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Herbs & Supplements > Herbs > Berberine

Overview

Berberine

Berberine is a bitter-tasting, yellow, plant alkaloid with a long history of medicinal use in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Berberine is present in the roots, rhizomes and stem bark of various plants including Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Coptis chinensis (coptis or goldenthread), Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape), Berberis vulgaris (barberry), and Berberis aristata (tree turmeric). Berberine has also been used historically as a dye, due to its yellow color.

Clinical trials have been conducted using berberine. There is some evidence to support its use in the treatment of trachomas (eye infections), bacterial diarrhea, and leishmaniasis (parasitic disease). Berberine has also shown antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, helminths (worms), and chlamydia (STD). Future clinical research is warranted in these areas, as well as cardiovascular disease, skin disorders, and liver disorders.

Berberine has been shown to be safe in the majority of clinical trials. However, there is a potential for interaction between berberine and many prescription medications, and berberine should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, due to potential for adverse effects in the newborn.

Evidence Table (Click Here to view Natural Standard evidence-based validated grading rationale™.)

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
Heart failure Preliminary research suggests that berberine, in addition to a standard prescription drug regimen for chronic congestive heart failure (CHF), may improve quality of life and heart function, and improve mortality. Further research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn in this area.	B
Chloroquine-resistant malaria One trial has assessed the use of berberine in combination with pyrimethamine in the treatment of chloroquine-resistant malaria. Well-designed clinical trials are still required in this field.	C
Diabetes (type 2) Historically, berberine has been suggested to aid in glycemic regulation. The safety and effectiveness of berberine for this indication remains unclear. More research is needed in this area.	C
Glaucoma Preliminary study of berberine does not appear to reduce intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. The safety and effectiveness of berberine for this indication remains unclear. Additional study is needed in this area.	C
H. pylori infection Berberine has been compared with antibacterial drugs and ranitidine in stimulation of ulcer healing and Helicobacter pylori clearance. Berberine was suggested to be less effective at ulcer healing than ranitidine, but potentially more effective at Helicobacter pylori clearance. Additional study is needed in this area.	C
Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) Berberine may reduce triglycerides, serum cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol. Higher quality trials are needed before berberine's cholesterol-lowering effect can be established.	C
Infectious diarrhea Berberine has been evaluated as a treatment for infectious diarrhea, including choleric diarrhea, although the data is conflicting. Therefore, there is currently insufficient evidence regarding the efficacy of berberine in the management of infectious diarrhea.	C
Parasitic infection (leishmania) The benefits of berberine in the treatment of leishmaniasis are widely accepted. Berberine is thought to be equally efficacious as the standard drug treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis, antimonite (sulfide mineral), although limited study of this treatment probably limits its widespread use. Additional study is needed to confirm these results.	C
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) Berberine has been shown to significantly increase platelet production in individuals with thrombocytopenia both as monotherapy and adjunctive therapy. Additional human study is needed to confirm these results.	C
Trachoma (eye disease) Berberine has been found to possess antimicrobial properties, and there is limited evidence of anti-inflammatory properties as well. Preliminary evidence suggests that berberine eye preparations may be beneficial for trachoma. However, the safety and efficacy of berberine for this indication remains unclear.	C

Bibliography

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

Abidi P, Zhou Y, Jiang JD, et al. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase-dependent stabilization of hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor mRNA by herbal medicine berberine. Arterioscler.Thromb.Vasc.Biol 2005;25(10):2170-2176. View Abstract

Doggrell SA. Berberine--a novel approach to cholesterol lowering. Expert.Opin.Investig.Drugs 2005;14(5):683-685. View Abstract

Hsiang CY, Wu SL, Cheng SE, et al. Acetaldehyde-induced interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production is inhibited by berberine through nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway in HepG2 cells. J Biomed.Sci 2005;12(5):791-801. View Abstract

Inoue K, Kulsum U, Chowdhury SA, et al. Tumor-specific cytotoxicity and apoptosis-inducing activity of berberines. Anticancer Res 2005;25(6B):4053-4059. View Abstract

