Tier 4 — mechanistic

Berberine-induced haemolysis revisited: safety of Rhizoma coptidis and Cortex phellodendri in chronic haematological diseases

Linn YC, Lu J, Lim LC, Sun H, Sun J, Zhou Y, Ng HS
Phytotherapy research : PTR 2012 26(5):682-686

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 22002596
DOI
10.1002/ptr.3617
Funding
Funding was not established from the accessible source; this is not a declaration of no funding.
Competing interests
A complete competing-interest declaration was not available in the accessible source; no absence of conflicts is inferred.

Study snapshot

DesignSubset analysis of a single-arm phase I/II herbal study
ModelHuman participants; see population
Sample20 patients receiving berberine-containing herbal mixtures
InterventionRhizoma coptidis and/or Cortex phellodendri within oral herbal concoctions
Duration1055 and 1252 cumulative patient-days for the two herbs
EndpointsAnemia and bilirubin; Organ-function and electrolyte safety

What the study showed, in plain terms

The adult case series did not identify organ toxicity or worsening anemia, although transient bilirubin elevations occurred in three thalassemia patients.

Key findings

  • The adult case series did not identify organ toxicity or worsening anemia, although transient bilirubin elevations occurred in three thalassemia patients.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Multi-herb exposure, uncontrolled design and adults with blood disorders; cannot establish safety of isolated berberine in neonates or pregnancy.

Source detail: indexed abstract and bibliographic record; unavailable methods or disclosures are identified rather than assumed.

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Variability in Potency Among Commercial Preparations of Berberine
Funk RS et al. · Journal of dietary supplements · 2018
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Displacement of bilirubin from albumin by berberine
Chan E et al. · Biology of the neonate · 1993

Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

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Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology