Berberina

Related Terms

Acetone, barberry, benzophenanthridine alkaloid, berberin, berberin hydrochloride, berberine alkaloid, berberine bisulfate, berberine chloride, berberine complex, berberin hydrochloride, berberine hydrochloride, berberine iodide, berberine sulfate, berberine sulfate trihdyrate, berberine tannate, Berberis aquifolium, Berberis aristata, Berberis vulgaris, Coptis chinensis, coptis, goldenseal, goldenthread, Hydrastis canadensis, isoquinoline alkaloid, jiang tang san, levo-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP), Oregon grape, protoberberine, protoberberinium salts, rhizoma Coptis chinesnsis, tetrohydorprotoberberine, tree turmeric.

Background

Berberine is a bitter-tasting, yellow compound found in plants. It has a long history of medical use in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Berberine is found in the roots and stem bark of many plants, including goldenseal, coptis or goldenthread, Oregon grape, barberry, and tree turmeric. Berberine has also been used as a yellow dye.
There is some evidence to support the use of berberine for eye infections, bacterial diarrhea, and some parasite infections (leishmaniasis). Berberine may also protect against viruses, fungi, protozoans, worms, and chlamydia. More research is needed in these areas, as well as heart disease, skin disorders, and liver disorders.
Berberine is generally thought safe. However, it may interact with many prescription medications. Berberine should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, due to the risk of problems in the newborn.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Berberine may help improve blood sugar control. It has been studied in people who have diabetes. Although findings appear promising, more research is needed to compare the benefits of berberine with other diabetes treatments.

 B


Berberine may help improve blood sugar control. It has been studied in people who have diabetes. Although findings appear promising, more research is needed to compare the benefits of berberine with other diabetes treatments.

 B


Early research suggests that a combination treatment including berberine may improve heart function and quality of life in people with congestive heart failure (CHF). More research is needed before a firm conclusion can be made on the safety and effectiveness of this therapy.

 B


Early research suggests that a combination treatment including berberine may improve heart function and quality of life in people with congestive heart failure (CHF). More research is needed before a firm conclusion can be made on the safety and effectiveness of this therapy.

 B


Berberine applied to the skin as part of an ointment has been found to benefit people with second-degree burns. The treatment has been compared to standard wound dressing changes in terms of healing time and rate of bacterial infection. Although promising, more high-quality research is needed on the effects of berberine alone.

 C


Berberine applied to the skin as part of an ointment has been found to benefit people with second-degree burns. The treatment has been compared to standard wound dressing changes in terms of healing time and rate of bacterial infection. Although promising, more high-quality research is needed on the effects of berberine alone.

 C


A form of berberine may benefit people addicted to heroin by decreasing dependence, reducing cravings, and easing the withdrawal process. More high-quality research is needed in this area.

 C


A form of berberine may benefit people addicted to heroin by decreasing dependence, reducing cravings, and easing the withdrawal process. More high-quality research is needed in this area.

 C


Berberine has been studied for glaucoma, an eye condition that leads to damage of the optic nerve. However, the safety and effectiveness of berberine are unclear. More research is needed.

 C


Berberine has been studied for glaucoma, an eye condition that leads to damage of the optic nerve. However, the safety and effectiveness of berberine are unclear. More research is needed.

 C


Early research has compared berberine to standard antibacterial drugs for the treatment of H. pylori. Berberine may be less effective than some of these drugs for ulcer healing, but may be more effective for clearing H. pylori infection. The safety and effectiveness of berberine for this condition remains unclear. More high-quality research is needed in this area.

 C


Early research has compared berberine to standard antibacterial drugs for the treatment of H. pylori. Berberine may be less effective than some of these drugs for ulcer healing, but may be more effective for clearing H. pylori infection. The safety and effectiveness of berberine for this condition remains unclear. More high-quality research is needed in this area.

 C


A combination product containing berberine was found to lack an effect on blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. Further study on berberine alone is needed.

 C


A combination product containing berberine was found to lack an effect on blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. Further study on berberine alone is needed.

 C


In early studies, berberine both used alone and in combination with other treatments has been found to help lower cholesterol. However, the evidence is mixed. Higher quality trials on the use of berberine alone are needed.

 C


In early studies, berberine both used alone and in combination with other treatments has been found to help lower cholesterol. However, the evidence is mixed. Higher quality trials on the use of berberine alone are needed.

 C


Berberine has been studied as a treatment for infectious diarrhea. However, the overall evidence is mixed. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Berberine has been studied as a treatment for infectious diarrhea. However, the overall evidence is mixed. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Early research in people with type 2 diabetes and liver conditions suggests that berberine may have health benefits. However, more high-quality research is needed in this area before any firm conclusions may be made.

 C


Early research in people with type 2 diabetes and liver conditions suggests that berberine may have health benefits. However, more high-quality research is needed in this area before any firm conclusions may be made.

 C


Berberine has been shown to increase platelet production in people who have low blood platelets, both alone and in combination with other therapies. More research is needed.

 C


Berberine has been shown to increase platelet production in people who have low blood platelets, both alone and in combination with other therapies. More research is needed.

