This monograph explains the role of fermentation in the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines. Berberine, an alkaloid was identified by X-ray crystallography as an inhibitor of phospholipase A2, an enzyme involved in inflammatory response. It was subjected to biotransformation by microorganisms and the product exhibited almost 30% enhanced inhibition of phospholipase A2 compared to the native alkaloid. The crystal structure showed that the product, dihydroxy berberine, binds at the active site of the enzyme in a longitudinally inverted orientation of the binding of the native molecule. The inert...