berberine

[Lat. berber(is), and Eng. suffix- ine.] Chem. C21H19NO5. A feeble base, slightly soluble in water, extracted from the root of Berberis vulgar is. It crystallises in yellow needles. It is a bitter powder, and has been used in India, in the treatment of fevers, as a substitute for quinine. It is, however, inferior to quinine in its effects.