The Effect of Berberine Supplementation on Glycemic Control and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Metabolic Disorders: An Umbrella Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Clin Ther. 2024 Feb;46(2):e64-e72. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.10.019. Epub 2023 Nov 27.

Abstract

Purpose: Several meta-analyses reported berberine (BBR) supplementation improves glycemic parameters and inflammatory marker, but findings remain inconsistent. Therefore, this study was conducted.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify the relevant meta-analyses up to April 2023.

Findings: BBR supplementation was effective in reducing fasting blood glucose (FBG) (ESWMD: -0.77; 95% CI: -0.90 to -0.63, and ESSMD: -0.65; 95% CI: -0.83 to -0.47), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) (ESWMD: -0.57; 95% CI: -0.68 to -0.46), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (ESWMD: -1.04; 95% CI: -1.66 to -0.42, and ESSMD: -0.71; 95% CI: -0.97 to -0.46), insulin (ESWMD: -1.00; 95% CI: -1.70 to -0.30, and ESSMD: -0.63; 95% CI: -0.94 to -0.32), interleukin (IL)-6 (ESSMD: -1.23; 95% CI: -1.61 to -0.85), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (ESSMD: -1.04; 95% CI: -1.28 to -0.79), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (ESWMD: -0.62; 95% CI: -0.74 to -0.50, and ESSMD: -1.70; 95% CI: -2.21 to -1.19).

Implications: The finding of our umbrella showed that the supplementation of BBR could be effective in improving glycemic parameters and inflammatory marker in adults.

Keywords: BBR; Biomarkers; Glycemic; Inflammation; Obesity; Type 2 diabetes; Umbrella meta-analysis.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Berberine* / pharmacology
  • Berberine* / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Glucose
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Glycemic Control
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Meta-Analysis as Topic
  • Metabolic Diseases*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Substances

  • Berberine
  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Glucose