Berberis vulgaris: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
barberry
Scientific name(s)
Berberis vulgaris
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Berberine
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Liver disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH) is closely linked to obesity, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Several animal and human studies have shown that berberine, the major active compound of barberry, can reduce liver fat and improve levels of various enzymes and metabolic markers. A clinical trial with 184 patients found that a dose of 500 mg of berberine three times a day for 16 weeks significantly reduced liver fat and liver enzymes. A meta-analysis confirmed berberine's effectiveness on blood glucose, blood lipids, insulin resistance, liver function, and fatty liver condition in NASH patients. Another study analyzed the effect of an aqueous barberry extract on transaminase activities in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH). The clinical trial included 80 patients, divided into a control group and a group treated with the barberry extract. Results showed a significant decrease in liver enzyme levels (ALT and AST), cholesterol, and triglycerides in the treated group, suggesting that barberry may have a hepatoprotective effect. Barberry acts against liver disorders mainly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, the berberine present in barberry has been associated with improvements in lipid metabolism and insulin resistance, which are key factors in the development of NASH.
Posologie
Oral: root
750 mg
3 months
Synergies
Metabolic syndrome ✪✪✪✪✪
Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a cluster of metabolic abnormalities, including obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes, constituting an important cardiovascular risk factor.nnStudies support the pharmacological actions of barberry and its main active compound, berberine, such as anti-obesity, antidiabetic, hypotensive, and hypolipidemic properties, which may be useful in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Clinical trials have shown that taking barberry improved the lipid profile, reduced cellular stress, as well as markers of inflammation. nnBerberine has also demonstrated significant improvements in metabolic syndrome, including reductions in systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, triglycerides, and insulin secretion. nnAlthough these clinical studies support the potential benefits of berberine and barberry in metabolic syndrome, larger and longer-term studies are needed to better define their therapeutic role in metabolic syndrome.nn
Posologie
Oral: root
1500 mg
A review of the effects of Berberis vulgaris and its major component, berberine, in metabolic syndrome
Berberis vulgaris: specifications and traditional uses
Berberine and barberry (Berberis vulgaris): A clinical review
The effects of Berberis vulgaris L. and Berberis aristata L. in metabolic syndrome patients: a systematic and meta-analysis study
Digestive disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Barberry has a long traditional use in cases of dyspepsia. It has a positive effect on symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea thanks to its analgesic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. A clinical study showed the beneficial effects of berberine on irritable bowel syndrome.
Posologie
By mouth: root
900 mg
Diarrhea ✪✪✪✪✪
Berberine derived from barberry has long been widely used in China to treat diarrhea and gastroenteritis. Its pharmacological effects, such as inhibition of smooth muscle contractions and its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions, contribute to its effectiveness against diarrhea. Clinical trials have shown a significant improvement in infectious diarrhea and in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. In a study of 196 patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, daily intake of 400 mg of berberine reduced the frequency of symptoms, including abdominal pain and the number of diarrheal episodes. Another study on diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli showed that 400 mg of berberine significantly reduced stool volume.
Posologie
By mouth: root
400 mg
Kidney stone ✪✪✪✪✪
In traditional medicine, barberry is used to treat kidney stones and other urinary tract diseases. Animal studies support the medicinal use of this plant against urinary calculi. However, there are not yet any clinical trials evaluating this effect in humans. A clinical study of 90 patients with renal atherosclerosis showed that berberine can improve renal function in these patients. Taking berberine for 4 weeks significantly reduced blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, thereby improving renal function. Another two-year clinical study, conducted on 69 hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes, demonstrated that giving berberine in addition to standard antihypertensive and hypoglycemic treatments significantly reduced biochemical markers of renal damage and oxidative stress, and improved renal function.
Posologie
Oral: root
Acne ✪✪✪✪✪
A study examined the effect of an aqueous extract of barberry fruit on acne. This double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with 50 adolescents suffering from moderate to severe acne. They received either an aqueous extract of barberry (600 mg per day for 4 weeks) or a placebo. Results showed a significant reduction in acne lesions and acne severity in the group treated with barberry, with no notable side effects, suggesting that barberry may be useful for treating acne.
