PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Berula erecta is a medicinal plant with reported antioxidant and anti-Parkinson activities [PMID:39546440], though closely related species like Oenanthe crocata are highly toxic [PMID:657757, PMID:32473868].
Background
Berula erecta is an aquatic plant found in freshwater environments, including karstic rivers [PMID:35736693]. It is phylogenetically related to Sium and Afrocarum [PMID:21642138].
Traditional uses
Berula erecta is traditionally used for the treatment of various human ailments [PMID:39546440].
Active compounds
Phytochemical screening of B. erecta has identified flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, tannin, anthraquinon, phlobatanine [PMID:39546440], and chlorogenic acid [PMID:38891272]. Bioactive compounds such as vitexin and orientin have also been detected [PMID:39546440].
Mechanism of action
B. erecta extracts have demonstrated antioxidant efficacy and anti-Parkinson activity against rotenone-induced Parkinson diseases in rat models [PMID:39546440].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DParkinson's disease (rat model)
B. erecta extracts showed anti-Parkinson and antioxidant efficacy against rotenone-induced dysfunction [PMID:39546440]
Safety & adverse effects
While B. erecta is studied for medicinal use, the closely related Hemlock Water Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) is extremely poisonous [PMID:657757]. Ingestion of O. crocata roots can lead to prolonged convulsions, severe metabolic acidosis, respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, and death [PMID:3671269, PMID:32473868, PMID:4018815].
Evidence summary
Evidence for B. erecta consists primarily of phytochemical analysis and animal-based antioxidant/anti-Parkinson studies (Level D). Safety data is dominated by case reports of severe poisoning from the related species O. crocata (Level D).
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 3671269 (1987) — Hemlock water dropwort poisoning. · Postgraduate medical journal
- 2.PMID: 657757 (1978) — Hemlock water dropwort poisoning--a review. · Clinical toxicology
- 3.PMID: 39546440 (2024) — Phytochemical screening, antioxidant and anti-Parkinson activities of Berula erecta: A novel medicinal plant. · PloS one
- 4.PMID: 38891272 (2024) — The Effect of Combined Elicitation with Light and Temperature on the Chlorogenic Acid Content, Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Berula erecta in Tissue Culture. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
- 5.PMID: 35736693 (2022) — Environmental Gradients Shaping the Freshwater Bryophyte Communities of Croatia (Western Balkans). · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)