Berberine

The bioactive substance berberine comes from the plant genus Berberis: it is present in the roots, trunk, bark and also in the berries. The barberry is one of the best-known plants in this family. This shrub is native to Eurasia. Berberine is found in the following plants: European Barberry, Goldenseal, Goldthread, Oregon Grape, Bloodroot, Yellowroot, Phellodendron, Tree Turmeric, Tinospora cordifolia, Argemone mexicana (prickly poppy) and Eschscholzia californica (Californian poppy).

Special Precautions of Berberine

• Berberine can increase the amount of bilirubin in newborns. Bilirubin is a chemical released by the liver. Too much bilirubin can lead to permanent brain damage in newborns, especially in newborns born too early.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Berberine is UNSAFE during pregnancy. It is thought to cross the placenta and may cause harm to the developing child . Brain damage due to too much bilirubin has developed in newborn infants exposed to berberine. Beginning research suggests pregnant women who take Berberine during the first three months of pregnancy increase the risk that their newborns will have birth defects affecting the central nervous system.
• It’s also UNSAFE for breast-feeding mothers to take Berberine as it can be transferred to the infant through breast milk.
• it may cause digestive side effects, such as an upset stomach, constipation, or nausea.
• Berberine can also cause a rash or headache in some people.

Health benefits and uses of Berberine

Berberine is an anti-inflammatory, astringent, hemostatic, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant and immunostimulant.

• it helps your body maintain a normal cholesterol level
• In vitro it exerts significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In animal models berberine has neuroprotective and cardiovascular protective effects. In humans, its lipid-lowering and insulin-resistance improving actions have clearly been demonstrated in numerous randomized clinical trials. Moreover, preliminary clinical evidence suggest the ability of berberine to reduce endothelial inflammation improving vascular health, even in patients already affected by cardiovascular diseases.
• Supplemental berberine might reduce colorectal polyps, according to a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in 2020 in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology. The study included nearly 900 people in China between the ages of 18 to 75 who had polyps removed during a colonoscopy. (Most intestinal polyps are benign, but some can become cancerous.) After the procedure, the people were randomly assigned to take 300 milligrams of berberine twice daily or a placebo, and followed up one and two years later. None of the participants developed colorectal cancer during the study, but those taking berberine had fewer recurrent polyps (36 percent) compared with placebo takers (47 percent). According to the researchers, berberine could be a low-cost and safe option to help prevent colorectal cancer. Also, no serious side effects were reported.
• Extracts of berberine are used in the treatment of diarrhea of different origins. Recent studies have shown that berberine and its derivatives have significant biological effects on gastrointestinal (GI) and other functions and may become therapeutics for the treatment of diarrhea, gastroenteritis, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases and inflammatory conditions.
• Liver : Berberine also stimulates secretion of bile and bilirubin and may be useful in correcting high tyramine levels in patients with liver cirrhosis