A new review focuses on several studies showing that the plant alkaloidberberine can lower blood glucose as effectively as the drug metformin at similar doses (500 mg, taken 3 times/day), and perhaps even better in some ways.1
Berberine has a wide range of healthful uses that include cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial (it acts against bacterial diarrhea, intestinal parasites, fungal infections, Candida albicans, yeast, and possibly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
Berberine for Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
The hypoglycemic effect of berberine was similar to that of metformin. Metformin is a widely used first-line antidiabetic drug prescribed by doctors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, particularly in the overweight and obese, and those with normal kidney function. Significant changes were observed in the berberine group:
Hemoglobin A1c (glycosylated hemogblobin, an AGE*) decreased from 9.5% to 7.5% (about a 21% reduction)
Fasting blood glucose (FBG) decreased from 190.8 to 124.2 mg/dl
Postprandial blood glucose (PBG) decreased from 356.4 to 199.8 mg/dl
Plasma triglycerides from 100.5 to 79.2 mg/dl
The researchers were surprised that the glucose-lowering effects of berberine were found to be very similar to that of metformin. In fact, it was superior in several ways.
In the second study, 48 adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes were supplemented with berberine in a 3-month trial:
Hemoglobin A1c decreased from 8.1% to 7.3% (about a 10% reduction)
In the first 7 days of treatment, berberine led to a reduction in FBG from 172.8 to 140.4 mg/dl and PBG from 266.4 to 210.6 mg/dl
During the second week, FBG and PBG declined further, reaching a low point that was 38 mg/dl below the baseline of 135 mg/dl for FBG and 60 mg/dl below the baseline of 189 mg/dl for PBG, and remained at these levels thereafter
Fasting plasma insulin was reduced by 28.1%
The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index was reduced by 44.7%
Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were decreased significantl
Berberine Decreases Cholesterol and Triglyceride
Another recent study, covered in the review, showed that berberine benefits type 2 diabetes.3 In this study, 116 patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia were randomly allocated to receive berberine (1 g daily) or placebo for 3 months. In the berberine group,
Hemoglobin A1c decreased from 7.5% to 6.6% (about a 12% reduction)
FBG decreased from 7.0 to 5.6 mm/L (126 to 100.8 mg/dl)
PBG decreased from 12.0 to 8.9 mm/L (216 to 160.2 mg/dl)
Triglycerides decreased from 2.51 to 1.61 mm/L (220 to 141 mg/dl)
Total cholesterol decreased from 5.31 to 4.35 mm/L (205 to 168 mg/dl)
LDL cholesterol decreased from 3.23 to 2.55 mm/L (124.9 to 98.6 mg/dl)
The glucose disposal rate was increased after berberine treatment, although no significant change was found between berberine and placebo groups. Mild to moderate constipation was observed in 5 participants in the berberine group. Transient gastrointestinal adverse effects with berberine were fairly common and may be related to its antimicrobial action. Berberine may be particularly useful in cases involving both type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and possibly infection.
Berberine Offers Antiobesity Effects
Obesity is a major cause of metabolic syndrome and is due to an increase in the number and hypertrophy (volume increase) of adipocytes. But if the differentiation and proliferation of adipocytes is inhibited, then metabolic syndrome may be treated and prevented. A new study investigated the effects of 50 commonly used Kampo (the Japanese study and adaptation of Traditional Chinese medicine) preparations on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to search for a drug with an antiobesity effect.4
Long-term berberine treatment may improve insulin secretion.
These findings suggest that an antiobesity effect could be a new indication for OGT and that its active ingredient is berberine, with a mechanism involving the inhibition of PPARγ and C/EBPα expression. This means that berberine could reduce the size of your fat cells and cut down on their number as well.
Berberine for Memory Too
We should not forget that berberine has also recently been found to enhance memory function in rats. In research done in India, berberine is reported to inhibit cholinesterase (ChE) activity and increase glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) release.5 ChE is the enzyme that breaks down the memory molecule acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is crucial for the important memory activities of focus and concentration. GLP-1, as recent evidence suggests, plays an imperative role in diabetes, along with cognitive dysfunction, learning, and neuroprotection.
The result for berberine was improved learning and memory, with lowered hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and ChE activity.
Plus, berberine is likely to have an antiobesity effect, and to operate as a memory enhancer. Thus, you are less likely to forget the connection that can help cut down on your weight, reduce the likelihood of metabolic syndrome, and possibly help prevent type 2 diabetes, or allow you to live more easily with it, with fewer consequences and better health.
Metfomin can be hard on the kidneys, so use berberine, 500 mg 3 x day instead. And safer than insulin!
References
Steriti R. Berberine for diabetes mellitus type 2. Natural Medicine Journal 2010 October;2(10):5-6.
Yin J, Xing H, Ye J. Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Metabolism May 2008;57(5):712-7.
Zhang Y, Li X, Zou D, et al. Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. J Clin Endocrinol Metab Jul 2008;93(7):2559-65.
Ikarashi N, Tajima M, Suzuki K, Toda T, Ito K, Ochiai W, Sugiyama K. Inhibition of Preadipocyte Differentiation and Lipid Accumulation by Orengedokuto Treatment of 3T3-L1 Cultures. Phytother Res 2011 May 9. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3493. [Epub ahead of print]
Bhutada P, Mundhada Y, Bansod K, Tawari S, Patil S, Dixit P, Umathe S, Mundhada D. Protection of cholinergic and antioxidant system contributes to the effect of berberine ameliorating memory dysfunction in rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Behav Brain Res 2011 Jun 20;220(1):30-41.
Will Block is the publisher and editorial director of Life Enhancement magazine.
