An Analytical Study of Berberine

Berberine, an alkaloid, has unique pharmacological properties as well as unusual chemical and physical characteristics. This compound has been used for many years as a remedy for eye diseases. In contrast to most alkaloids, berberine hydroxide is more soluble than its salts. Its chemical structure has been established, but a correlations of many of its properties and its structures has not been made. The purpose of this work was to undertake an analytical study of berberine, hoping to collect data which would make possible the correlation of certain properties of the compound with its structure. The study was planned to included reactions involving electro-reducible groups present in the molecule and was to be executed primarily by polargraphic and spectrophotometric methods