Bergenia ligulata: A Comprehensive Review of Its Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Public Health Potential

Rifat Hasan Rabbi

Bergenia ligulata (Wall.) Engl., commonly known as “Pashanbheda” or “stone breaker,” is a perennial herb of the family Saxifragaceae, widely utilized in South Asian traditional medicine for the prevention and treatment of urinary and renal disorders. This review synthesizes current evidence on its ethnomedicinal relevance, phytochemical composition, pharmacological properties, and potential public health applications. Extensive literature from 2005–2025 was examined following PRISMA guidelines through databases including PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. The phytochemical profile of B. ligulata is dominated by bergenin—a C-glycoside of 4-O-methyl gallic acid—alongside arbutin, gallic acid, catechin, protocatechuic acid, and diverse terpenoids and flavonoids, collectively contributing to its bioactivity. Pharmacological studies indicate that B. ligulata extracts exhibit multifaceted biological effects, notably anti-urolithiatic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective activities. Mechanistically, these effects are mediated through inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallization, modulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways (NF-κB, MAPK), enhancement of diuresis, and preservation of renal tissue integrity. Preclinical evidence strongly supports its traditional use in urolithiasis, though well-designed clinical trials remain scarce. From a public health perspective, B. ligulata holds promise as a cost-effective, culturally acceptable phytotherapeutic agent for urinary stone disease prevention in low- and middle-income regions with limited healthcare access. Standardization of extracts, toxicological validation, and translational clinical studies are essential to advance its integration into evidence-based primary care and herbal pharmacotherapy.