Berberine 黄连素
INGREDIENTS: Chemical found in plants
OTHER NAMES: Alcaloïde de Berbérine, Berberina, Berbérine, Berberine Alkaloid, Berberine Complex, Berberine Sulfate, Sulfate de Berbérine, Umbellatine, 小檗碱
- Overview
- Usage
- Safety
- Interactions
- Dosing
- Others
| Usage | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
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| Proven | Safety |
USAGE AND EFFECTIVENESS
| Usage | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Diabetes |
Effective (Decreases blood sugar levels and regulates metabolism of sugar) Several clinical study showed that berberine may decrease HbA1C (a measure of amount of sugar sticking on red blood cell, a measure of blood sugar control over 4 months), fasting blood sugar and post meal blood sugar; its effects have shown to be superior to pills without active ingredient and may have similar effectiveness as medicines such as metformin (500mg twice to thrice daily) and rosiglitazone (4mg daily) Further analysis of clinical studies showed that usage of berberine with diabetes medication may bring further reduction of HbA1C, fasting blood sugar and post meal blood sugar. More evidence is needed to support wider usage; usage of berberine in diabetic patients should be discussed with their attending health professional(s) |
| High Cholesterol |
Effective (Improve cholesterol level and related measures) Analysis of clinical studies showed berberine may reduce total cholesterol, bad cholesterol and triglycerides, while it may increase good cholesterol; its effect alone may be similar to cholesterol medication (simvastatin) and adding it to cholesterol medicine produce better effect than using cholesterol medicine alone. Please consult your health professional if you intend to take berberine with your medication. |
| High Blood Pressure |
Mild effectiveness (Reduces blood pressure) An analysis of clinical studies showed that berberine may reduce systolic blood pressure (pressure when the heart contracts) by 5mm Hg and diastolic (pressure when heart relaxes) by 2 mm Hg when used with amlodipine (blood pressure medicine), as compared to using amlodipine alone. More evidence is needed on its effect by itself. |
| Burns |
Mild effectiveness (Treat burns) One clinical study showed that usage of ointment containing berberine, beta-sitosterol, sesame oil, and other substances may have similar effect as prescription medicine (silver sulfadiazine cream); more evidence is needed on the effect of berberine alone. |
| Cholera |
Mild effectiveness (Decreases stool volume) One clinical study showed that it may reduce amount of diarrhoea as compared to pills without any active ingredient; in other studies, when berberine is added to antibiotic (tetracycline), it may not decrease diarrhoea any further as compared to taking tetracycline alone; more evidence is needed. |
| Diarrhoea |
Mild effectiveness (Reduce severity) One clinical study suggested that berberine may reduce the amount of stool in diarrhoea caused by E Coli (a type of bacteria) to a greater extent as compared to pills without active ingredient; more evidence is needed |
| Eye Infection |
Mild effectiveness (Might aid in the treatment of the eye infection (trachoma) Several clinical study showed that eye drops containing berberine may be helpful in treating trachoma; more evidence is needed |
| Heart Failure |
Mild effectiveness (Reduces irregular heart rate) One clinical study showed that berberine together with heart failure medication may decrease the incidence and severity of irregular heart beat and death as compared to those receiving heart failure medication only. There is insufficient clinical study and more evidence is needed. |
| Helicobacter Pylori |
Mild effectiveness (Remove bacteria responsible ulcer) One clinical study showed that it may be more effective in removal of Helicobacter pylori than gastric medicine (ranitidine); however, it is less effective in assisting with ulcer healing is not as effective; more evidence is needed |
| Hepatitis B |
Mild effectiveness (Improve liver function test result) One clinical study showed that berberine may decrease blood sugar, fats and markers of liver damage in patients with both diabetes and liver inflammation More evidence is needed |
| Hepatitis C |
Mild effectiveness (Improve liver function test result) One clinical study showed that berberine may decrease blood sugar, fats and markers of liver damage in patients with both diabetes and liver inflammation More evidence is needed |
| Irritable bowel syndrome |
Mild effectiveness (Reduces frequency of diarrhoea, stomach pain and toilet urgency) Only 1 clinical study supporting the above but there are insufficient clinical studies to support more extensive use of berberine; more evidence is needed. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common health problem affecting the large intestine, causing symptoms such as abdominal cramp, bloatedness, gas, and diarrhoea or constipation (or both). |
| Low platelet count |
Mild effectiveness (Increases platelet count) A small clinical study showed that usage of berberine may increase platelet count in patients with low platelet count; more evidence is needed to support more extensive use |
| Mouth Ulcers |
Mild effectiveness (Reduce symptoms)) One clinical study showed that oral preparation containing berberine reduced pain, ulcer size, redness and pus; more evidence is needed to support wider usage |
| Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease |
Mild effectiveness (Reduces fats in blood, liver damage markers, body weight and body mass index). Several clinical studies supporting the above; nevertheless, studies showed that it may not improve blood sugar and cholesterol level; more evidence is needed |
| Obesity |
Mild effectiveness (Weight reduction) Two analysis of clinical studies showed that usage of berberine may reduce weight by about 3 kilogramme; as most clinical studies done were small, more evidence is needed for more extensive use of berberine |
| Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
