Berberine

About Berberine

Berberine is a bright yellow isoquinoline alkaloid found in the roots and bark of plants including barberry Berberis, goldthread Coptis, goldenseal Hydrastis, and Oregon grape Mahonia. Its strong color led to its traditional use as a dye. Berberine containing plants have long been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, particularly for diarrhea and infections. Clinical trials, many conducted in China, have reported improvements in blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes and in blood lipids, though the evidence is considered moderate to low in quality. Proposed mechanisms include activation of AMPK, the cellular energy sensor also influenced by metformin, upregulation of liver LDL receptors, and changes in the gut microbiome. Berberine is antimicrobial in laboratory studies and poorly absorbed from the gut. It inhibits drug metabolizing enzymes including CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, so it can interact with many medications, and it is considered unsafe in pregnancy and in newborns because it can displace bilirubin from albumin, raising the risk of kernicterus.