Berberis and Coptis Species as sources of berberine in glucose-regulating teas and capsules: mechanisms, clinical evidence, and translational challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/bmp.v3i5.1974Abstract
Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid found in medicinal plants such as Berberis vulgaris L. and Coptis chinensis Franch., traditionally used for digestive and metabolic conditions and now widely investigated for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Evidence from recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses supports berberine’s ability to improve glycemic outcomes, including reductions in fasting plasma glucose, postprandial glucose, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), along with improvements in insulin resistance. Many studies also report favorable changes in cardiometabolic risk markers, particularly reductions in triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, as well as modest decreases in selected inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).
These outcomes are supported by mechanistic evidence indicating that berberine may act through activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), enhanced insulin signaling, inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis, modulation of the gut microbiota, and regulation of lipid and inflammatory pathways. Findings from randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggest that berberine may serve as a promising adjunctive strategy for metabolic regulation in patients with T2DM. However, the current literature remains limited by heterogeneity in dosing and formulation, short study durations, and a lack of long-term head-to-head comparisons with standard therapies. Poor oral bioavailability also remains a key translational barrier, supporting the need for enhanced delivery systems and more standardized clinical studies.
Novelty of the study: This mini review distinguishes between isolated berberine, standardized extracts of Berberis vulgaris L. and Coptis chinensis, and whole-plant tea or decoction preparations—an important but often overlooked distinction. It addresses a key gap by focusing on the translational potential of glucose-regulating teas and capsules from these species. While strong clinical evidence supports berberine-rich capsule formulations, the effectiveness of functional teas remains less defined due to variability in phytochemical composition, berberine yield, and bioavailability across preparation methods.
Keywords: berberine; Berberis; Coptis; type 2 diabetes; AMPK; insulin resistance; gut microbiota; bioavailability; inflammation; lipid profile; glucose-regulating teas; glucose-regulating tea capsules
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