Various studies have already been performed involving the roots and stems of Berberis aristata DC var aristata (Berberidaceae) and thus the present investigation has been carried out for the phytochemical study of ethanolic extract of the heartwood of Berberis aristata. The drug(1.8kg) was exhaustively extracted in 95% ethanol using Soxhlet apparatus. The column chromatography was performed for isolating the various phytoconstituents using the solvents of increasing polarity. The isolated compounds were structurally elucidated using various spectral data analysis, i.e., IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and positive ion FAB MS. One of the isolated compounds was characterized as Stigmast-5-en-3-ol.