Kettmann V, Kosfalova D, Jantova S, et al. In vitro cytotoxicity of berberine against HeLa and L1210 cancer cell lines. Pharmazie 2004;59(7):548-551. View Abstract

Kim HR, Min HY, Jeong YH, et al. Cytotoxic constituents from the whole plant of Corydalis pallida. Arch Pharm Res 2005;28(11):1224-1227. View Abstract

Kim JS, Tanaka H, Shoyama Y. Immunoquantitative analysis for berberine and its related compounds using monoclonal antibodies in herbal medicines. Analyst 2004;129(1):87-91. View Abstract

Kong W, Wei J, Abidi P, et al. Berberine is a novel cholesterol-lowering drug working through a unique mechanism distinct from statins. Nat Med 2004;10(12):1344-1351. View Abstract

Kuo CL, Chi CW, Liu TY. Modulation of apoptosis by berberine through inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 and Mcl-1 expression in oral cancer cells. In Vivo 2005;19(1):247-252. View Abstract

Lin CC, Kao ST, Chen GW, et al. Berberine decreased N-acetylation of 2-aminofluorene through inhibition of N-acetyltransferase gene expression in human leukemia HL-60 cells. Anticancer Res 2005;25(6B):4149-4155. View Abstract

Lin CC, Kao ST, Chen GW, et al. Apoptosis of human leukemia HL-60 cells and murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells induced by berberine through the activation of caspase-3. Anticancer Res 2006;26(1A):227-242. View Abstract

Lin JP, Yang JS, Lee JH, et al. Berberine induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma SNU-5 cell line. World J Gastroenterol. 1-7-2006;12(1):21-28. View Abstract

Mantena SK, Sharma SD, Katiyar SK. Berberine, a natural product, induces G1-phase cell cycle arrest and caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in human prostate carcinoma cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(2):296-308. View Abstract

Quan H, Cao YY, Xu Z, et al. Potent in vitro synergism of fluconazole and berberine chloride against clinical isolates of Candida albicans resistant to fluconazole. Antimicrob.Agents Chemother. 2006;50(3):1096-1099. View Abstract

Wu X, Li Q, Xin H, Yu A, et al. Effects of berberine on the blood concentration of cyclosporin A in renal transplanted recipients: clinical and pharmacokinetic study. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2005;61(8):567-572. View Abstract

Related Terms

Acetone, berberine, barberry, benzophenanthridine alkaloid, berberin, berberin hydrochloride, berberine alkaloid, berberine bisulfate, berberine chloride, berberine complex, berberine hydrochloride, berberine iodide, berberine sulfate, berberine tannate, Berberis aquifolium, Berberis aristata, Berberis vulgaris, Coptis chinensis, coptis, goldenthread, goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis, jiang tang san, Oregon grape, protoberberine, protoberberinium salts, tree turmeric.

Natural Standard Bottom Line Monograph, Copyright © 2009 (www.naturalstandard.com). Commercial distribution prohibited. This monograph is intendedfor informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. You should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

Natural Standard's methodology , editorial board , and grading scales.

While some complementary and alternative techniques have been studied scientifically, high-quality data regarding safety, effectiveness, and mechanism of action are limited or controversial for most therapies. Whenever possible, it is recommended that practitioners be licensed by a recognized professional organization that adheres to clearly published standards. In addition, before starting a new technique or engaging a practitioner, it is recommended that patients speak with their primary healthcare provider(s). Potential benefits, risks (including financial costs), and alternatives should be carefully considered. The below monograph is designed to provide historical background and an overview of clinically-oriented research, and neither advocates for or against the use of a particular therapy.

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Health Glossary

Berberine

Background

Evidence Table (Click Here to view Natural Standard evidence-based validated grading rationale™.)

Tradition

Tradition Theory

Dosing

Safety

Interactions

Attribution

Bibliography

Related Terms