Pharmacy and Wellness Review
Abstract
Berberine (BBR) is a chemical found in plants that has been used in medicine for generations across many cultures. Early uses of BBR included maladies such as colds, infections, and jaundice. As technology and understanding have progressed, BBR has been developed into oral formulations to promote better absorption and is being evaluated for use in various disease states. Due to its actions as a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor, BBR is being evaluated for its potential use in the management of hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease. Multiple studies support claims of BBR’s lipid-lowering effects, with stronger evidence when given concurrently with statin therapy. Also, BBR has been shown to help with lowering blood glucose and inflammation, which has led to its evaluation for use in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) either as monotherapy or in combination with metformin.