Berberine is a phytochemical constituent of several medicinal plants that have been used for centuries in various cultures throughout the world. Some of these plants and their geographical origins include Goldenseal from North America, Barberry from Europe, and Goldenthread from China. It is a truly marvelous example of a plant constituent that has varied and powerful effectiveness in a wide range of conditions.
Powerful botanical antimicrobial
Historically the medicinal use of Berberine containing plants was primarily for their antimicrobial activity – a use for which they are incredibly effective. Berberine displays a broad spectrum antibiotic activity against bacteria, protozoa and fungi. In fact it has such a high degree of potency that it is often more effective than prescription antibiotics used to treat specific pathogens. Berberine has shown particular efficacy at treating infections initiated by group A streptococci (eg ‘strep throat’) as well as overgrowth of candida albicans. Other pathogens for which Berberine has shown antimicrobial efficacy include Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Shigella dysenteriae, and Salmonella typhi. Interestingly, Berberine appears to not only destroy the pathogen, but also prevents its adherence to host cells thus disabling the initiation of infection. One of the benefits of using herbal medicine for antibiotic therapy is their multi-faceted action on the pathogen, meaning that it is virtually impossible for that pathogen to develop resistance and evade destruction. This is in stark contrast to the over-prescription of pharmaceutical antibiotics which have singular modes of action, resulting in widespread prevalence of antibiotic resistant pathogens over the last few decades.
Cardiovascular protection
Berberine displays a wide range of cardiovascular activity: Berberine stimulates the up regulation of nitric oxide synthase, thus increasing vasodilation in the blood vessels and subsequently lowering blood pressure. Berberine also appears to lower thromboxane B2 levels via direct inhibition of calcium ion influx in the cell, markedly reducing blood coagulation and clot formation. Berberine also inhibits the voltage-dependent and ATP-sensitive potassium channels directly involved in cardiac arrhythmia, thus aiding the restoration of a regular heartbeat. And finally Berberine has displayed the ability to lower LDL cholesterol by up-regulating LDL receptor activity in the liver, effectively increasing the removal of LDL particles from circulation. Interestingly, this cholesterol lowering activity seems to be exponentially increased by the addition of plant stanols to the treatment protocol.
Anti diabetic activity
Berberine appears to have the ability to increase insulin receptor expression in the body, aiding the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream and reducing insulin resistance. It also stimulates the secretion of insulin from the beta cells of the pancreas, and blocks glucose absorption in the intestinal wall via the inhibition of alpha-glucosidase. This wide range of activity makes Berberine an incredibly powerful botanical ally in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Amazingly, Berberine has displayed similar effectiveness to the drug metformin which is commonly used to treat type 2 diabetics, and without the associated possible side effects which include headaches, muscular weakness, indigestion, vomiting, and significant decreases in the absorption of vitamins B9 and B12.
A powerful ally in the treatment of diseases of the modern age
Through its efficacy in treating both cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes and metabolic syndrome, Berberine has an incredible utility in healing those chronic disease processes that seem to be such a part of the modern Western lifestyle. It really is a phytochemical superstar!
In wellness,
James