Posologie
Oral: fruit
600 mg
4 - weeks
Breast cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
A study evaluated the impact of barberry juice consumption on plasma levels of various growth factors and the expression of certain genes in women with benign breast disease. The controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial involved 85 patients, divided into two groups: one group received barberry juice and the other a placebo for 8 weeks.nnThe study found that consuming barberry juice led to a significant decrease in the concentrations of certain growth factors and a downregulation of the expression of some genes associated with angiogenesis. These results suggest that barberry may have preventive beneficial effects against the development of breast cancer.nn
Posologie
Oral: fruit, root
480 mL
Properties
Lipid-lowering
Berberine, a component of the barberry root, is an effective agent for lowering cholesterol due to its varied mechanisms of action. Berberine acts by decreasing the expression of PCSK9 (a protein that plays a key role in regulating blood cholesterol), which promotes the uptake of cholesterol by the liver and its conversion into bile, thereby helping to reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) levels in the blood. Berberine also activates a protein called AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), thereby limiting fatty acid synthesis. Animal studies and clinical trials in humans have shown that berberine can effectively reduce triglyceride and LDL levels and improve blood lipid levels in patients with mild hyperlipidemia.
Usages associés
Anticancer
Berberine, the main active compound in barberry, demonstrates broad cytotoxic activities against many types of human cancers, including colorectal, breast, ovarian, liver, leukemia, melanoma, pancreatic, prostate and others. In vivo studies in animal models with induced tumors have shown that berberine can inhibit the growth of pulmonary metastases in liver cancer, and suppress leukemia and prostate cancer. Several mechanisms of action have been suggested, such as downregulation of cyclin B1 (a protein that regulates the cell cycle), which reduces cancer cell proliferation by disrupting the protein synthesis required for cell division, induction of autophagic cell death via the mTOR signaling pathway, and binding to DNA.
Usages associés
Hepatoprotective
Barberry has a protective effect on the liver against damage caused by free radicals and toxins. Barberry root extract has shown positive activity on liver enzymes and inhibitory effects on oxidative stress. In a rat experiment, barberry extracts attenuated liver damage induced by toxic substances such as carbon tetrachloride. These extracts reduced levels of liver enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of oxidative stress), and increased glutathione (GSH) levels as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes.
Usages associés
Antihypertensive
Barberry has a long history of use in Iranian traditional medicine and in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of hypertension. Its mechanism of action consists of increasing acetylcholine and inducing peripheral vasodilation through anticholinesterase activity.
Usages associés
Antibacterial
Barberry extracts, and especially berberine, have demonstrated antibacterial activity against various bacteria, including Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Shigella dysenteriae, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Helicobacter pylori. Berberine is even considered an effective alternative, with Helicobacter pylori eradication rates comparable to those of conventional regimens according to several clinical studies. In dermatology, aqueous barberry extract has shown anti-acne effects due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. A clinical study in adolescents with acne found that daily administration of barberry extract significantly reduced acne severity without notable side effects. Another clinical trial in women with bacterial vaginosis compared the effect of a vaginal gel containing barberry extract (5%) with a metronidazole vaginal gel (0.75%). The results showed that the barberry plus metronidazole group had a better response than the group treated only with the metronidazole gel, suggesting a complementary antibacterial action of barberry.
Usages associés
Anti-urolithic
Berberine, an alkaloid present in barberry, has shown anti-urolithic potential. In an animal model of urolithiasis, berberine (10 mg/kg) prevented the deposition of calcium oxalate crystals in the renal tubules and the resulting physical manifestations, including weight loss, impaired renal function, and oxidative stress.
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adult:
- Decoction: 5 g of barberry root bark in 500 ml of water. Boil then strain.nn- Mother tincture: 15 to 20 drops or as directed by the manufacturer.nn- Dry extracts usually providing a minimum of 500 mg of berberine.nn
Interactions
Médicaments
Cyclosporine: strong interaction
Berberine, the active constituent of barberry, can reduce metabolism and increase cyclosporine serum levels. Berberine may inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), which metabolizes cyclosporine.
Cytochrome P450 3A4: moderate interaction
In vitro studies and preliminary clinical research show that berberine moderately inhibits CYP3A4. Using berberine with drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 could increase drug concentrations and raise the risk of adverse effects.nnExample: cardiovascular drugs; antiarrhythmics: quinidine, lidocaine, amiodarone; statins: simvastatin, atorvastatin; calcium channel blockers: nifedipine, nitrendipine, nimodipine, amlodipine, felodipine, verapamil, diltiazem...
Contraindications
Children: prohibited
The use of berberine (a component of barberry) taken orally in newborns can be dangerous. Berberine may cause kernicterus (brain damage caused by deposition of unconjugated bilirubin in the basal ganglia and brainstem nuclei), especially in premature newborns with hyperbilirubinemia.nn
Pregnant women: prohibited
Berberine (a component of barberry) can cross the placenta and cause fetal harm. Kernicterus (brain damage caused by deposition of unconjugated bilirubin in the basal ganglia and brainstem nuclei) has developed in newborns exposed to berberine.nnAdditionally, berberine can stimulate uterine contractions.nn
Breastfeeding: contraindicated
Berberine (a component of barberry) can pass into breast milk.nn
