Bioclinic – Berberine HCl – Sina Natural Health Store

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
Favourable effects on blood lipids, including a reduction in triglycerides, and both total and LDL cholesterol⁹
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

Each Capsule Contains:
Berberine (Hydrochloride) (Berberis vulgaris) (root)	500 mg

Non-Medicinal Ingredients

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

Allergens:

Contains no artificial colours, 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 cylcosporin A, and combined use should be avoided.¹⁰ Berberine has demonstrated inhibitory activity on cytochrome enzymes CYP2D6, 3A4, and CYP2C9, and use of medications metabolized by these enzymes should be monitored.¹¹

1. Zhang, H., Wei, J., Xue, R., et al. (2010). Berberine lowers blood glucose in type 2 diabetes
mellitus patients through increasing insulin receptor expression. Metabolism, 59(2), 285-92.

2. Li, Z.Q., Zuo, D.Y., Qie, X.D., et al. (2012). Berberine acutely inhibits the digestion of maltose
in the intestine. J Ethnopharmacol, 142(2), 474-80.

3. Hsu, Y.Y., Tseng, Y.T., Lo, Y.C. (2013). Berberine, a natural antidiabetes drug, attenuates
glucose neurotoxicity and promotes Nrf2-related neurite outgrowth. Toxicol Appl
Pharmacol, 272(3), 787-96.

4. Pérez-Rubio, K.G., González-Ortiz, M., et al. (2013). Effect of berberine administration on
metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion. Metab Syndr Relat Disord,
11(5), 366-9.

5. Wei, W., Zhao, H., Wang, A., et al. (2012). 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, 166(1), 99-105.

6. Yin, J., Xing, H., Ye, J. (2008). Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Metabolism, 57(5), 712-7.

7. Zhang, Y., Li, X., Zou, D., et al. (2008). Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with
the natural plant alkaloid berberine. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 93(7), 2559-65.

8. Meng, S., Wang, L.S., Huang, Z.Q., et al. (2012). Berberine ameliorates inflammation
in patients with acute coronary syndrome following percutaneous coronary intervention.
Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol, 39(5), 406-11.

9. Dong, H., Zhao, Y., Zhao, L., et al. (2013). The effects of berberine on blood lipids:
a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Planta Med,
79(6), 437-46.

10. Xin, H.W., Wu, X.C., Li, Q., et al. (2006). The effects of berberine on the pharmacokinetics
of cyclosporin A in healthy volunteers. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol, 28(1), 25-9.

11. Guo, Y., Chen, Y., Tan, Z.R., et al. (2012). Repeated administration of berberine inhibits
cytochromes P450 in humans. Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 68(2), 213-7.