berberine

[ bur-buh-reen ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a white or yellow, crystalline, water-soluble alkaloid, C 20 H 19 NO 5 , derived from barberry or goldenseal, used as an antipyrotic, antibacterial, and stomachic.

berberine

/ ˈbɜːbəˌriːn /

noun

1. a yellow bitter-tasting alkaloid obtained from barberry and other plants and used medicinally, esp in tonics. Formula: C 20 H 19 NO 5

Word History and Origins

Origin of berberine¹

1860–65; < New Latin Berber ( is ) ( berberidaceous ) + -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of berberine¹

C19: from German Berberin , from New Latin berberis barberry

Example Sentences

For a gentler approach, some practitioners prefer to prescribe herbal antimicrobials such as allicin, oregano, berberine, neem, and cinnamon for four to six weeks.

From Time

It differs from paricine in its proportion of hydrogen, and from berberine in containing more carbon.

From Project Gutenberg

"I have never had any real trouble with them," she continued with a little gesture of pride towards the disappearing Berberine.

From Project Gutenberg

According to the most recent investigations, hydrastin contains berberine, and another alkaline called hydrastia or hydrastina.

From Project Gutenberg

But this similarity only holds in the north, and is now shown to be due to Berberine immigration into Kordofan.

From Project Gutenberg

The inner bark and roots yield a fine yellow dye (berberine).

From Project Gutenberg