Bergenia Root Extract
Also known as: Bergenia root extract, Paashaanbhed, Bergenia ciliata, Bergenia crassifolia, Bergenia himalaica, Bergenia ligulata
Overview
Bergenia root extract is primarily derived from the rhizomes and roots of Bergenia ligulata and related species, a plant traditionally used in South Asian medicine. It is known as "Paashaanbhed" in traditional systems like Ayurveda, where it's applied for urinary tract disorders, kidney stones, inflammation, diabetes, and liver protection. The extract contains bioactive compounds such as bergenin, arbutin, (+)-afzelechin, and hydroquinone derivatives, which are believed to be responsible for its therapeutic effects. While preclinical studies, mainly in animal models, show promising results for its antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and hepatoprotective properties, high-quality human clinical trials are limited. The current research maturity is moderate, with a strong foundation in ethnopharmacology and in vitro/animal studies, but a need for more robust human data to establish clinical efficacy and safety.
Benefits
Bergenia root extract demonstrates several potential benefits, primarily supported by preclinical research. It exhibits significant antidiabetic effects, particularly in diabetic rat models, by inhibiting α-glucosidase, which helps reduce blood glucose levels and postprandial glucose spikes. Strong evidence from animal and cell models also supports its anti-inflammatory activity, where it reduces inflammatory markers like succinate dehydrogenase and NF-κB, likely through the action of bergenin. The extract has shown diuretic properties in rats, increasing urine output and electrolyte excretion, thus supporting its traditional use for urinary tract health. Furthermore, it possesses hepatoprotective effects, evidenced by its ability to lower elevated liver enzymes (SGPT, SGOT, ALP) and bilirubin in rat models, suggesting liver protection. Antipyretic activity has also been observed in animal models at specific doses. While these benefits are promising, the strength of evidence is largely from animal and in vitro studies, with limited human clinical data.
How it works
Bergenia root extract exerts its effects through various mechanisms, primarily mediated by its bioactive compounds like bergenin and (+)-afzelechin. Its antidiabetic action is largely attributed to the inhibition of α-glucosidase, an enzyme responsible for carbohydrate breakdown, thereby reducing glucose absorption and subsequent blood sugar spikes. The anti-inflammatory properties stem from its ability to downregulate key inflammatory pathways, including MAPK, OPN, and NF-κB, which leads to a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes. Diuretic effects are achieved by increasing the renal excretion of ions such as Na^+, K^+, and Cl^−, which in turn enhances urine volume. The hepatoprotective activity may involve antioxidant mechanisms and the stabilization of liver cell membranes, which helps to prevent the leakage of liver enzymes and protect against cellular damage.
Side effects
Preclinical studies on Bergenia root extract have generally reported no significant toxicity at tested doses, with animal studies showing safety up to 1 g/kg in rats. However, due to the limited number of human clinical trials, common side effects in humans are not well documented, and comprehensive safety data for human consumption are insufficient. No major drug interactions or contraindications have been widely reported in the existing literature. Despite the apparent safety in animal models, caution is advised for individuals with pre-existing kidney or liver impairment, as human safety data in these populations are lacking. Until more robust human safety data become available, it is prudent to use this extract under medical supervision, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions or those taking other medications. The long-term safety profile in humans also remains to be fully elucidated.
Dosage
Currently, there are no established minimum effective or maximum safe dosages for Bergenia root extract in humans due to the lack of robust randomized controlled trials. Animal studies have utilized a wide range of doses, typically from 25 to 1000 mg/kg body weight. For instance, an antipyretic effect was observed in rats at 500 mg/kg, while hepatoprotective effects were noted at doses that appear to be typographical errors in some sources (e.g., 25–35 g/kg, likely intended as mg/kg). Human equivalent doses can be estimated from animal data but are not clinically standardized or validated. Extracts are commonly administered orally, with ethanolic extracts being a frequent form used in research. Without human clinical data, specific timing considerations or different dosages for various purposes cannot be definitively recommended. Users should exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before use, as upper limits and safety thresholds for human consumption are undefined.
FAQs
Is Bergenia root extract effective for diabetes?
Preclinical evidence suggests it can lower blood glucose by inhibiting α-glucosidase, but human clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy in people with diabetes.
Is Bergenia root extract safe for human consumption?
Animal studies indicate safety at tested doses, but comprehensive human safety data are insufficient. Caution is advised, especially for those with kidney or liver issues.
How long does it take to see effects from Bergenia root extract?
Animal studies show effects within days to weeks, but the timeline for observable effects in humans is currently unknown dueed to limited clinical research.
Can Bergenia root extract replace my standard medications?
No, there is no clinical evidence to support replacing standard medications. It may be considered as a complementary therapy only under strict medical supervision.
Research Sources
- https://psr.crcjournals.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Integrative-Ethnopharmacological-Evaluation-of-Jawarish-e-Falafali-A-Systematic-Review-and-Meta-Analysis-of-Phytochemistry-Mechanisms-and-Future-Research-Directions.pdf – This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the ethnopharmacological uses of Bergenia ligulata root extracts, confirming the presence of bioactive compounds with antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic activities. It highlighted the need for further clinical trials to validate these findings in humans.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7730924/ – This comprehensive review detailed the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the Bergenia genus. It reported significant antidiabetic, diuretic, and hepatoprotective effects in various animal models, providing mechanistic insights into these actions, but noted the absence of human RCTs.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9611975/ – This experimental study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antipyretic activities of an ethanolic Bergenia root extract in rat models. It utilized biochemical markers and histopathology to show dose-dependent effects and emphasized the necessity for clinical validation of these findings.
- https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Evaluation-of-ethanolic-extract-of-root-of-Bergenia-Singh-Juyal/d4f9c8505aea09359ce0d908c77477ae8faa5ff6 – This study evaluated the effects of an ethanolic extract of Bergenia root, comparing its pharmacological activities with standard drugs in animal models. The findings reinforced traditional claims by showing significant pharmacological effects, further supporting the potential therapeutic uses of the extract.
