Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Yin J, Xing H, Ye J
Published in Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental
Methodology
Two-part pilot trial: 36 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients randomised to berberine 0.5 g three times daily or metformin for 3 months, plus 48 poorly controlled patients given add-on berberine
Key Findings
Berberine lowered HbA1c from 9.5% to 7.5% and fasting glucose from 10.6 to 6.9 mmol/L, comparable to metformin, with transient gastrointestinal side effects.
Conclusions
The foundational human trial establishing berberine as a metformin-comparable glucose-lowering agent in a small sample.
Limitations
Small pilot; open-label; short duration; single-country population.
Supplements Studied
The hypoglycemic effect of berberine was similar to that of metformin.
Outcomes Measured
Significant decreases in hemoglobin A1c (from 9.5%+/-0.5% to 7.5%+/-0.4%, P<.01), fasting blood glucose (from 10.6+/-0.9 mmol/L to 6.9+/-0.5 mmol/L, P<.01)
Study Details
Access Study
Disclosures
Funding
Not reported
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