Synonyms/Common Names/Related Substances:

• Agracejo (Spanish), agrecejo, almindelig berberis (Danish), alvo (Spanish), anthocyanins, berbamine, Berberidaceae (family), Berberidis cortex, Berberidis radicis cortex, berberine, berberine bisulfate, berberine chloride, Berberis amurensis, Berberis aristata, Berberis asiatica, Berberis chitria, Berberis croatica, Berberis dumetorum, Berberis heterophylla, Berberis koreana, Berberis lycium, Berberis × ottawensis, Berberis thunbergii, Berberis thunbergii 'Grhozam', Berberis thunbergii (PP#18411), Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea, Berberis vulgaris, berberitze, berberrubine, berberry, bervulcine, cannabisin G, columbamine, crespino (Italian), Croatian barberry, curcuma, Daruharidra, epine-vinette (French), European barberry, flavonols, green barberry, green hornet barberry, isotetrandine, Japanese barberry, jatorrhizine, jaundice berry, Korean barberry, kotsakhuri, Lebanon barberry, (+/-)-lyoniresinol, mountain grape, orange rocket barberry, oxyacanthine, oxycanthine, palmatine, pipperidge bush, piprage, -(p-trans-coumaroyl)tyramine, purple barberry, red barberry, Sauerdorn (German), sowberry, tannins, uva-espin (Portuguese), vinettier (French), vulcracine.
• Note: For further information regarding barberry's constituent berberine, please see the Berberine monograph.

Clinical Bottom Line/Effectiveness

Brief Background:

• Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) has been used in Indian folk medicine for centuries, and the Chinese have used berberine, a constituent of barberry, since ancient times. Barberry is also popular in Iran (1) and is included in both British and Indian pharmacopoeias (2). The first documented use of berberine was in 1933 for trachoma (a bacterial eye infection).
• As an invasive, resistant, and highly adaptable shrub, it has proliferated in North America and predominates in 31 American states and four Canadian provinces, particularly those lining the Eastern seaboard and in the Midwest (3;​4;​5;​6;​7).
• Historically, barberry was commonly used for its antidiarrheal and antibiotic properties. In traditional medicinal practices, it has been used to treat metabolic disorders (8), diabetes (9), cystitis (10), joint pain (11), and symptoms of menopause (11). It is used in the form of a liquid extract, given as decoction, infusion or tincture, or consumed as a constituent component of spices (i.e., kotsakhuri) (12), but in general, a salt of the alkaloid berberine is administered.
• In vitro and animal studies have shown berberine to have promising anti-inflammatory (13;​14;​15;​16;​17;​18;​19;​20;​21;​22), antineoplastic (18;​23;​24;​25;​26;​27;​28;​29;​30;​31;​32;​33;​34;​35;​36;​37;​38), hypoglycemic (8;​9;​39;​40), and immunomodulating (41;​42;​43;​44;​45;​46) effects, and future clinical research is warranted in these areas.
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Dosing/Toxicology

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Precautions/Contraindications

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Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

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Mechanism of Action

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History

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Evidence Table

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Evidence Discussion

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Products Studied

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Author Information

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References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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