Another study found that berberine has the ability to damage the DNA and protein of certain bacteria. Inflammation Some research suggests that berberine works similarly to the drug metformin, which doctors often prescribe to treat type 2 diabetes. In fact, berberine may have the ability to change the bacteria in the gut, which could help treat both obesity and diabetes. Polycystic ovary syndrome Research has shown that berberine may work as a diabetes treatment. Studies have found that it can have positive effects on:

Preparation and Evaluation of Antidiabetic Agents of - PubMed Preparation and Evaluation of Antidiabetic Agents of - PubMed

The following are conditions that berberine may help treat, according to research. Bacterial infections Fights Inflammation. At the root of many diseases is chronic inflammation—and berberine may be able to help lower it. Research has found that berberine reduces several pro-inflammatory compounds or markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).

Best Berberine Supplement for Weight Loss and Blood Sugar Management: 1st Phorm GDA (Glucose Disposal Agent) Peng, L., et al. (2015). Antibacterial activity and mechanism of berberine against Streptococcus agalactiae. Berberine has also been shown to promote the interaction between retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRα) and nuclear β-catenin; this leads to the Casitas B-lineage lymphoma (c-Cbl)-mediated degradation of β-catenin, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of colon cancer cells ( Ruan etal., 2017). The Effects of Berberine on Other Diseases Another study states that berberine helps treat cancer by interfering with its progression and its typical life cycle. It may also play a role in killing cancer cells.

Berberine A safer hypoglycemic agent for type 2 diabetes—Berberine

Xiaopeng Ai 1,2 Peiling Yu 2 Lixia Peng 1 Liuling Luo 1 Jia Liu 3 Shengqian Li 2 Xianrong Lai 1,3 Fei Luan 1* Xianli Meng 1,4* Zhang, C., et al. (2022). Berberine at sub-inhibitory concentration inhibits biofilm dispersal in Staphylococcus aureus [Abstract]. Berberine activated a population with immune suppressive function, defined as granulocytic‐ myeloid‐derived suppressor cell (G‐MDSC)‐like population, in the liver of mice with alleviating ALD. Berberine remarkably enhanced the increase of G‐MDSC‐like cells in blood and liver and decreased cytotoxic T cells correspondingly. Moreover, berberine changed the overall gut microbial community, primarily increased the abundance of A. muciniphila. Of note, depletion of gut microbiota abolished the inducing effect of berberine on G‐MDSC‐like population, and attenuated its hepatoprotective effect against alcohol in mice, suggesting intestinal flora might be involved in mediating the expansion of this protective population ( Li S. etal., 2020). Patients with ALD have been shown to possess an increased abundance of endotoxin-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and a reduced abundance of SCFAs-producing bacteria, such as Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae. In a previous study, Grander etal. (2018) showed that A. muciniphila, a commensal type of bacteria, was associated with intestinal mucous layer in alcoholic hepatitis. These authors showed that clinical stool samples from patients with alcoholic hepatitis had the lowest relative abundance of A.muciniphila. Further experiments, using a mouse(C57BL/6J) model of ALD, reported improvements in alcohol-associated hepatic disease and intestinal barrier function following the administration of A. muciniphila ( Grander etal., 2018). Other studies have shown that berberine can regulate SCFA-producing bacteria ( Wang etal., 2017). Human and animal experiments in ALD and cirrhosis have further demonstrated that probiotics, including Lactobacillaceae spp. can improve the outcomes of these diseases ( Han etal., 2015). Plus, this brand is family-owned, uses a GMP-certified facility, and undergoes third-party testing for their products. What Does Berberine Do In the Body?Tabeshpour, J., et al. (2017). A review of the effects of Berberis vulgaris and its major component, berberine, in metabolic syndrome. A systematic review found that berberine has promise as a treatment for PCOS with insulin resistance. However, the authors state that confirming these effects will require further studies. Cancer Research suggests that berberine has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it could help treat diabetes and other inflammation-related health conditions. Diabetes

