“Berberine – Contemporary Clinical Applications And Mechanisms Of Action: A Literature Review”

Abstract

Natural compounds have been utilized for centuries due to their availability, and those present in plants find application in so-called Traditional Medicine. Among plant secondary metabolites with biological properties, the isoquinoline quaternary alkaloid—berberine (BBR)—possesses a broad range of therapeutic uses for the treatment of numerous diseases [1] This compound is isolated from many medicinal plant species, such as Hydrastis canadensis, Berberis aristata, Coptis chinensis, Coptis japonica, Phellondendron amurense, and Phellondendron chinense Schneid[2], [3] .

Historically, herbs containing berberine, such as Coptis chinensis, have been widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for approximately 2200 years[2] The earliest recorded medical use of Rhizoma coptidis containing berberine dates back to A.D. 200 [4]Shennong’s Herbal Classic notes that this plant is primarily used to prevent or attenuate digestive system disease symptoms, such as abdominal distention, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice[2]. In China, berberine remains a common over-the-counter drug used to treat gastrointestinal tract infections [3]Beyond its antimicrobial effects, modern research has highlighted its potential in treating metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes (T2D), obesity, and cardiovascular diseases [5]