Exosomes are nano structured (50-90 nm) vesicles that originate from endosomal compartment of eukaryotic cells and are secreted into extracellular matrix. In recent years, there has been increased interest in exploring exosomes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Like many other diseases, e.g., neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune diseases exosomes have a considerable significance in cancer too. Exosomes are known to prevail in large numbers and carry unique cargos in different types of cancers and thus are proving as versatile entities in understanding their biology of cancers and utilized as efficient diagnostic biomarkers in identification of cancer type. In addition to diagnostic applications, there has been an increased interest in recent years to exploit exosomes as carriers for delivery of therapeutic agents to target sites as well. This is indebted to their exceptional non-immunogenic and biomimetic properties that prompted researchers to use exosomes as carriers for delivery of therapeutic agents, e.g., drugs, genes and peptides. Exosomes also circumvent many drawbacks associated with other lipid or polymeric nanocarriers, e.g., low circulation time, lipid toxicities, long term stability, etc. However, in spite of many favorable aspects of exosome based therapy, there have been a number of challenges too. This review will focus on the current status of the exosome based drug therapy for cancer, the challenges faced and its potential for future clinical use.

Green Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization and Biomedical Applications of Carbon Nanotubes.

Carbon nanotubes are nano-sized cylindrical chicken wire-like structures made of carbon atoms. Carbon nanotubes have applications in electronics, energy storage, electromagnetic devices, environmental remediation and medicine as well. The biomedical applications of carbon nanotubes can be owed to features like low toxicity, non-immunogenicity, high in vivo stability and rapid cell entry. Carbon nanotubes have a great prospect in the treatment of diseases through diagnostic as well as therapeutic approaches. These nanostructures are interesting carriers for delivery and translocation of therapeutic molecules e.g. proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, drugs, etc. to various organs like the brain, lungs, liver, and pancreas. Commonly used methods to synthesize carbon nanotubes are arc discharge, chemical vapor deposition, pyrolysis, laser ablation etc. These methods have many disadvantages such as operation at high temperature, use of chemical catalysts, prolonged synthesis time and inclusion of toxic metallic particles in the final product requiring additional purification processes. In order to avoid these setbacks, various green chemistry-based synthetic methods have been devised, e.g., those involving interfacial polymerization, supercritical carbon dioxide drying, plant extract assisted synthesis, water- assisted synthesis, etc. This review will provide a thorough outlook of the eco-friendly synthesis of carbon nanotubes reported in the literature and their biomedical applications. Besides, the most commonly used spectroscopic techniques used for the characterization of carbon nanotubes are also discussed.

Ethnomedicinal uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Aspects of the Genus Berberis Linn: A Comprehensive Review.

BACKGROUND: Genus Berberis (family Berberidaceae), which contains about 650 species and 17 genera worldwide, has been used in folklore and various traditional medicine systems. Berberis Linn. is the most established group among genera with around 450-500 species across the world. This comprehensive review will not only help researchers for further evaluation but also provide substantial information for future exploitation of species to develop novel herbal formulations. OBJECTIVE: The present review is focussed to summarize and collect the updated review of information of Berberis species reported to date regarding their ethnomedicinal information, chemical constituents, traditional/folklore use, and reported pharmacological activities on more than 40 species of Berberis. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive survey of the literature reveals that various species of the genus possess various phytoconstituents mainly alkaloids, flavonoid based compounds isolated from different parts of a plant with a wide range of pharmacological activities. So far, many pharmacological activities like anti-cancer, anti-hyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antiinflammatory both in vitro and in vivo and clinical study of different extracts/isolated compounds of different species of Berberis have been reported, proving their importance as a medicinal plant and claiming their traditional use.