title: Effects of berberine on lipid profile in subjects with low cardiovascular risk.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy as antihypercholesterolemic agent of berberine in patients with low cardiovascular risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  144 Caucasian subjects were enrolled. After a 6-month run-in period following diet and practicing physical activity, patients were randomized to take placebo or berberine 500 mg twice a day, for 3 months, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Berberine and placebo were then interrupted for 2 months (washout period), and all patients continued with only diet and physical activity. At the end of the washout period, patients restarted berberine or placebo twice a day for further 3 months. Anthropometric and metabolic parameters were assessed during the run-in period, at randomization, before and after the washout period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A decrease of body weight and BMI was observed after the run-in period. Berberine reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol after 3 months from randomization and compared with placebo. After the washout period, lipid profile worsened; afterward, when berberine was reintroduced, lipid profile improved again both compared with the washout period, and with placebo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Berberine is effective and safe to mildly improve lipid profile in subjects with low risk for cardiovascular disease.
authors: University of Pavia, Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, P.le C. Golgi, 2 - 27100 Pavia, Italy. giuseppe.derosa@unipv.it
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Derosa
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: D'Angelo
authors: Aldo
authors: A
authors: Bonaventura
authors: Lucio
authors: L
authors: Bianchi
authors: Davide
authors: D
authors: Romano
authors: Pamela
authors: P
authors: Maffioli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D001599:Berberine