title: Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Berberine, a natural plant alkaloid, is usually used as an antibiotic drug. The potential glucose-lowering effect of berberine was noted when it was used for diarrhea in diabetic patients. In vitro and in vivo studies have then showed its effects on hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients with dyslipidemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred sixteen patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia were randomly allocated to receive berberine (1.0 g daily) and the placebo for 3 months. The primary outcomes were changes in plasma glucose and serum lipid concentrations. Glucose disposal rate (GDR) was measured using a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp to assess insulin sensitivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the berberine group, fasting and postload plasma glucose decreased from 7.0 +/- 0.8 to 5.6 +/- 0.9 and from 12.0 +/- 2.7 to 8.9 +/- 2.8 mm/liter, HbA1c from 7.5 +/- 1.0% to 6.6 +/- 0.7%, triglyceride from 2.51 +/- 2.04 to 1.61 +/- 1.10 mm/liter, total cholesterol from 5.31 +/- 0.98 to 4.35 +/- 0.96 mm/liter, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol from 3.23 +/- 0.81 to 2.55 +/- 0.77 mm/liter, with all parameters differing from placebo significantly (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P = 0.001, P < 0.0001, and P <0.0001, respectively). The glucose disposal rate was increased after berberine treatment (P = 0.037), although no significant change was found between berberine and placebo groups (P = 0.063). Mild to moderate constipation was observed in five participants in the berberine group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Berberine is effective and safe in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 RuiJin 2nd Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yifei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiaoying
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dajin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jialin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huo
authors.forename: Miao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Peihong
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Guoguang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ning
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001599:Berberine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001599:Berberine; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human