Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) has been used as a sedative and as a remedy for heart arrhythmias in Iranian traditional medicine. A study in the Journal of Ethnoparmacology (2005 Oct 31;102(1):46-52) looked at its effect on arterial blood pressure, arterial constriction (in response to phenylephrine–a drug that constricts arteries), and nervous system response in rats. A standardized extract of barberry was able to reduce blood pressure as well as reduce arterial contraction in response to the phenylephrine. It also had a sedative effect on the nervous system.
The results support the hypothesis that the aqueous extract of barberry has beneficial effects on both cardiovascular and nervous system. There may be potential use for treatment of hypertension, tachycardia and some neurologic disorders, such as epilepsy and convulsion.
