Is Berberine Safe?

Berberine is a natural plant alkaloid with a history of use as an antibiotic and has been studied for its potential therapeutic effects on various health conditions.

Key Insights from Research Papers:

Berberine has been found to be effective in lowering blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol, while increasing HDL cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia, with mild to moderate constipation as a side effect.
In a Phase I trial, berberine was well tolerated in Chinese patients with ulcerative colitis, with only one episode of grade 3 elevation in transaminases and one episode of grade 1 nausea reported, suggesting a favorable safety profile.
Berberine improved lipid profiles in subjects with low cardiovascular risk and was considered safe, with no serious adverse events reported.
A study on the prevention of colorectal adenoma recurrence found berberine to be safe and effective, with constipation being the most common adverse event.
An umbrella review indicated that berberine is safe and improves various clinical outcomes, with gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation and diarrhea being common side effects.
Berberine has been shown to have therapeutic effects against cardiometabolic diseases and is considered safe and well-tolerated, especially for those intolerant to statins.
It has been demonstrated that berberine can protect the liver from ethanol-induced oxidative stress and steatosis, suggesting a potential role in treating or preventing alcoholic liver disease.
Berberine's safety profile is generally positive, with clinical trials needed to further assess its safety and efficacy, particularly in neurological disorders.
Evidence suggests that berberine is a safe anti-cancer agent, with effects on mitochondria including inhibition of mitochondrial Complex I.
Berberine has shown comparable potency to metronidazole against Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro, with a better safety profile, indicating its potential as a safer alternative.

Conclusion:

Overall, berberine is considered safe and effective for various health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, ulcerative colitis, and the prevention of colorectal adenoma recurrence. It has also shown promise as a protective agent against liver damage from alcohol and as an anti-cancer agent. The most commonly reported side effects are gastrointestinal, such as constipation and diarrhea. Further clinical trials are suggested to fully establish the safety profile of berberine, especially in the treatment of neurological disorders.

Summary

Consensus Meter

Sources and full results

Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine.

A Phase I Trial of Berberine in Chinese with Ulcerative Colitis

Effects of berberine on lipid profile in subjects with low cardiovascular risk

Berberine versus placebo for the prevention of recurrence of colorectal adenoma: a multicentre, double-blinded, randomised controlled study.

Berberine and health outcomes: An umbrella review

Berberine on the Prevention and Management of Cardiometabolic Disease: Clinical Applications and Mechanisms of Action.

Berberine protects liver from ethanol-induced oxidative stress and steatosis in mice.

Current knowledge and pharmacological profile of berberine: An update.

Berberine as a promising safe anti-cancer agent - is there a role for mitochondria?

Evaluation of the effect of a plant alkaloid (berberine derived from Berberis aristata) on Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro.

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