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PapersPMID:38429794

The clinical efficacy and safety of berberine in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Journal of translational medicine2024The record ↗

findings
5
compound
1
endpoints
5
PMID:38429794
  1. Finding, moderate evidencelowersAlanine aminotransferase
  2. Finding, moderate evidencelowersAspartate aminotransferase
  3. Finding, moderate evidencelowersTriglycerides
  4. Finding, moderate evidencelowersLDL cholesterol
  5. Finding, moderate evidencelowersHOMA-IR
Study, every finding
meta-analysis
Dose studied, every finding
berberine 0.6 g to 2 g daily in 9 RCTs, 6.35 g daily in one; 7 to 24 weeks

What moved

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  • Decreases alanine aminotransferase

    moderatereplicated ×2

    “The meta-analysis results demonstrated that berberine exhibited significant efficacy in reducing ALT levels (SMD = − 0.72, 95% CI [− 1.01, − 0.44], P < 0.00001, I2 = 72%; Fig. 3).”
    Effect
    −0.72 standardised mean difference, 95% CI −1.01 to −0.44
    Population
    Adults with NAFLD in pooled RCTs; berberine added to metformin in both-arm-metformin trials (patients with comorbid diabetes) or compared with lifestyle intervention or placebo
  • Decreases aspartate aminotransferase

    moderate

    “In 7 RCTs comprising 632 individuals with NAFLD,, berberine demonstrated efficacy in reducing AST levels, showing a remarkable reduction in the enzyme (SMD = − 0.79, 95% CI [− 1.17, − 0.40], P < 0.0001, I2 = 82%; Fig. 4).”
    Participants
    632
    Effect
    −0.79 standardised mean difference, 95% CI −1.17 to −0.4
    Population
    Adults with NAFLD in 7 pooled RCTs; berberine added to metformin in both-arm-metformin trials (patients with comorbid diabetes) or compared with lifestyle intervention or placebo
  • Decreases triglycerides

    moderatereplicated ×3

    “The comprehensive analysis revealed that berberine exhibited potential in reducing TG levels in NAFLD patients (SMD = − 0.59, 95% CI [− 0.86, − 0.31], P < 0.0001, I2 = 73%; Fig. 6).”
    Effect
    −0.59 standardised mean difference, 95% CI −0.86 to −0.31
    Population
    Adults with NAFLD in pooled RCTs; berberine added to metformin in both-arm-metformin trials (patients with comorbid diabetes) or compared with lifestyle intervention or placebo
  • Decreases LDL cholesterol

    moderatereplicated ×2

    “The results demonstrated a significant reduction in LDL-C levels following berberine intervention (SMD = − 0.53, 95% CI [− 0.88, − 0.18], P = 0.003, I2 = 74%; Fig. 8).”
    Effect
    −0.53 standardised mean difference, 95% CI −0.88 to −0.18
    Population
    Adults with NAFLD in pooled RCTs; berberine added to metformin in both-arm-metformin trials (patients with comorbid diabetes) or compared with lifestyle intervention or placebo
  • Decreases HOMA-IR

    moderatereplicated ×5

    “The meta-analysis findings support the conclusion that berberine exhibited a potential for reducing HOMA-IR levels (SMD = − 1.56. 95% CI [− 2.54, − 0.58], P = 0.002, I2 = 96%; Fig. 10).”
    Effect
    −1.56 standardised mean difference, 95% CI −2.54 to −0.58
    Population
    Adults with NAFLD in 5 pooled RCTs; berberine added to metformin in both-arm-metformin trials (patients with comorbid diabetes) or compared with lifestyle intervention or placebo

Study record

Design
meta-analysis
Species
human
Population
Adults with NAFLD, 10 RCTs, 811 patients; 7 RCTs with comorbid diabetes gave metformin as background to both arms, 3 RCTs used lifestyle intervention as comparator
Participants
811
Comparator
an active treatment / no treatment / placebo
Duration
not reported
Endpoints measured
64