Berberine: A Powerful Supplement with Many Benefits - Healthline

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) occurs when a female has high levels of certain male hormones. The syndrome is a hormonal and metabolic imbalance that can lead to infertility and other health issues. The global obesity epidemic is prompting significant efforts to identify host and environmental factors that affect energy balance in the human body. For example, Turnbaugh etal. reported that host obesity is related to an increase in the intestinal F:B ratio ( Turnbaugh etal., 2006). Berberine has been shown to revert the structural changes in the GM induced by a high-fat diet and regulate diversity in the GM. Berberine has also been shown to change 134 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that were identified by nearest shrunken centroids analysis in obese rats induced by a high-fat diet, and was also associated with changes in obesity phenotypes. Sixty of the 134 OTUs were significantly increased with berberine treatment, particularly those belonging to putative SCFA-producing bacteria, including Allobaculum, Bacteroides, Blautia, Butyricicoccus, and Phascolarctobacterium. Berberine has an antibacterial action that seems to remove the harmful bacteria in the gut, and thus enhance the growth of healthy bacteria. To better understand the poor absorption of berberine in vivo, some researchers have paid more attention to the excretion of berberine via the digestive tract. Berberine was found in feces with a recovery rate of 22.74% after a single oral dose (200mg/kg) in 48h, and thalifendine was the most abundant berberine metabolite excreted in the bile, urine, and feces in rats ( Ma et al., 2013). In another study, 18.6% of the berberine was excreted in feces as berberrubine after intragastric administration at a single dose of 48.2mg/kg. The total recovery of berberine and its metabolites from the urine, bile, and feces was 41.2% in rats ( Feng et al., 2021). To summarize, berberine and its metabolites are mainly excreted by the kidneys (urine and feces) and bile in rats and mice ( Liu et al., 2016). Effects of Berberine on Vascular DiseasesThe global health burden of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, and complications of diabetes, is rapidly increasing ( Al Rifai et al., 2021; Ji et al., 2021; Riccardi et al., 2021). Epidemiological surveys have shown that the increasing cost of vascular diseases worldwide compromises quality of life for individuals ( Liss et al., 2021). In addition, a broad variety of factors, including inflammation, vascular dysplasia, oxidative stress, and abnormal lipid metabolism, cause vascular diseases ( Guzik and Touyz, 2017; Feng et al., 2020). Hence, strategies aiming to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress and normalize the lipid metabolism are generally used to treat and prevent the vascular diseases, and statins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and novel biological agents are common therapeutic agents ( Oesterle et al., 2017; Lu et al., 2018; Doña et al., 2020). However, the high cost and side effect profiles of these drugs make finding cheaper alternatives with fewer side effects and similar or better therapeutic outcomes a matter of urgency. Therapies used in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) have long been used as complementary and alternative medicines for the treatment of vascular disease in China ( Cheng et al., 2017; Li et al., 2018b). Recently, these have garnered research interest owing to fewer adverse reactions and lower toxicities of these compounds compared with those identified and used in western medicine ( Xie et al., 2019; Oduro et al., 2020; Atanasov et al., 2021). Undeniably, TCM has made an indelible contribution to human health and is considered a potential source of therapies derived from natural, rather than synthetic, sources. Therefore, there is an increased emphasis on the use of medicinal plants such as those used in TCM in the development of novel drugs.

Berberine on the Gastrointestinal Microbiota - PMC Effects of Berberine on the Gastrointestinal Microbiota - PMC

