Berberine Research
53 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 9/10
Clinical Efficacy of Curcumin, Resveratrol, Silymarin, and Berberine on Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systemic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis
Miao R et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2025)
However, further validation of these findings is necessary through extensive clinical studies with larger sample sizes.© 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- For HbA1c, silymarin was more effective than resveratrol (MD -2.08, 95%Cl -3.50 to -0.72) (P < 0.05).
- For body mass index (BMI), curcumin was more effective than resveratrol (MD -1.27, 95%Cl -2.43 to -0.03) (P < 0.05).
- Curcumin, resveratrol, silymarin, and berberine can effectively improve cardio-metabolic risk factors in T2DM, and different herbal phytochemicals have different clinical advantages.
Effects of berberine and barberry on selected inflammatory biomarkers in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Vahedi-Mazdabadi Y et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2023)
However, more investigation and high-quality evidence must be conducted to obtain more comprehensive and generalizable results.© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- In addition, the non-linear analysis showed a significant lowering effect of berberine/barberry on IL-6 and TNF-α levels in doses <1000 mg/day and less than 5 weeks of intervention.
- There are limitations to our findings, including low-quality studies and significant heterogeneity.
- These interventions might be considered adjunct therapy to managing inflammation status.
Effects of administering berberine alone or in combination on type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Wang Y et al. • Frontiers in Pharmacology (2024)
Berberine alone significantly reduced FPG, 2hPBG, LDL-C, TC, and triglycerides in 50 RCTs.
- 50 studies with 4,150 participants analyzed
- Significant reductions in FPG (-0.59 mmol/L)
- Safe with no increased adverse events
Impact of Berberine or Berberine Combination Products on Lipoprotein, Triglyceride and Biological Safety Marker Concentrations in Patients with Hyperlipidemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Hernandez AV et al. • Journal of dietary supplements (2024)
Berberine, alone or with other nutraceuticals, can provide a modest positive impact on lipid concentrations.
- Products with berberine alone had less robust effects on TC (MD -12.08 mg/dL [95%CI: -21.79 to -2.37]), LDL (MD -9.26 mg/dL [95%CI: -20.31 to 1.78]), and HDL (MD 1.38 mg/dL [95%CI: -1.27 to 4.03]) but TG effects were similar (MD -17.40 mg/dL [95%CI: -32.57 to -2.23]).
- Berberine, alone or with other nutraceuticals, can provide a modest positive impact on lipid concentrations.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The Effect of Berberine Supplementation on Glycemic Control and Inflammatory Biomarkers: An Umbrella Meta-analysis
Zarezadeh M et al. • Clinical Therapeutics (2023)
Umbrella meta-analysis confirms berberine improves glycemic parameters and inflammatory markers.
- Improvements in FBG, insulin, HbA1c, HOMA-IR
- Reduced inflammatory markers IL-6, TNF-α, CRP
- Consistent benefits across multiple meta-analyses
Efficacy and safety of berberine for several cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Yang L et al. • Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2023)
This study suggests that berberine may be a promising alternative for CVDs with no serious adverse reactions.
- Berberine alone significantly reduced National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and intima-media thickness (IMT) levels than routine therapy.
- Berberine plus statins significantly reduced TC, TG, LDL-C, NIHSS score, hs-CRP, TNF-α, IMT, Crouse score, and number of unstable plaques levels than routine or statins.
- This study suggests that berberine may be a promising alternative for CVDs with no serious adverse reactions.
Overall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials
Blais JE et al. • Drugs (2023)
Berberine produces small reductions in LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B, with potential sex-specific effects on HDL cholesterol.
- Eighteen studies (n = 1788 participants), conducted mainly in mainland China and Hong Kong (15 studies [83%]), were included with treatment durations ranging from 4 to 24 weeks.
- Berberine increased HDL cholesterol by 0.06 mmol/L (95% CI 0.00 to 0.11, 15 studies, n = 1471).
- Notably, the effect on HDL cholesterol was different in women (0.11 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.13) from that in men (- 0.07 mmol/L, 95% CI - 0.16 to 0.02).
