Berberine extract 98% | Phelodendron chinense

Berberine extract 98% | Phelodendron chinense

Properties: Properties of many plants that contain berberine have been discovered a long time ago. Due to its bright yellow color it was often used in order to paint fabric, skin, and wood. However, in the age of artificial pigments, its pro-health features are far more interesting. In the ancient times the sources of berberine have found many applications – they were used to heal the gastrointestinal tract, purify the organism, and support the immune system. Today, science has uncovered the reason why these traditional therapies actually worked. 

The liver plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal health of the organism. Not only does berberine protect this important organ from damages (including these caused by excessive alcohol consumption) but it also improves functioning of the liver. For instance, berberine increases the liver’s sensitivity to cholesterol, thereby decreasing the amount of cholesterol in the organism. Moreover, the supplementation of berberine increments the glucose absorption from the bloodstream, which results in lower blood glucose level. Both effects have been proven in clinical trials.

The effectiveness of berberine supplementation as a slimming aid has also been verified. As it turns out, this compound inhibits fat storage and reduces appetite. Therefore, it is an excellent addition to the diet regime and can significantly improve its effectiveness – even in people with metabolic disorders. The length of this text makes it impossible to describe all the benefits of berberine supplementation, but the most important features include: antimicrobial effects, supporting learning processes by activating the LTP phenomenon and the ability to… support the immune system. For more information check out the “Benefits” section.

Occurrence: Berberine is a bioactive compound found mainly in the plants from the Berberis family, such as common barberry (Berberis vulgaris). The other sources are: Chinese cork (Phellodendron chinense), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), Chinese goldthread (Coptis chinensis), and Arcangelisia flava.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) have been using berberine for millennia. They prescribed the common barberry plant to support the gastrointestinal tract and the liver, soothe any skin ailments, improve the immunity, and cleanse the organism from bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This plant was first mentioned in the book “Shen Nong Beng Tsao” written by Shennong, a legendary Chinese patron of agriculture and medicine. It was also used in ancient Egypt, where it was supposed to provide protection against the plague.

Biochemistry: The Chinese cork plant owes its properties to berberine found in its root. From the chemical perspective, berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid of plant origin. It exists in the form of a quaternary ammonium salt, which allows creating complexes with other compounds. Thanks to that, its absorbability may be improved. Berberine alone is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Its bioavailability is quite low – less than 5%. When administered orally, it is metabolized to four biologically active metabolites. It can cross the blood-brain barrier but it depends on the dosage and time. Berberine supports the immune system due to its antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-parasitic properties. Importantly, it regulates the blood level of cholesterol and glucose.

Fun fact: Berberine is a fluorescent compound. In the UV light it emits very bright, yellow-green colored light. This property is often used in histology (the science of tissues) to stain heparin – a natural factor that prevents blood from clotting in the blood vessels.