[Research progress on chemical compositions of Coptidis Rhizoma and pharmacological effects of berberine].

Coptidis Rhizoma was a commonly used antipyretic and dampening drug in clinic, which was first recorded in the Shennong's Herbal Classic of Materia Medica and which was listed as one of the highest grade herb in traditional Chinese medicine. Traditionally, Coptidis Rhizoma was used to treat dampness with distention and fullness, vomiting with acid regurgitation, acne, heartbum, etc. At present, a total of 133 chemical components have been isolated and identified from Coptidis Rhizoma, which can be divided into alkaloids(44 species), lignans(32 species), flavonoids(9 species), phenylpropionic acid and its derivatives(26 species) and other compounds(22 species) according to the differences in structure types. Modern studies have shown that berberine is one of the most important active composition of Coptidis Rhizoma, which not only has an effect on the antibacterial, antiviral and anti-gastric ulcer, but also plays a vital role in reducing blood sugar, lowering blood fat, anti-tumor and treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The chemical constituents of Coptidis Rhizoma and pharmacological effects of berberine were reviewed in this study, which was expected to provide references for the further research, development of and clinical application of Coptidis Rhizoma and berberine.