The clinical efficacy and safety of berberine in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Nie Q et al. • Journal of translational medicine (2024)
This meta-analysis demonstrates berberine's efficacy in improving liver enzymes, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in NAFLD patients.
- This meta-analysis demonstrates berberine's efficacy in improving liver enzymes, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in NAFLD patients.
- These results indicate that berberine shows promise as an adjunct therapy for NAFLD.
- Trial registration The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (No.
Efficacy and safety of berberine plus 5-ASA for ulcerative colitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Li J et al. • PloS one (2024)
BBR demonstrates substantial efficacy in treating UC without causing severe adverse reactions and may serve as a viable complementary therapy.
- BBR considerably improved the clinical efficacy rate (RR = 1.22, 95% CI [1.15, 1.30], P < 0.00001), attenuated the Baron score (SMD = -1.72, 95% CI [-2.30, -1.13], P < 0.00001) and reduced the DAI score (SMD = -2.93, 95% CI [-4.42, -1.43], P < 0.00001).
- Additionally, it ameliorated clinical symptoms (SMD = -2.74, 95% CI [-3.45, 2.02], P < 0.00001), diminished inflammatory responses (SMD = -1.59, 95% CI [-2.14, 1.04], P < 0.00001), and modulated immune reactions (SMD = 1.06,95% CI [0.24,1.87], P <0.00001).
- Nonetheless, the impact of BBR on reducing adverse reactions was not statistically significant (RR = 0.75, 95% CI [0.42, 1.33], P > 0.05).
Glucose-lowering effect of berberine on type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Zhang M et al. • Frontiers in Pharmacology (2022)
Berberine reduced FPG, HbA1c, and 2hPBG without increasing adverse events or hypoglycemia risk.
- 37 studies with 3,048 patients included
- FPG reduced by 0.82 mmol/L
- HbA1c reduced by 0.63%
A network meta-analysis on the comparative effect of nutraceuticals on lipid profile in adults
Osadnik T et al. • Pharmacological research (2022)
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- Evidence for bergamot effect was based on relatively small study group and may require further investigations.
- Policosanols have no effect on the lipid profile.Copyright © 2022 The Authors.
- Published by Elsevier Ltd..
Comparative efficacy of oral insulin sensitizers metformin, thiazolidinediones, inositol, and berberine in improving endocrine and metabolic profiles in women with PCOS: a network meta-analysis
Zhao H et al. • Reproductive health (2021)
Ours is the first study to report that for women with PCOS, myo-inositol combined with D-chiro-inositol and metformin combined with thiazolidinediones appear superior to metformin alone in improving insulin resistance and decreasing total testosterone.
- Compared with metformin, treatment with myo-inositol + D-chiro-inositol was associated with a greater improvement in menstrual frequency (odds ratio 14.70 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.31-93.58]).
- Ours is the first study to report that for women with PCOS, myo-inositol combined with D-chiro-inositol and metformin combined with thiazolidinediones appear superior to metformin alone in improving insulin resistance and decreasing total testosterone.
- Myo-inositol combined with D-chiro-inositol is particularly efficacious in menstrual recovery.
Effects of berberine on blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic literature review and a meta-analysis
Liang Y et al. • Endocrine journal (2019)
The dosage and treatment duration of Berberine and patients' age may modify the effect.
- We calculated weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels.
- The pool data showed that Berberine treatment was associated with a better reduction on FPG (WMD = -0.54 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.77 to -0.30), PPG (WMD = -0.94 mmol/L, 95% CI: -1.27 to -0.61), and HbA1c (WMD = -0.54 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.93 to -0.15) than control groups.
- Subgroup-analyses indicated that effects of Berberine on blood glucose became unremarkable as the treatment lasted more than 90 days, the daily dosage more than 2 g/d and patients aged more than 60 years.
Efficacy and Safety of Berberine Alone or Combined with Statins for the Treatment of Hyperlipidemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials
Zhang LS et al. • The American journal of Chinese medicine (2019)
Higher quality studies are needed to provide more high quality evidence.
