Berberine is the primary active ingredient (alkaloid) in Berberis vulgaris (barberry). A study that was published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2013 Sep 5;13:218. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-218) looked at the in vitro (performed or taking place in a test tube, culture dish, or elsewhere outside a living organism) biological properties of berberine.
According to the study, berberine is a powerful antioxidant. It also has activity as a glucosidase inhibitor (like many anti-diabetic drugs). It inhibits acetylcholinesterase–like many anti dementia drugs. It also inhibited growth of cancer cells.
The authors concluded, ” This work demonstrates the potential of the barberry crude extract and its active alkaloid, berberine, on suppressing lipid peroxidation, suggesting a promising use in the treatment of hepatic oxidative stress, Alzheimer and idiopathic male factor infertility. Beside, berberis vulgaris ethanolic extract is safe non-toxic extract as it was not inhibit the growth of PBMC that can induce cancer cell death that could return to its powerful antioxidant activity.”
