Sankezhen(Berberidis Radix) is a traditional Chinese materia medica,cold in nature and bitter in taste,for treating syndromes of liver,stomach,and large intestinal meridians,in which berberine and berbamine are the major pharmacological components.Sankezhen has been readmitted in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010 following the 1977 version as the roots of Berberis spp.e.g.B.soulieana,B.wilsonae,B.poiretii,B.vernae,etc.Recent studies showed that Berberis spp.were potential phytomedicines with multiple spectrums therapeutic effects and various pharmaceutical parts.Here we reviewed Sankezhen in traditional use and phytochemistry,and its major active components berberine and berbamine with potential bioactivities recently discovered,such as antitumor,antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic,anti-arrhythmic,and neuro-protective activities.It is necessary to mature the quality assessment of Sankezhen as a new admission of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010.Other parts of Berberis spp.should be investigated to better develop this herb in medicinal usage. Sankezhen (Berberidis Radix) is a traditional Chinese materia medica, cold in nature and bitter in taste, for treating syndromes of liver, stomach, and large intestinal meridians, in which berberine and berbamine are the major pharmacological components. Sankezhen has been readmitted in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010 following the 1977 version as the roots of Berberis spp. Eg Bouslielieana, B. wilsonae, B. poiretii, B.vernae, etc.Recent studies showed that Berberis spp.were potential phytomedicines with multiple spectrums therapeutic effects and various pharmaceutical parts. Here we reviewed Sankezhen in traditional use and phytochemistry, and its major active components berberine and berbamine with potential bioactivities recently discovered, such as antitumor, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-arrhythmic, and neuro-protective activities. It is necessary to mature the quality assessment of Sankezhen as a new admission of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010. Of parts of Berberis spp.should be investigated to bett er develop this herb in medicinal usage.