- The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with the placebo group, berberine could significantly reduce the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels and elevate the high density lipoprotein level ( P<0.05 ).
- Compared with the simvastatin group, berberine was effective only in reducing the level of triglyceride ( MD=-0.37 , 95% CI: - 0.66, - 0.07, P=0.02 ).
- Compared with the simvastatin group, berberine plus simvastatin was more effective in reducing the level of triglyceride ( MD=-0.33 , 95% CI: - 0.46, - 0.20, P<0.00001 ) and total cholesterol ( MD=-0.36 , 95% CI: - 0.60, - 0.12, P=0.003 ).
Efficacy and safety of berberine for dyslipidaemias: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Ju J et al. • Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2018)
Berberine improves lipid profiles in dyslipidaemias with satisfactory safety.
- Berberine also increased the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) when used alone (MD = 0.08 mmol/l 95% CI [0.03, 0.12], p = 0.001).
- No significant differences were found between groups in terms of incidence of adverse events (RR = 0.64 95% CI [0.31, 1.30], p = 0.22).
- Berberine improves lipid profiles in dyslipidaemias with satisfactory safety.
Meta-analysis of the effect and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia and hypertension
Lan J et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2015)
This study indicates that berberine has comparable therapeutic effect on type 2 DM, hyperlipidemia and hypertension with no serious side effect.
- This study indicates that berberine has comparable therapeutic effect on type 2 DM, hyperlipidemia and hypertension with no serious side effect.
- Considering the relatively low cost compared with other first-line medicine and treatment, berberine might be a good alternative for low socioeconomic status patients to treat type 2 DM, hyperlipidemia, hypertension over long time period.
- Due to overall limited quality of the included studies, the therapeutic benefit of berberine can be substantiated to a limited degree.
Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Plant Extracts on Cognitive Function and Quality of Life in Stroke Patients
Li J et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2025)
Future longer follow-up, larger samples, and more methodologically rigorous randomized controlled trials are recommended to clearly establish the effects of different dosages on cognitive function and quality of life in stroke patients.© 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- John's Wort extract (SUCRA 71.2%) was the most effective in reducing NIHSS scores, Berberine (SUCRA 84.1%) was most effective in reducing mRS scores, and St.
- John's Wort extract (SUCRA 99.1%) showed the highest efficacy in enhancing ADL scores.
- Ginsenosides were the most effective in improving Barthel Index (SUCRA 74.7%), MMSE (SUCRA 93%), and MOCA (SUCRA 79.7%) scores.
Effects of berberine and barberry on anthropometric measures: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Amini MR et al. • Complementary therapies in medicine (2020)
We found a significant reduction in WHR following berberine consumption in adults.
- We found a significant reduction in WHR following berberine consumption in adults.
- Further clinical trials with high quality according to challenges mentioned seem to be helpful to use berberine and barberry as a supplement for certain health conditions, efficiently.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Berberine and health outcomes: an overview of systematic reviews
Shi L et al. • BMC complementary medicine and therapies (2025)
Current evidence suggests that berberine has beneficial effects on a range of health outcomes for people with chronic diseases.
- There was a high overlap of primary studies (CCA > 15%) in the SRs of PCOS, NAFLD, obesity, and schizophrenia.
- Current evidence suggests that berberine has beneficial effects on a range of health outcomes for people with chronic diseases.
- Specifically, berberine significantly improves type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, schizophrenia, metabolic syndrome, and dyslipidemia outcomes.
Berberine derivatives as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase: A systematic review
Singh YP et al. • Chemical biology & drug design (2023)
Structure-activity relationship (SAR) and biological activity provide highlights on the new derivatives used for the management of AD.© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Due to the complex pathophysiology of AD, no specific treatment is available in the market, and treatment is only limited to the symptomatic relief.
- So, there is an urgent need for the development of new drug candidate, which can have disease-modifying effect and improve learning and memory in AD patient.
- Therefore, berberine-based multifunction compounds with potential cholinesterase inhibitory properties were reviewed in this article.