Berberine HCl

Description

Berberine HCl Maintains Healthy Glucose Metabolism 500 mg

Benefits

• Provides 500 mg berberine HCl per capsule, the dosing strength used in clinical trials for glucose and lipid control
• Hypoglycemic effects via multiple mechanisms, including enhancement of insulin sensitivity
• Favorable effects on blood lipids, including a reduction in triglycerides, and both total and LDL cholesterol ⁹
• Activates Nrf-2, a key regulator of antioxidant gene transcription and prevention of glucose-induced neurotoxicity
• Extracted from Berberis vulgaris (European barberry)
• Suitable for vegetarians/vegans

Feature Summary

Traditionally used for gastrointestinal symptoms, berberine has emerged as a potent cardiometabolic aid with diverse benefits and mechanisms of action. It has hypoglycemic effects, via both an inhibition of alpha-glucosidase activity and an upregulation of insulin receptors in peripheral tissues, thereby improving insulin sensitivity.^1,2 Furthermore, it activates Nrf2, a key regulator of cellular antioxidant defense, and attenuates glucose-induced neurotoxicity, suggesting a therapeutic potential for diabetic neuropathy.³

In controlled trials, it reduced HbA1c levels in diabetic participants with comparable efficacy to metformin. Among participants with the metabolic syndrome it has been shown to reduce waist circumference and body weight, blood pressure, triglycerides, and improve insulin resistance compared to placebo, with similar benefits in women with PCOS.^4,5 Berberine targets multiple cardiometabolic risk factors, as it has been shown to also lower total and LDL cholesterol among diabetic participants in several controlled trials.^6,7 Additionally, a clinical trial comparing standard therapy with or without berberine among patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention showed improvements in multiple inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein, IL-6, MMP-9, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1.⁸

Medicinal Ingredients

Non-Medicinal Ingredients

Vegetarian capsule (cellulose, purified water), microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable grade magnesium stearate (lubricant), silica, stearic acid.

Allergens:

Contains no artificial colors, preservatives, or sweeteners; no dairy, starch, sugar, wheat, gluten, yeast, soy, corn, egg, fish, shellfish, animal products, salt, tree nuts, or GMOs. Suitable for vegetarians/vegans.

Recommended Use:

1 capsule 2 times per day with meals or as directed by a health care practitioner. Consult a health care practitioner for use beyond 3 months.

Contraindications

Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Berberine has been shown to lower blood glucose levels and may have an additive effect when combined with other hypoglycemic medications, such as metformin. Berberine has also been shown to increase levels of cyclosporin A, and combined use should be avoided.¹⁰ Berberine has demonstrated inhibitory activity on cytochrome enzymes CYP2D6, 3A4, and CYP2C9, and the use of medications metabolized by these enzymes should be monitored.¹¹

References:

1. Zhang H, Wei J, Xue R, et al. Berberine lowers blood glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients through increasing glucose regulating hormone receptor expression. Metabolism. 2010 Feb;59(2):285-92.
2. Li ZQ, Zuo DY, Qie XD, et al. Berberine acutely inhibits the digestion of maltose in the intestine. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Jul 13;142(2):474-80.
3. Hsu YY, Tseng YT, Lo YC. Berberine, a natural anti-diabetes drug, attenuates glucose neurotoxicity and promotes Nrf2-related neurite outgrowth. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2013 Nov 1;272(3):787-96.
4. Pérez-Rubio KG, González-Ortiz M, et al. Effect of berberine administration on metabolic syndrome, glucose regulating hormone sensitivity, and glucose regulating hormone secretion. Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2013 Oct;11(5):366-9.
5. Wei W, Zhao H, Wang A, et al. A clinical study on the short-term effect of berberine in comparison to metformin on the metabolic characteristics of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Eur J Endocrinol. 2012 Jan;166(1):99-105.
6. Yin J, Xing H, Ye J. Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolism. 2008 May;57(5):712-7.
7. Zhang Y, Li X, Zou D, Liu W, et al. Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Jul;93(7):2559-65.
8. Meng S, Wang LS, Huang ZQ, et al. Berberine ameliorates inflammation in patients with acute coronary syndrome following percutaneous coronary intervention. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2012 May;39(5):406-11.
9. Dong H, Zhao Y, Zhao L, Lu F. The effects of berberine on blood lipids: a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Planta Med. 2013 Apr;79(6):437-46. DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-132832.
10. Xin HW, Wu XC, Li Q, Yu AR, Zhong MY, Liu YY. The effects of berberine on the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporin A in healthy volunteers. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Jan-Feb;28(1):25-9.
11. Guo Y, Chen Y, Tan ZR, et al. Repeated administration of berberine inhibits cytochromes P450 in humans. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2012 Feb;68(2):213-7.