Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine.
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.
Zhang
Yifei
Y
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.
Li
Xiaoying
X
Zou
Dajin
D
Liu
Wei
W
Yang
Jialin
J
Zhu
Na
N
Huo
Li
L
Wang
Miao
M
Hong
Jie
J
Wu
Peihong
P
Ren
Guoguang
G
Ning
Guang
G
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
D001599:Berberine; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human