Mild effectiveness (Improve metabolic issues in women with Polycystic ovary syndrome) Several clinical studies showed that berberine may help to reduce fasting blood sugar, resistance to insulin, total cholesterol, bad cholesterol and waist-hip ratio as compared to pills without any active ingredient. Its effect on increasing probability of pregnancy and live birth might be unclear. More evidence is needed to support wider use of berberine. |
| Radiation-induced diarrhoea |
Mild effectiveness (Reduces frequency of diarrhoea and severity of digestive injury due to radiation) Only 1 clinical study supporting the use of berberine; more evidence is needed |
| Radiation fibrosis |
Mild effectiveness (lower probability of lung damage due to radiation therapy and improves lung functions in lung cancer patients) Only 1 clinical study supporting the above; more evidence is needed |
| Glaucoma |
Unclear effectiveness (Reduction of eye pressure) One study showed that eye drop containing berberine may not reduce the eye pressure; more evidence is needed due to unclear effectiveness |
| Menopause |
Unclear effectiveness (Improve symptom of hot flush) One clinical study showed that usage of berberine together with soy may reduce hot flushes; though it is unclear if berberine alone would be useful. |
| Metabolic Syndrome |
Unclear effectiveness (Improve symptom of hot flush) One clinical study showed that usage of berberine together with soy may reduce hot flushes; though it is unclear if berberine alone would be useful. |
| Ulcerative Colitis |
Unclear effectiveness (Reduce symptoms) A small clinical study showed that berberine may not improve symptoms; more evidence is needed to support or discourage its use |
General Safety
- Generally safe; side effects are generally mild
Pregnant/Breastfeeding Women
- Unsafe to be consumed; cause harm to the fetus and infant and stimulate uterine contractions; do avoid
Children
- Unsafe for consumption in newborns; do avoid
Elderly
- Little data to show it is safe or otherwise; avoid if possible
Special to Note
- None to note.
Contraindications
-
Details:
• May lower blood glucose levels in diabetics individuals.
• May cause brain damage due to high levels of bilirubin in baby's blood.
• May lower blood pressure in hypotensive individuals.
Side Effects
-
Generally safe, side effects include:
• Heart: May cause abnormally fast heart rate.
• Skin: painful swelling at injection site, facial flushing, permanent hyperpigmentation and rash.
• Digestive system: diarrhoea, gas, vomiting, stomach pain, stomach distension, and bitter taste.
• Muscle: mild muscle pain and weakness.
• Brain/Nervous System: headache and mild pricking sensation
• Liver: Increase in certain liver enzyme.
- Medicines
Medium to High severity interactions with high blood pressure medicines, medicines for heart conditions, CNS depressants, immunosuppressants, cough suppressants, sedative medicines, and medicines with substrates interactions - Supplements
Medium to High severity interactions with herbs and supplements with blood thinning, lowering of blood sugar, lowering of blood pressure, sedative effects and probiotics - Food
Medium severity interactions with food such as probiotics - Lab Tests
Interactions with bilirubin test
- Congestive Heart Failure (Adults)
Consume 1.2-2 grams for 8 weeks - Heart Diseases (Adults)
Consume specific combination product (Armolipid plus) containing 200mg red yeast rice, 500mg berbine, 10mg policosanol, 20mg folic acid, 2.0mg coenzyme Q10 and 0.5mg astaxanthin for 3 months - Diabetes(Adults)
Consume 0.9-1.5 grams in two to three separate dosage for 2-4 months daily - Cholera (Adults)
Consume single dose 400mg berbine sulfate - Diarrhoea (Adults)
Consume single dose 400mg berbine sulfate - Helicobacter pylori (Adults)
Consume 300mg berberbine 6 weeks for three times daily; Consume 100mg berberine for 14 days twice daily together with gastric acid medicine and antibiotics - Hepatitis B (Adults)
Consume 1 gram berberine for 2 months daily - Hepatitis C (Adults)
Consume 1 gram berberine for 2 months daily - High Cholesterol (Adults)
Consume 500mg berberine twice daily or 200-500mg three times daily for 6 to 24 months; Consume pecific combination product (Armolipid plus) containing 200mg red yeast rice, 500mg berbine, 10mg policosanol, 20mg folic acid, 2.0mg coenzyme Q10 and 0.5mg astaxanthin for 12 months daily - High Blood Pressure (Adults)
Consume 0.9 grams berberine for 2 months daily together with amlodipine - Metabolic Syndrome (Adults)
Consume 500mg berberine hydrochloride three times daily for 3 months before meals; Consume specific combination product (Armolipid plus) containing 200mg red yeast rice, 500mg berbine, 10mg policosanol, 20mg folic acid, 2.0mg coenzyme Q10 and 0.5mg astaxanthin for up to 12 months - Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease(Adults)
Consume 600mg berberine twice daily for 12 weeks; Consume 500mg berberine three times daily for 16 weeks - Obesity (Adults)
Consume 500mg berberine three times a day for 12 weeks - Osteoporosis (Adults)
Consume 100mg berberine combined with 200mg specific hops constituent, 500 IU vitamin D3, 500mg vitamin K1 twice daily for 14 weeks - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Consume 1.5 grams of berberine hydrochloride in three separate doses for 3-6 months daily - Radiation-induced Diarrhoea (Adults)
Consume berberine 300mg three times daily for two weeks - Radiation Fibrosis (Adults)
Consume 20mg/kg berberine for 6 weeks daily - Low Platelet Count (Adults)
Consume 5mg berberine bisulfate 20 minutes before meals three times daily for 15 days - Eye Infection (Trachoma) (Adults)
Apply berberine 0.2% ophthalamic drops three times daily for 3-8 weeks; Apply berberine 0.5% ophthalamic drops three times daily for 3-8 weeks - Burns (Adults)
Apply moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) containing sesame oil, beta-sitosterol, berberine and other small quantities of plant ingredients every four hours for 20 days - Mouth Ulcers (Adults)
Apply 5mg/gram berberine gel four times daily for 5 days - Trachoma (Children)
Apply berberine 0.2% ophthalamic drops three times daily for 3 months
- General Information
- Berberine is used for heart related disease, diabetes, stroke, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, digestive disorders, and help with viral or bacterial infections
- How does it work?
