The structure of bergenin

Diversity, pharmacology and synthesis of bergenin and its derivatives: potential materials for therapeutic usages

Bergenin, a natural secondary metabolite, has been isolated from different parts of a number of plants. It is one of active ingredients in herbal and Ayurvedic formulations. It exhibits antiviral, antifungal, antitussive, antiplasmodial, antiinflammatory, antihepatotoxic, antiarrhythmic, antitumor, antiulcerogenic, antidiabetic and wound healing properties. It has been analyzed and estimated in different plant extracts, blood and drug samples using chromatographic techniques, and pharmacokinetic studies have been made. Several bergenin derivatives were isolated and/or synthesized and were found to possess pharmacological activities. Total synthesis of bergenin and its derivatives were reported. This review article covers literature on bergenin and its derivatives until 2013. Ethnomedicinal value of bergenin containing plant materials is also highlighted. This comprehensive review provides information on the potentiality of bergenin and its derivatives for therapeutic usages.

Antinociceptive properties of bergenin

Bergenin (1) is a C-glucoside of 4-O-methylgallic acid with known antiarthritic activity attributed to modulation of cytokine production. The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether 1 has antinociceptive properties in models of inflammatory pain and to investigate its possible mechanisms of action. Pretreatment with 1 (12.5-100 mg/kg, ip) produced a dose-related inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. Furthermore, treatment with 1 (50 and 100 mg/kg) inhibited both the early and late phases in a formalin test. In addition, 1 (50 and 100 mg/kg, ip) inhibited mechanical hyperalgesia, edema, and paw production of hyperalgesic cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) induced by complete Freund's adjuvant. However, the local production of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was not altered by 1 (100 mg/kg, ip). Treatment with 1 produced a similar profile of antinociception in wild-type and IL-10-deficient mice. Mice treated with 1 did not show any motor performance alterations or apparent systemic toxicity. The results presented herein demonstrate that bergenin has consistent antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties, acting by the inhibition of IL-1β and TNF-α production, and suggest its potential for the control of inflammatory pain.