 C


Early study suggests that a combination treatment including berberine may benefit people who have drug-resistant malaria. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.

 C


Early study suggests that a combination treatment including berberine may benefit people who have drug-resistant malaria. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.

 C


Berberine has been studied for symptoms of menopause. However, further research is needed in this field.

 C


Berberine has been studied for symptoms of menopause. However, further research is needed in this field.

 C


Armolipid Plus?, a treatment that contains berberine, has been found to improve heart health measures in people with metabolic syndrome. Further study is needed on berberine alone.

 C


Armolipid Plus?, a treatment that contains berberine, has been found to improve heart health measures in people with metabolic syndrome. Further study is needed on berberine alone.

 C


Berberine is widely accepted as a treatment for the parasite infection leishmaniasis. Berberine may be as effective as standard drugs for this condition. However, more research is needed to support these findings.

 C


Berberine is widely accepted as a treatment for the parasite infection leishmaniasis. Berberine may be as effective as standard drugs for this condition. However, more research is needed to support these findings.

 C


Early research suggests that berberine may improve health in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, compared to standard drugs. However, research is limited in this area and further studies are needed before any firm conclusions may be made.

 C


Early research suggests that berberine may improve health in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, compared to standard drugs. However, research is limited in this area and further studies are needed before any firm conclusions may be made.

 C


Studies have looked at the effects of berberine on bone health in women undergoing menopause. Although early evidence suggests promising bone protective effects, the impact of berberine alone is unclear at this time. More high-quality research on the effects of berberine alone is needed in this area before any firm conclusions may be made.

 C


Studies have looked at the effects of berberine on bone health in women undergoing menopause. Although early evidence suggests promising bone protective effects, the impact of berberine alone is unclear at this time. More high-quality research on the effects of berberine alone is needed in this area before any firm conclusions may be made.

 C


Early evidence suggests that berberine may reduce lung and intestine damage caused by radiation in people with cancer. Although promising, research is limited and more high-quality studies are needed.

 C


Early evidence suggests that berberine may reduce lung and intestine damage caused by radiation in people with cancer. Although promising, research is limited and more high-quality studies are needed.

 C


Berberine has been found to be effective for trachoma, a type of eye infection. However, more research is needed on the safety of berberine for this condition.

 C


Berberine has been found to be effective for trachoma, a type of eye infection. However, more research is needed on the safety of berberine for this condition.

 C


Early research suggests that berberine may promote weight loss and lower cholesterol in obese people. Well-designed study is needed.

 C


Early research suggests that berberine may promote weight loss and lower cholesterol in obese people. Well-designed study is needed.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
For type 2 diabetes, berberine or berberine hydrochloride have been taken by mouth in doses of 0.5-0.6 grams, 2-3 times daily for 2-3 months.
For heroin addiction, levo-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP, a form of berberine) has been taken by mouth in doses of 30 milligrams twice daily for one month.
For H. pylori infection, 300 milligrams of berberine has been taken by mouth three times daily for six weeks.
For high cholesterol, 0.5 grams of berberine has been taken by mouth twice daily for three months. Doses of 300-500 milligrams of berberine or berberine hydrochloride have been taken by mouth 1-3 times daily for one month.
For infectious diarrhea, 400 milligrams of berberine sulfate has been taken by mouth as a single dose.
For liver disease in diabetics, 0.6 grams of berberine has been taken by mouth twice daily for 12 weeks.
For weight loss, 500 milligrams of berberine has been taken by mouth three times a day for twelve weeks.
For polycystic ovarian syndrome, 500 milligrams of berberine hydrochloride has been taken by mouth three times daily for three months.
For damage caused by radiation, 20-300 milligrams per kilogram of berberine has been taken by mouth 1-3 times daily for 5-6 weeks.
For low platelet counts, 5 milligrams of berberine bisulfate has been taken by mouth three times daily (20 minutes before meals) for 15 days.
For heart failure, an infusion of berberine at a dose of 0.2 milligrams per kilogram per minute has been injected into the vein for 30 minutes.
For glaucoma, eye drops containing 2.5 milligrams of berberine hydrochloride have been applied to the eyes.
For trachoma eye infection, 0.2 percent berberine eye drops have been applied to the eyes for eight weeks.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Berberine may affect the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Berberine may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Berberine may affect blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Berberine may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be altered in the blood, and may cause altered effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. People using any medications should check the package insert, and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
Berberine may also interact with 1,3-bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitosurea (BCNU), acetaminophen, acetylcholine, agents for abnormal heart rhythms, agents for kidney disorders, agents for mental disorders, agents that are toxic to the liver, antibiotics, anticancer agents, anti-inflammatory agents, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), cholesterol-lowering agents, COX-2 inhibitors, cyclosporine, dexamethasone, dextromethorphan, fluconazole, heroin, losartan, L-phenylephrine, metformin, midazolam, neostigmine (Prostigmin?), pentobarbital, P-glycoprotein inhibitors, sedatives, simvastatin, strychnine, vasopressors, weight loss agents, and yohimbine.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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