Supplement
Black barberry is a shrub whose berries and roots contain berberine, a plant compound that influences how cells handle sugar and fat. Pooled trials found lower fasting blood sugar and HbA1c in people with type 2 diabetes, along with reduced total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and the evidence is moderate for each. Weight loss was modest, about 1.5 kilograms, and the evidence there is limited.
- Updated
- How we grade
- 4 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade B
- Conditions studied
- 4
- Outcomes
- 5
- Graded outcomes
- 0410
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HbA1c Berberine comparable to metformin: HbA1c dropped from 9.5% to 7.5% (PMID: 18442638); meta-analysis confirms glycemic benefit | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 200 people | |||
| Fasting Blood Glucose Meta-analysis: significant FBS reduction; single study showed drop from 10.6 to 6.9 mmol/L | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 718 people |
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systolic/Diastolic BP Meta-analysis (2025): SBP -9.84mmHg, DBP -11.31mmHg with barberry supplementation | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 718 people |
Cardiovascular Disease
- Lipid Profile (TC, LDL, TG): improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lipid Profile (TC, LDL, TG) Significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides; dose-response with ≥750mg/day for >8 weeks | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 718 people |
Overweight
- Body Weight: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Weight Meta-analysis: weight reduction of -1.48kg with barberry supplementation | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 718 people |
Key findings
- HbA1cImproves (the measure goes down)
- Fasting Blood GlucoseImproves (the measure goes down)
- Systolic/Diastolic BPImproves (the measure goes down)
Studies cited
4 studies from PubMed
- Berberine and barberry (Berberis vulgaris): A clinical review
- Barberry in the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome: possible mechanisms of action
- A review of the effects of Berberis vulgaris and its major component, berberine, in metabolic syndrome
- Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus