Key findings from detailed records
Population: Study A: 36 people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Study B: 48 people with inadequately controlled blood glucose. Findings: Reductions in HbA1c and blood glucose were reported. Transient gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in 20 participants (34.5%) during the study.
KNOWLEDGE RECORD
- Category
- Metabolism and cellular function
- Last Reviewed
Names and related search termsBerberine / Berberine
Study type: small exploratory studies.
OUTCOME-SPECIFIC EVIDENCE
Scientific Evidence Profile
Assessment pending
An outcome-specific assessment has not yet been completed. This is not a finding that the ingredient is ineffective. The study records below remain available.
This profile concerns the stated outcome and population, not the ingredient as a whole. It is not a probability of benefit, a safety rating, a product efficacy rating or an indication of product adoption.
How we assess evidenceIngredient Profile
- What is it?
- Berberine is an alkaloid—a nitrogen-containing natural compound. A purified compound and a plant extract containing it are different research materials. [1]
Sources for this profile
Compound properties and formulation properties are different. These sources do not establish the efficacy of a finished supplement.
- PubChem — Berberine (CID 2353) Chemical identity reference. Maintained by NCBI, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Database record; not a clinical trial.
Profile sources checked:
Read the evidence in context
- Evidence: what was measured in the stated population or experimental model.
- Inference: an interpretation connecting findings; its applicability depends on the study conditions.
- Hypothesis: a proposed explanation or effect that remains to be tested.
Why It Matters #
Do findings on blood glucose support use in healthy people? Check the detailed records for study conditions and use the literature map to compare other populations and outcomes.
What Was Studied #
Study A: 36 people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Study B: 48 people with inadequately controlled blood glucose. Small pilot studies: a randomized active-controlled trial and an add-on study. Outcomes: HbA1c, blood glucose, lipids and other measures. The hierarchy of primary outcomes was not verified in the abstract.[1]
What Was Found #
Reductions in HbA1c and blood glucose were reported. Transient gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in 20 participants (34.5%) during the study.[1]
What the Evidence Means #
Small studies including an active comparator and an uncontrolled add-on intervention. They do not establish efficacy or safety equivalent to medication.[1]
Comparing similar populations, formulations, durations and outcomes helps identify where findings agree and where they differ.
What We Can Learn #
Do not use findings in patients with metabolic disorders to justify optimization in healthy people or replacement of medication.
What Remains Unknown #
Further questions include reproducibility across populations and formulations, and the long-term balance of benefits and harms. Use the literature map as a starting point for these questions.
LITERATURE MAP / 10 PAPERS
Compare papers by conditions and findings.
A literature map covering different populations, outcomes and formulations. Read alongside detailed records to avoid treating one trial as the conclusion for an entire ingredient.
Selected: 2026-09-21. Bibliographic information checked against Europe PMC / PubMed. Editorial selection considered major papers and a range of populations and questions. This is not a systematic search covering all recent research.
10 RECORDS
A dash marks fields outside the bibliographic record. Use detailed records to compare findings and design records to connect mechanisms.
No papers match. Change the search conditions.
The literature map is an index of research questions and references. Individual assessment of results, doses, funding and COI is limited to the detailed study records. Related reports from the same trial may be included; paper counts are not counts of independent trials.
Explore the research Study Records
Listed doses describe study conditions, not recommended intake.
Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
PubMed 18442638DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2008.01.013
- Authors
- Yin J, Xing H, Ye J.
- Journal
- Metabolism: clinical and experimental
- Publication year
- 2008
- Study design
- Small pilot studies: a randomized active-controlled trial and an add-on study
- Participants
- Study A: 36 people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Study B: 48 people with inadequately controlled blood glucose.
- Dose and intervention
- Berberine 0.5 g three times daily. Study A compared it with metformin.
- Duration
- 3 months
- Outcomes and their role in the study
- HbA1c, blood glucose, lipids and other measures. The hierarchy of primary outcomes was not verified in the abstract.
- Findings
- Reductions in HbA1c and blood glucose were reported. Transient gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in 20 participants (34.5%) during the study.
- Limitations
- Small studies including an active comparator and an uncontrolled add-on intervention. They do not establish efficacy or safety equivalent to medication.
- Funding
- Supported by Xinhua Hospital and partly by an NIH grant to J. Ye (Acknowledgments, PMC author manuscript).
- Conflict of Interest
- No separate author conflict-of-interest declaration was located in the available PMC author manuscript. This is not a declaration of no conflicts.
- Scope of source review
- Bibliographic information and abstract checked. The acknowledgments and availability of a separate conflict-of-interest statement were checked in the PMC author manuscript. A complete critical appraisal of the full paper remains pending.
Cite this page
LÍFSVARÐA. Berberine: Do findings on blood glucose support use in healthy people? Version 1.1 / Updated 2026-10-24
https://lifsvarda.com/knowledge/berberine/Edited by LÍFSVARÐA (product brand).Editorial policy
Safety and interactions
Berberine can cause abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. Avoid use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and do not give it to infants. It can interact with medicines; discuss concurrent treatment with a clinician or pharmacist before use.
Safety section reviewed: 2026-10-24.
Sources and updates
- Yin J, Xing H, Ye J. (2008). Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Bibliographic information and abstract checked. The acknowledgments and availability of a separate conflict-of-interest statement were checked in the PMC author manuscript. A complete critical appraisal of the full paper remains pending.
First published: 2026-09-21 / Version 1.1. Updated 2026-09-23: Added a research comparison table and links to design records. Source notes identify the scope of verification when the full paper has not been reviewed. Research summaries and LÍFSVARÐA’s interpretation are distinguished.