AbstractCONTEXT:The rising problem of resistance to present antimalarial drugs stresses the need to look for newer antiplasmodial components with effective modes of action. The roots of Berberis aristata DC. (Berberidaceae) are used in the traditional medicine for malaria in various parts of India.OBJECTIVE:The objective of this stud was to evaluate antiplasmodial activit of B. aristata roots e!tract for the validation of its traditional medicinal use.MATERIAL AND METHODS:"#ueous root e!tract of Berberis aristata ("$%B") was screened for its in vitro as well as in vivo antiplasmodial activit against lethal rodent malaria parasite &lasmodium berghei '()*. In vitro activit was evaluated against schi+ont maturation of &. berghei using various concentrations ranging from , to ,-- .g/m0. 1or in vivo studies2 "$%B" at the doses of ,*-2 3*-2 4*-2 and )*- mg/kg/d was administered to &. berghei infected B"0B/c mice orall for 5 consecutive das (D-6D4).RESULTS:"$%B" showed in vitro antiplasmodial activit with an IC*- value of 5- .g/m0. In vivo studies demonstrated a variable dose6dependent chemosuppression with higher efficac at lower doses. "t a dose of 4*- mg/kg/d2 the suppressive and preventive activities were found to be )7.,8 and *4.982 respectivel2 followed b enhancing mean survival period up to ,3.: d for the curative assa versus 7.* d for the untreated mice.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:These results provide relevant scientific evidences for the traditional medicinal use of this plant as malariaremed and further advocates the isolation and characteri+ation of active antiplasmodial principle from this plant.KEYWORDS:"ntimalarial drug; Berberidaceae; berberine; parasitaemia suppression; schi+ontocidal activit; traditional medicine