Eulipidemic Effects of Berberine Administered Alone or in Combination with Other Natural Cholesterol-lowering Agents

Cicero, A.F.G.; Rovati, Lucio C.; Setnikar, I

doi:10.1055/s-0031-1296582

Cited by 59 publications

(85 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…This latter effect is very interesting and may explain the slight but significant reduction in postprandial glycemia observed in the treated group. AP treatment led to a significant reduction in total and LDL cholesterol, confirming previous reports [5,18] . Interestingly, the therapeutic effect seemed evident also in those patients who were already under treatment with statins.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

A nutraceutical combination improves insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome

Affuso¹

2012

WJC

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AIM:To test the efficacy of a proprietary nutraceutical combination in reducing insulin resistance associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS:Sixty-four patients with MetS followed at a tertiary outpatient clinic were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or a proprietary nutraceutical combination (AP) consisting of berberine, policosanol and red yeast rice, in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Evaluations were performed at baseline and after 18 wk of treatment. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was the primary outcome measure. Secondary endpoints included lipid panel, blood glucose and insulin fasting, after a standard mixed meal and after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), flow-mediated dilation (FM�), and waist circumference. RESULTS:Fifty nine patients completed the study, 2 withdrew because of adverse effects. After 18 wk there was a significant reduction in the HOMA-IR index in the AP group compared with placebo (ΔHOMA respectively -0.6 ± 1.2 vs 0.4 ± 1.9; P < 0.05). Total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol also significantly decreased in the treatment arm compared with placebo (Δlow density lipoprotein cholesterol -0.82 ± 0.68 vs -0.13 ± 0.55 mmol/L; P < 0.001), while triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the OGTT were not affected. In addition, there were significant reductions in blood glucose and insulin after the standard mixed meal, as well as an increase in FMD (ΔFMD 1.9 ± 4.2 vs 0 ± 1.9 %; P < 0.05) and a significant reduction in arterial systolic blood pressure in the AP arm. CONCLUSION:This short-term study shows that AP has relevant beneficial effects on insulin resistance and many other components of MetS.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

A nutraceutical combination improves insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome

Affuso¹

2012

WJC

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“…The phytochemical tests in the aqueous extract of C. chayamansa only proved the presence of alkaloids that could be responsible for the hypocholesterolemic activity found, an effect that has been reported for other alkaloids [19,20].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 74%

Hypocholesterolemic Activity from the Leaf Extracts of Cnidoscolus chayamansa

Miranda-Velasquez

Oranday-Cárdenas

Lozano-Garza³

et al. 2010

Plant Foods Hum Nutr

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The aim of this study was to determine the hypocholesterolemic activity of Cnidoscolus chayamansa.In an in vivo model, high-cholesterol diet administered to mice Balb/c induced hypercholesterolemia. Three extracts from Cnidoscolus chayamansa (ethanol, methanol and an aqueous extract) were tested on hypercholesterolemic mice. Active extracts were assessed against the in vitro inhibitory activity of the same three extracts on the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme by using Vero cells. The specific chemical groups present in the phytochemical extracts were also determined. Only the aqueous extract (at either doses employed) showed a significant cholesterol reduction (27.9 and 31.1%, for 50 and 100 mgkg −1 , respectively P<0.01). The extract did not inhibit the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, suggesting that its compounds act at another level in cholesterol metabolism. Reactions to secondary metabolites indicate the presence of alkaloids in the aqueous and ethanol extracts and phenol hydroxyls in the ethanol and methanol extracts.

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“…Yet the AMPK activator berberine is notably clinically effective for lowering serum LDL cholesterol (Kong et al 2004;Abidi et al 2005;Cicero et al 2007;Zhang et al 2008a). This effect appears to be independent of any inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase; rather, it reflects an increase in the half-life of LDL receptor mRNA.…”

Section: Vascular Protectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

AMPK activation—protean potential for boosting healthspan

McCarty

2013

AGE

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AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is activated when the cellular (AMP+ADP)/ATP ratio rises; it therefore serves as a detector of cellular "fuel deficiency." AMPK activation is suspected to mediate some of the health-protective effects of long-term calorie restriction. Several drugs and nutraceuticals which slightly and safely impede the efficiency of mitochondrial ATP g e n e r a t i o n -m o s t n o t a b l y m e t f o r m i n a n d berberine-can be employed as clinical AMPK activators and, hence, may have potential as calorie restriction mimetics for extending healthspan. Indeed, current evidence indicates that AMPK activators may reduce risk for atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke; help to prevent ventricular hypertrophy and manage congestive failure; ameliorate metabolic syndrome, reduce risk for type 2 diabetes, and aid glycemic control in diabetics; reduce risk for weight gain; decrease risk for a number of common cancers while improving prognosis in cancer therapy; decrease risk for dementia and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders; help to preserve the proper structure of bone and cartilage; and possibly aid in the prevention and control of autoimmunity. While metformin and berberine appear to have the greatest utility as clinical AMPK activators-as reflected by their efficacy in diabetes management-regular ingestion of vinegar, as well as moderate alcohol consumption, may also achieve a modest degree of healthprotective AMPK activation. The activation of AMPK achievable with any of these measures may be potentiated by clinical doses of the drug salicylate, which can bind to AMPK and activate it allosterically.

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Eulipidemic Effects of Berberine Administered Alone or in Combination with Other Natural Cholesterol-lowering Agents

Cited by 59 publications

References 16 publications

A nutraceutical combination improves insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome

A nutraceutical combination improves insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome

Hypocholesterolemic Activity from the Leaf Extracts of Cnidoscolus chayamansa

AMPK activation—protean potential for boosting healthspan

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