Berberine and Dyslipidemia: Different Applications and Biopharmaceutical Formulations Without Statin-Like Molecules—A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of berberine taken alone or in other formulations (with silymarin or other mixtures) on dyslipidemia through a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis. A systematic investigation was conducted on 19 studies that were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Both controlled trials (n = 12) and cross-sectional trials (n = 7) were included. The following formulations were examined: berberine used alone (n = 5), berberine combined with silymarin (n = 8), and other mixture containing berberine (n = 6). A meta-analysis was performed using a fixed-effects model and meta-regression. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides were considered. Moreover, possible associations of each parameter with age and the dose and duration of the treatment were analyzed. The data obtained showed a significant reduction in TC and LDL cholesterol for each formulation. A reduction in triglycerides was also observed for both TC and LDL but with a smaller impact. As regards HDL, a slight increase was observed, but it was not statistically significant. The formulation of berberine in association with silymarin was found to have the greatest impact on TC, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. The greater efficacy of the formulation consisting of berberine associated with silymarin can probably be accounted for by the fact that the latter increases the bioavailability of berberine. However, it is necessary to carry out further clinical studies to better define the efficacy of the treatment and which patients show the best response.

Analysis of Monacolins and Berberine in Food Supplements for Lipid Control: An Overview of Products Sold on the Italian Market

“…As observed for RYR-containing supplements, a high variability in BBR content among the different product brands was detected. Results from clinical trials show the safety and the efficacy of BBR in reducing plasma lipids at daily doses of between 500 and 1500 mg, either as single compound and as part of standardized natural extracts, or in association with other bioactive compounds [20][21][22][23]. In the products considered in this study, the amount of BBR was between 97 and 667 mg/serving, although following the manufacturer's recommendation regarding daily doses the variability range was increased (Table 3).…”

“…However, differently from RYR supplements, in all the BBR products where variations between quantitative analytical data and amounts reported by manufacturers were observed, the detected amounts were higher, and variability was between 0.2% and 59.7%. Nevertheless, daily BBR doses between 500 mg and 1500 mg are considered well-tolerated and safe [20][21][22][23]. Furthermore, results from a recently published dose-response meta-analysis highlight greater improvements of obesity indices at BBR dosages of >1000 mg/day [34].…”

Nutrition Strategy and Life Style in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome—Narrative Review

“…As with metformin, the beneficial metabolic effects of berberine in type II diabetes are related to the activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Berberine has good hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects, reduces body weight, and is an effective insulin sensitizer [ 100 ]. It also reduces the synthesis of steroid hormones and the expression of ovarian aromatase by acting on the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis, and improves the ovulation rate and the regulation of menstruation, thus increasing the pregnancy and live birth rates.…”

Medicinal plants and bioactive natural compounds as inhibitors ofHMG‐CoAreductase: A literature review

“…Berberine has a lot of beneficial effects on hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and steatosis 144,145 . In two most recent systematic reviews and meta‐analyses, which summarized the effects of berberine (alone or together with silymarin) on lipid profile, it has been shown that berberine consumption caused a significant reduction in both total and LDL‐C 146,147 . A number of preclinical and clinical studies showed that berberine has promising effects of blood lipids, particularly on total and LDL‐C 53,62,148–153 .…”