Effects of berberine on glucose-lipid metabolism, inflammatory factors and insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Effects of berberine on glucose-lipid metabolism, inflammatory factors and insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome were investigated. Eighty patients with metabolic syndrome treated in Linyi Central Hospital from January 2017 to December 2017 were selected and divided into control group (n=40) and observation group (n=40). Patients in control group were treated with regular therapy using the Western medicine and drugs, while those in observation group, based on the treatment in control group, were treated with berberine. Changes in relevant indexes to blood glucose and lipid metabolisms and inflammatory factors were compared between the two groups. The correlation of inflammatory factor with fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, triglyceride and total cholesterol was analyzed. At 1 month after treatment, levels of fasting blood glucose, 2 h postprandial blood glucose, insulin resistance index and blood lipid indexes in both groups were lower than those at 1 week after treatment (P<0.05). At 1 month after treatment, levels of fasting blood glucose, 2 h postprandial blood glucose, insulin resistance index and blood lipid indexes in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group during the same period (P<0.05). Moreover, levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in both groups at 1 month after treatment were lower than those at 1 week after treatment (P<0.05), and they were lower in observation group at 1 month after treatment than those in control group during the same period (P<0.05). Finally, hs-CRP was positively correlated with fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, total cholesterol and triglyceride. The combined application of berberine in patients with metabolic syndrome can effectively regulate blood glucose and blood lipid of patients, alleviate insulin resistance and reduce the level of inflammatory response in the body.

Phytopharmacology and Clinical Updates of Berberis Species Against Diabetes and Other Metabolic Diseases

“…The administration of BBR in patients with MS was found to be effective in regulating the blood glucose and blood lipid levels, improving the InsR, and reducing the level of inflammatory responses in the body (Cao and Su, 2019). BBR also decreased the waist circumference, systolic blood pressure (SBP), triglycerides, and total insulin secretion along with an increase in InsS (Pérez-Rubio et al, 2013).…”

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacological Activities of Berberine in Diabetes Mellitus Treatment

“…Therefore, most of the various mechanisms described below are discussed based on the STZ-induced diabetic model. BBR has a good effect on metabolic syndrome such as diabetes [ 39 – 41 ]. It does not only lower blood sugar by enhancing insulin sensitivity, promoting insulin secretion, protecting islet cells, stimulating glycolysis in peripheral tissue cells, inhibiting gluconeogenesis in the liver, and anti-insulin resistance (IR) but also improves the symptoms of inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism disorders in diabetic patients by anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and lipid metabolism disorder regulation.…”

Potential therapeutic applications of phytoconstituents as immunomodulators: Pre‐clinical and clinical evidences

“…In a recent randomized clinical trial, berberine at 400 mg/kg given orally for 8 weeks reduces the symptoms of IBS and improved the quality of life in the administered patients (C. Chen, Tao, et al, 2015). Another study showed that berberine modulates the expression of inflammatory proteins like IL‐6, TNF‐α and hs‐CRP in patients with metabolic syndrome (Cao & Su, 2019). Moreover, it is also shown to reduce the inflammatory responses induced in the severe COVID‐19 individuals (B. Zhang et al, 2021).…”