May Improve Brain Health. Berberine can cross the highly selective blood-brain barrier and facilitate the clearing of dysfunctional neurons by inducing autophagy—our body’s way of removing or recycling damaged cells and cell parts. While we don’t have research looking at the effects of berberine in humans with Alzheimer’s disease, a review of 15 animal studies found that berberine significantly improved memory in animals with cognitive impairment. Similarly, a review of 14 studies found that berberine lowered blood sugar levels and seemed to be as effective as common blood sugar medications, including metformin (Glucophage), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and glipizide (Glucotrol) ( 3). One review reported that people who took 750 milligrams (mg) of barberry twice a day for 3 months had a significant decrease in weight. Barberry is a plant that contains high amounts of berberine. Berberine can enrich the population of butyrate-producing bacteria in the GM ( Wang etal., 2017b). Butyrate-induced upregulation of GLP-1 and PYY may be important in preventing or treating obesity and insulin resistance ( Vidrine etal., 2014). Treatments with butyrate or increasing butyrate productions have been shown to prevent or attenuate obesity and insulin resistance ( Li M. etal., 2016; Li X. et al., 2016; Goldsmith etal., 2017; Zhang etal., 2017). Butyrate has also been shown to increase B-adrenergic receptor profiles in adipocytes, which occurs via HDACi activity, a similar mechanism for upregulating fatty acid oxidation may occur in white adipose tissue ( McNabney and Henagan, 2017). The HDACi activity of butyrate has also been associated with its ability to prevent adipose tissue inflammation, a contributing factor to insulin resistance during obesity ( Ding etal., 2000; Wang etal., 2015). N-(1-carbamoyl-2-phenyl-ethyl) butyramide (FBA), a synthetic more palatable derivative of butyrate, in mice fed the HFD reduces hepatic fat accumulation and decreases metabolic/mitochondrial efficiency, counteracting obesity, IR, and inflammation ( Mollica etal., 2017). Elevation of SCFA availability by increasing dietary fiber intake or diet supplementation with butyrate may prevent the development of metabolic disarrangements and the insulin resistance associated with obesity ( Galisteo etal., 2008; Nilsson etal., 2010). The Effects of Berberine on Hyperlipidemia If berberine can help treat cancer, inflammation, diabetes, and other conditions, it may be because of a beneficial effect on gut microbiota, according to some research published in 2020. Scientists have found links between the gut microbiome — colonies of bacteria in the gut — and these conditions.

Conclusions

Lee, Y. S., et al. (2006). Berberine, a natural plant product, activates AMP-activated protein kinase with beneficial metabolic effects in diabetic and insulin-resistant states. Acts As an Antioxidant. Berberine benefits health by acting as an antioxidant, which helps to fight oxidative stress—an accumulation of harmful compounds (like free radicals and reactive oxygen species) that damage cells, proteins, and DNA. Oxidative stress is a leading contributor to accelerated aging and chronic disease—and compounds like berberine may be able to help neutralize the harm. According to an older review of 14 studies, berberine may be as effective as certain oral diabetes drugs, including metformin, glipizide, and rosiglitazone ( 12). A. muciniphila is a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium that is selectively reduced in the fecal microbiota of patients with colitis or colitis-associated cancer (CAC). amuc_1100 is a special protein that can be isolated from the outer membrane of A. muciniphila. Once isolated, amuc_1100 still exerts biological activity and plays a beneficial role at the temperature used for pasteurization. A. muciniphila or amuc_1100 has been shown to alleviate colitis and CAC, reduce CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes (cTls), and the infiltration of macrophages in the colon, and may therefore represent a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of colitis and CRC ( Wang etal., 2020). However, research has shown that the population of Akkermansia was significantly increased in a mouse model (BALB/c) of CAC fed a high-fat diet ( Wu etal., 2016). The Apc min/+ mouse model (C57BL/6J) has a tumorigenic phenotype and can develop intestinal tumors; research has shown that high-fat diet could accelerate the process of carcinogenesis. Berberine has been shown to significantly reduce intestinal-tumor development and cause changes in the structure of the GM in Apc min/+ mice (C57BL/6J) fed on a high-fat diet ( Wang etal., 2018). Berberine can clearly inhibit the increased abundance of Verrucomicrobia at the phylum level. At the genus level, berberine can suppress Akkermansia and increase the abundance of some SCFA-producing bacteria ( Wang etal., 2018). Research carried out over the last few years indicates that the GM represents an important factor for the regulation of body health and may be closely related to the pathogenesis of obesity ( Walker and Parkhill, 2013), diabetes mellitus (DM), inflammation ( Kamada etal., 2013), cardiovascular diseases and cancer ( Louis etal., 2014), and other diseases ( Round and Mazmanian, 2009). The GM is composed of several phyla, including Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Actinobacteria, Fusobacteria, and Cyanobacteria et al ( Sekirov etal., 2010). Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes are known to represent the main components of the GM. An imbalance in the ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes (F:B) in the GM has been associated with several diseases ( Gao etal., 2017). Recent evidence also suggests that the GM plays a role in homeostasis and may exert positive influence on immune responses and prevent the development of inflammatory diseases. Berberine has been shown to affect the bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the GM ( Wang etal., 2017b). Research has also shown that SCFA-producing bacteria benefit the host by protecting the mucosa from damage induced by pathogens, by providing colonocyte nutrients, and by mitigating inflammation ( Maslowski etal., 2009). The Effects of Berberine on the GM