Berberine has been getting quite a bit of attention these days in the holistic health community. If you’re not familiar with it, berberine is an isoquinolone alkaloid isolated from the bark, roots, rhizome, and stems of plants of the genus Berberis, such as goldenseal, Oregon grape, and barberry. It has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to treat diarrhea, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol.)

Antibiotic Action

Berberine has also been used in both Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine for hundreds of years as an effective treatment for bacterial infections. Recent studies have shown that berberine can enhance efficacy of antibiotics against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. 

Antiviral Action

Berberine, a naturally occurring plant alkaloid, is one of the phytochemicals with a broad range of biological activity, including antiviral activity. Berberine targets different steps in the viral life cycle and is therefore a good candidate for use as an antiviral therapy. It has been shown that berberine reduces virus replication and targets specific interactions between the virus and its host. 

A Prebiotic

Berberine also acts as a prebiotic in the intestinal tract. In the intestine, it reduces inflammation by regulating the intestinal microbiota and promoting the production of butyrate by the strains of bacteria.  Butyrate, a four-carbon short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) is produced through microbial fermentation of dietary fibers in the lower intestinal tract. Recent studies have found that butyrate or butyrate-producing microbes are associated with less severe symptoms from a long list of chronic inflammation-related conditions. Butyrate feeds the cells lining the colon, promotes a healthy gut barrier, and prevents leaky gut.  This keeps bacterial products from crossing into the blood and brain and causing inflammation.  

Lowers Cholesterol

Berberine has also been found to lower cholesterol. It does this using a different mechanism than statins medications by upregulating the expression of LDL receptors (LDLR) on hepatocytes. Hepatocytes are important cells in the liver involved in many liver functions, including lipid metabolism.

Studies have shown that berberine reduces triglycerides, LDL and total cholesterol. In one study, 32 patients who were not receiving other cholesterol-lowering medications were given berberine 500 mg twice daily for three months. In these patients, a 25% reduction in LDL, a 35% reduction in triglycerides, and a 29% reduction in total cholesterol were seen.

Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

Emerging research has also shown berberine can be effective in treating type 2 diabetes because of its blood-sugar-lowering properties. In addition, berberine has been shown to aid in weight loss by significantly reducing leptin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Leptin is a hormone that helps your body maintain your normal weight on a long-term basis. It does this by regulating hunger by providing the sensation of satiety (feeling full.)

Berberine studies have revealed it can also decrease hemoglobin A1c levels. In a randomized trial of 116 patients with newly-diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the effects of berberine (500 mg, twice daily) compared to placebo were examined. After three months, study participants receiving berberine had significant reductions in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c, reducing from 7.5% to 6.6%).

Berberine has also been shown to decrease insulin resistance, making the blood sugar-lowering hormone insulin more effective. Insulin resistance is a condition when the body’s cells stop responding properly to insulin.

Anti-Cancer Potential

The most promising news with regard to berberine is its anticancer potential. It has been reported in several studies regarding colon, breast, pancreatic, liver, oral, bone, cutaneous, prostate, intestine, and thyroid cancer, that berberine prevents cancer cell proliferation.

Side Effects and Warnings

Common side effects of berberine include diarrhea, constipation, gas, and upset stomach.

Do not take berberine if you are pregnant or nursing. Check with your health care provider before taking berberine if you are diabetic or are currently taking prescription medications.