Barberry

Barberry

The barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a robust, thorny medicinal plant with a long tradition and far-reaching effect. As early as in ancient Persia, in traditional Chinese medicine and in medieval Europe, it was an integral part of naturopathic applications. At the center of today's scientific attention is in particular the yellow plant compound berberine, which occurs in the root bark, the branches and the bark of the plant. The small red fruits are not only interesting from a culinary point of view, they also supply secondary plant compounds and vitamins. The barberry grows as a deciduous shrub that can reach a height of up to 3 meters. It is native to Europe, North Africa, Central Asia and the Near East and preferably thrives at forest edges, on embankments or in hedgerow landscapes. Its strikingly yellow flowers bloom in spring, and from them the characteristic bright red berries emerge in late summer. The plant belongs to the family of the barberry plants (Berberidaceae), of which over 500 species exist worldwide. While the berries are traditionally used as food – for example in Persian rice dishes (Zereshk Polo) or jams –, the pharmacologically active power of the barberry lies above all in its roots and the bark. These contain in high concentration the yellow-colored alkaloid berberine, which is at the center of many current scientific studies.

What health benefits does the barberry provide?

In traditional medicine and in the kitchen, the barberry is widely used. Current research shares this interest in the plant and new papers are published continuously. The results so far point to extreme medicinal potential, even if some studies have to be viewed critically and more research is still necessary in order to subsequently be able to understand certain effects.

  • Blood sugar regulation and metabolic optimization: Berberine demonstrably lowers the blood sugar level, improves insulin sensitivity and reduces glucose production in the liver. It activates the enzyme AMPK – a central regulator of energy metabolism – and thereby contributes to a better utilization of glucose in the cells. The effect has been compared in several studies with that of the antidiabetic drug metformin. In a meta-analysis with over 1000 patients, berberine was able to significantly lower the HbA1c value (1,2,3).
  • Cholesterol and triglyceride reduction: Berberine lowers LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol, while at the same time HDL cholesterol remains stable or rises slightly (1,4).
  • Antimicrobial properties: Berberine has a strong antimicrobial effect – against bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. In traditional use it was applied for diarrheal diseases, bacterial infections and skin problems. Studies show an effect against various bacteria as well as multi-resistant germs such as MRSA (2,5,6).
  • Inflammation inhibition and antioxidant cell protection: Berberine inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, through which it counteracts chronic inflammatory processes. At the same time it shows a pronounced antioxidant effect – an important property in the context of cell aging, metabolic diseases and neurodegeneration (2,7,8,9,10).
  • Effect on the intestinal flora: More recent studies suggest that berberine can positively influence the composition of the intestinal flora. It promotes beneficial bacterial strains, inhibits pathogenic germs and stabilizes the intestinal barrier – a relevant effect in irritable bowel syndrome, chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases (11,12,13).
  • Cognitive effects and neuroprotection: Berberine penetrates the blood-brain barrier and modulates dopaminergic and cholinergic signaling pathways there, among other things. Initial studies point to possible benefits in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and age-related cognitive decline (14,15).

How does berberine work?

Berberine is a plant-based isoquinoline alkaloid with an exceptionally broad pharmacological effect. It influences cellular signaling pathways, activates the enzyme AMPK (a kind of cellular energy sensor) and modulates inflammatory processes, metabolic parameters as well as the intestinal flora (1–15).

Use, dosage and safety

Berberine is mostly offered as an extract from the root bark. Usual dosages are 500–1.500 mg daily, divided into 2–3 portions.

Risks and side effects:

  • It can interact with medications, in particular with CYP3A4 substrates (e.g. statins or antidiabetic drugs).
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take berberine.

Conclusion

The barberry is more than an aromatic accent in the kitchen – it is a medicinal plant rich in tradition with impressive scientific relevance. Its main active compound berberine opens up therapeutic potential in metabolic disorders, infections, inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. Modern research is only beginning to understand the whole spectrum of the natural active compound – the potential, however, appears exceptionally great.

Sources:

  1. Utami, A. R., Maksum, I. P., & Deawati, Y. (2023). Berberine and Its Study as an Antidiabetic Compound. Biology, 12(7), 973. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12070973
  2. Xie, W., Su, F., Wang, G., Peng, Z., Xu, Y., Zhang, Y., Xu, N., Hou, K., Hu, Z., Chen, Y., & Chen, R. (2022). Glucose-lowering effect of berberine on type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in pharmacology, 13, 1015045. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1015045
  3. Cao, C., & Su, M. (2019). Effects of berberine on glucose-lipid metabolism, inflammatory factors and insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 17, 3009-3014. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2019.7295
  4. Ju, J., Li, J., Lin, Q., & Xu, H. (2018). Efficacy and safety of berberine for dyslipidaemias: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 50, 25–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2018.09.212
  5. Wu, S., Yang, K., Hong, Y., Gong, Y., Ni, J., Yang, N., & Ding, W. (2022). A New Perspective on the Antimicrobial Mechanism of Berberine Hydrochloride Against Staphylococcus aureus Revealed by Untargeted Metabolomic Studies. Frontiers in microbiology, 13, 917414. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.917414
  6. Yu, H. H., Kim, K. J., Cha, J. D., Kim, H. K., Lee, Y. E., Choi, N. Y., & You, Y. O. (2005). Antimicrobial activity of berberine alone and in combination with ampicillin or oxacillin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of medicinal food, 8(4), 454–461. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2005.8.454
  7. Wang, K., Yin, J., Chen, J., Ma, J., Si, H., & Xia, D. (2024). Inhibition of inflammation by berberine: Molecular mechanism and network pharmacology analysis. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 128, 155258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155258
  8. Zou, K., Li, Z., Zhang, Y. et al. Advances in the study of berberine and its derivatives: a focus on anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects in the digestive system. Acta Pharmacol Sin 38, 157–167 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/aps.2016.125
  9. Li, Z., Geng, Y. N., Jiang, J. D., & Kong, W. J. (2014). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of berberine in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2014, 289264. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/289264
  10. García-Muñoz, A. M., Victoria-Montesinos, D., Ballester, P., Cerdá, B., & Zafrilla, P. (2024). A Descriptive Review of the Antioxidant Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Berberine and Silymarin. Molecules, 29(19), 4576. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29194576
  11. Zhang, L., Wu, X., Yang, R., Chen, F., Liao, Y., Zhu, Z., Wu, Z., Sun, X., & Wang, L. (2021). Effects of Berberine on the Gastrointestinal Microbiota. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 10, 588517. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2020.588517
  12. Wang, H., Zhang, H., Gao, Z., Zhang, Q., & Gu, C. (2022). The mechanism of berberine alleviating metabolic disorder based on gut microbiome. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 12, 854885. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.854885
  13. Cao, J., Chen, M., Xu, R., & Guo, M. (2022). Therapeutic Mechanisms of Berberine to Improve the Intestinal Barrier Function via Modulating Gut Microbiota, TLR4/NF-κ B/MTORC Pathway and Autophagy in Cats. Frontiers in microbiology, 13, 961885. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.961885
  14. Liu, J. Y., Dai, Y., He, Y. X., & Lin, L. (2024). Effect of berberine on cognitive function and β-amyloid precursor protein in Alzheimer's disease models: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in pharmacology, 14, 1301102. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1301102
  15. Ye, C., Liang, Y., Chen, Y., Xiong, Y., She, Y., Zhong, X., Chen, H., & Huang, M. (2021). Berberine Improves Cognitive Impairment by Simultaneously Impacting Cerebral Blood Flow and β-Amyloid Accumulation in an APP/tau/PS1 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Cells, 10(5), 1161. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10051161