- Contains chemicals that can inhibit carcinogens, reduce blood sugar levels and antioxidant effects,inhibit cholesterol absorption, protect bone loss, improve heart functions in patients with heart conditions, affect the hormonal system, reduces stomach acid and protect the liver, and reduces diarrhoea, and slows down blood clotting, and relaxes muscles
| Effectiveness Score | What does it mean | Action to be taken by you |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Gold Standard | You should always consider taking this supplement. Do check if your health professional has any objection to you taking this supplement. |
| 4 | Effective | This supplement may be helpful. You may consider taking this. Do consult your health professional if you have any medical condition or if you are taking any medication. |
| 3 | Mildly Effective | This supplement may be mildly helpful. You may consider taking this if the benefit outweighs the risk. Do consult your health professional if you have any medical condition or if you are taking any medication. |
| 2 | Unclear Effectiveness due to Conflicting Results or Limited Benefit | This supplement may not provide a clear benefit to the issue(s) you seek to resolve. Do consult your health professional if you still decide to go ahead to take this. |
| Effectiveness Score | What does it mean | Action to be taken by you |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Gold Standard | You should always consider taking this supplement. Do check if your health professional has any objection to you taking this supplement. |
| 4 | Effective | This supplement may be helpful. You may consider taking this. Do consult your health professional if you have any medical condition or if you are taking any medication. |
| 3 | Mildly Effective | This supplement may be mildly helpful. You may consider taking this if the benefit outweighs the risk. Do consult your health professional if you have any medical condition or if you are taking any medication. |
| 2 | Unclear Effectiveness due to Conflicting Results or Limited Benefit | This supplement may not provide a clear benefit to the issue(s) you seek to resolve. Do consult your health professional if you still decide to go ahead to take this. |
| 1 | Unknown Effectiveness | There is no evidence of benefit for taking this supplement. Do consult your health professional if you still decide to go ahead to take this. |
| 0 | Proven to be Not Effective | Taking this supplement has been proven to be ineffective. Do consult your health professional if you still decide to go ahead to take this. |
| Amount of Medical Evidence | What does it mean | Action to be taken by you |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Proven by One or More Well Designed Analysis of Several Well Designed Medical Studies | You can rest assured that this supplement can do what it claims to do. |
| 4 | Proven by several well designed medical studies | You have good confidence that this supplement will do what it claims to do. |
| 3 | Proven by One Well Designed Medical Study | You have some confidence that this supplement will do what it claims to do. |
| 2 | Proven by One or Several Not Well Designed Medical Studies | There may be doubts about whether this supplement can do what it claims. Consider if this is necessary. |
| 1 | No Study Done or Proven by Weakly Designed Medical Studies | There are many doubts about whether this supplement can do what it claims. Consider if this is necessary. |
| 0 | Proven to be Ineffective or Harmful | You should strongly consider not to use this unless advised by your health professionals. |
| Safety Score | What does it mean | Action to be taken by you |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Safe for Everyone | This supplement is most likely to be safe for you. You may consider taking this. Do consult your health professional if you have any medical condition or if you are taking any medication. |
| 4 | Safe for General Population, with Unknown Effect on Special Population | This supplement is likely to be safe for you, except for certain circumstances. Do consult your health professional if you have any medical condition or if you are taking any medication. |
| 3 | ||
| 2 | Safe for General Population but may be Unsafe for Certain Population or have Certain Rare Side Effect | This supplement may be safe for you if you do not have any medical conditions or concurrent medication. Do consult your health professional before taking it. |
| 1 | Unknown Safety | Unless you are very healthy and have no concurrent medical conditions and medication, you should not take it. Even if safety is not an issue, you should only consider taking it if the benefit is deemed to be more than the risk. Please consult your health professional should you decide to take the supplement. |
| 0 | Unsafe | You must not take this. Please consult your health professional should you decide otherwise. |
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