KP Phyto has invested heavily in understanding the points along the supply chain that must be controlled for the best quality outcomes in Berberine ingredient quality. We also invest into the understanding and development of the research behind Indian traditional botanicals…with a focus this month on Berberine from Berberis aristate grown in India!
Tree Turmeric
Tree Turmeric (aka. Indian Barberry, Berberis aristata), is a shrub with yellow flowers & wood, red berries, grey branches, and oblong leaves. The plant is known for its dense, spiky foliage and bright yellow inner bark, native to the Himalayas. Due to the color of the bark and many similar uses, it is often referred to as ‘Tree Turmeric’.
The berries of Tree Turmeric are often consumed, and roots sometimes employed for making an alcoholic drink. The whole plant is also used as a natural dye or for tanning leather.
A key bioactive compound in Tree Turmeric is berberine, known for its wide-range of applications, including blood sugar balance, as an antimicrobial and for cardiovascular health. This is the source for KP Phyto Berberine, which we carefully control for quality.
In Ayurveda, Tree Turmeric has a long traditional use, and its stems and fruits are used for a wide range of indications, particularly for helping to balance the Kapha and Pitta Doshas.
Various preparations are available. For example, a decoction is often used as a wash. Another preparation is the powder in a paste form with rose water and honey applied topically for skin health. It is often used in blood sugar balance, skin, liver, digestive, and eye health, and digestive issues.
Huge & Growing Market
The Berberine market has strong growth, with an overall global value of USD$ 1670.6 Mn in 2023, forecasted to reach USD$ 4216.3 Mn by 2033, with a CAGR of 9.7% in this period. The main benefits targeted by market are blood sugar balance, heart health and gastrointestinal wellness.
Pharmacology
Through scientific investigation Berberine has been found to have a wide range of activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytokine and blood sugar balancing,
Hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective.
Blood Sugar Balance
Among the wide range of uses of Berberine, currently it has gained the most amount of attention for its use in balancing blood sugar. Several possible mechanisms of action have been found which may contribute to its use in blood sugar balance. One of the mechanisms found in preclinical research is the increasing of glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) secretion, which plays a role in the maintenance of blood sugar control. However, Berberine’s effect on GLP-1 has not been shown in randomized clinical studies to have this effect, which is an area being touted for Berberine in social media.
There are several other possible mechanisms for Berberine’s use in blood sugar balance. One is its ability to increase insulin receptor expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Another, its ability to increase AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, which may stimulate glucose uptake in the skeletal muscle. Lastly, it has been shown to increase peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha and PPAR-delta expression. The potential effect of inhibiting aldose reductase may also help protect the nerves and eyes in states of out of balance blood sugar.
Blood Lipids and Cytokine Balance
Several meta-analyses of clinical studies have found Berberine to cause a reduction of C-reactive protein (CRP). Additionally, it has been found to reduce tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in clinical studies. In preclinical research, it has also shown effects on cytokine balance of several cytokines, including blocking production of interleukin-1 (IL1)-beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Early research has found it may also inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression.
Berberine has been found in several clinical studies to promote healthy blood lipid profiles. One possible mechanism is through inhibition of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9); it may effect the uptake of low-density lipoprotein particles by the liver. Other mechanisms have been found preclinically which may explain its beneficial effects on blood lipid profiles. These include its effects on increasing bile acid synthesis, or by promoting AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the liver and muscles.
Other Beneficial Mechanisms
Several other beneficial mechanisms have been found through research that may result in benefits to a wide range of health outcomes. For example, Berberine has been found to exhibit antioxidant effects through the increase of activity of superoxide dismutase, and reduction of malondialdehyde and superoxide anion. It also has been found to inhibit platelet aggregation, possibly through the inhibition of the synthesis of thromboxane A2. Berberine has also been shown to have muscle relaxant effects , possibly through the inhibition of acetylcholine-included contraction of smooth muscles, as well as gastroprotective effects through the reduction of gastric acid secretion.
Science & The Future
Several areas of research are emerging for the usefulness of Berberine, including its effect on promoting mitochondrial health. A key characteristic that stands out with Berberine is its multi-faceted effects on physiology, with clinical studies showing positive benefits in widespread areas of health and wellness.
For example, a study published in 2022 explored the potential of Berberine in promoting healthy blood sugar balance, cardiovascular health and blood lipid profiles. This randomized controlled trial, involving 200 participants, found Berberine significantly improved insulin sensitivity and lowered fasting blood glucose levels when compared to a placebo group. Participants who received berberine also showed marked reductions in HbA1c levels, indicating better long-term glucose control. Moreover, the study highlighted Berberine’s ability to promote healthy lipid profiles, thus offering a comprehensive approach to managing multiple aspects of aging and western living. The findings underscore the multi-faceted potential of Berberine.
One confounding issue with Berberine has been its low absorption. However, several studies have shown that Berberine exerts a local effect on the microbiome. With this evidence, I think it is likely, also with the range of the main types of benefits observed with Berberine, that we will find that Berberine’s benefits on health start in the upstream physiological processes that have to do with digestion, absorption, blood sugar balance, and then extending to the resulting cascades of hormones and cytokines involved with downstream health outcomes.
Thank you for Reading!
*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.
