Barberry (Berberis spp.)
What is Barberry?
Barberry is a member of the Berberis genus. This genus contains a group of similar plants containing the active constituent, "berberine".
Berberine is a potent antibacterial, but has low oral bioavailability. This makes it especially useful for gastrointestinal infections, and topically for sinus infections. The bitter tasting, yellow pigmented extract of Barberry is one of the most popular antibacterial herbs in Western herbal medicine. Its reliability, and strong research base has made it a staple in herbal pharmacies.
This herb is very bitter tasting, which makes it useful as a bitter tonic for liver or gallbladder dysfunctions (see cautions to see why you should stay clear of contraindications associated with this herb).
What Is Barberry Used For?
Barbery is used for topical bacterial, fungal, and parasitic skin infections, gastrointestinal infections, poor digestion, liver or gallbladder insufficiencies, elevated blood lipid levels, fatty liver disease, and high cholesterol.
Traditional Uses of Barberry
+ Western Herbal Medicine
Berberis has a long history of use in western herbal medicine. It was used as a decoction as a blood purifier in the spring months, and topically as a mouth and eyewash [1].
The eclectics generally regarded berberis as a tonic, and for liver and gallbladder issues. They also used berberis for diarrhea, dysentery, and parasitic infections (including malaria) [1].
Herb Details: Barberry
Botanical Info
There are over 500 species in the Berberis genus, the most common one in Europe is Berberis vulgaris [1]. In North America, especially in the rocky mountains Berberis aquifolium (Mahonia) is the most common.
The bark appears brown on the outside, but if cut will reveal a yellow interior, this yellow is due to the high berberine content contained in the plant.
+ Differences In Common Species:
The leaves of Mahonia (Berberis aquifolium) are characteristically shiny, and resemble those of holly. It grows to about 6 feet high and is extremely hardy [5].
Berberis vulgaris leaves are not as shiny as mahonia species. This species has leaves arranged in clusters on short axillary shoots. The leaf shape is obovate to oblong obovate. The leaves can reach up to 4 cm long. [1].
Pharmacology & Medical Research
+ Antibacterial
Berberine has been found to possess significant antibacterial actions, especially against gram-positive bacteria such as E.coli. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus areus (MRSA), and S. epidermidis [1].
Berberine is active against bacteria such as:
- Salmonella typhi [13]
- Escheria coli [1, 13]
- MRSA [1]
- Staphylococcus epidermus/aureus/pyogenes [1, 13]
+ Antifungal
Berberine was found active against:
- Aspergillus flavus/fumigatus [1]
- Candida albicans [1, 3]
- Curvularia [1]
- Drechslera [1]
- Fusarium [1]
- Mucor [1]
- Penicillium [1]
- Rhizopus oryzae [1]
- Scroupulariopsis [1]
+ Antiparasitic
Berberine possesses powerfully anti-parasitic actions comparable to quinine against 2 clones of human malaria (Plasmodium berghei and P. falciparum) [1]. Berberine was not found to be active against P. berghei parasitized mice; however [1].
Berberine was found to possess anti-leishmaniasis activity as well [2].
Berberine was found effective against parasites including:
- Entamoeba histoytica [1]
- Giardia lamblia [1]
- Trichomonas vaginalis [1]
- Plasmodium berghei/falciparum [1]
+ Fatty liver Disease
Berberis has been shown to reduce fatty liver disease in the non-alcoholic version of the disease. These effects were noted through a reduction of liver transaminases (ALT, AST), cholesterol, triglyceride LDL-C, and weight [4]. This is a significant finding because currently there are few treatments for the disease [6].
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), or liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and failure [7-10]. Moreover, a decrease in liver triglycerides leads ultimately to a reduction in insulin sensitivity, and protection against type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome [11].
These disease processes are considered to be closely related, and by treating one, it appears that the other is subsequently being addressed. Therefore, berberine and other herbs that target metabolic syndrome and insulin sensitivity may be an important treatment option for the prevention of NAFLD induced metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes.
Clinical Applications Of Barberry:
Barberry is best used clinically for bacterial, fungal, and most parasitic infections o the gastrointestinal tract or topically on the skin. It is also useful for treating liver disease including fatty liver disease, high cholesterol levels (high HDL signifying liver damage), and metabolic syndromes.
Cautions:
Do not use barberry if pregnant, or experiencing gallbladder stones.
Berberis is contraindicated in pregnancy [1, 13]. This may be an outdated suggestion however, more research is needed.
Contraindicated in the presence of gallstones.
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References:
Bone K, Mills S. (2013). Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Elsevier health. China.
Mahmoudvand, H., Ayatollahi Mousavi, S. A., Sepahvand, A., Sharififar, F., Ezatpour, B., Gorohi, F., Jahanbakhsh, S. (2014). Antifungal, Antileishmanial, and Cytotoxicity Activities of Various Extracts of Berberis vulgaris (Berberidaceae) and Its Active Principle Berberine. ISRN Pharmacology, 2014, 1-6. doi:10.1155/2014/602436
Da Silva, A. R., De Andrade Neto, J. B., Da Silva, C. R., Campos, R. D., Costa Silva, R. A., Freitas, D. D., Nobre Júnior, H. V. (2016). Berberine Antifungal Activity in Fluconazole-Resistant Pathogenic Yeasts: Action Mechanism Evaluated by Flow Cytometry and Biofilm Growth Inhibition in Candida spp. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 60(6), 3551-3557. doi:10.1128/aac.01846-15
Iloon Kashkooli, R., Najafi, S. S., Sharif, F., Hamedi, A., Hoseini Asl, M. K., Najafi Kalyani, M., & Birjandi, M. (2015). The Effect of Berberis Vulgaris Extract on Transaminase Activities in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Hepat Mon, 15(2). doi:10.5812/hepatmon.25067
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Hajiaghamohammadi AA, Ziaee A, Samimi R. (2012). The efficacy of licorice root extract in decreasing transaminase activities in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Phytother Res. 26(9):1381–4.
Jamali R. (2013). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Diagnosis and evaluation of disease severity. 2(4):43–51.
Razavizade M, Jamali R, Arj A, Matini SM, Moraveji A, Taherkhani E. (2013). The effect of pioglitazone and metformin on liver function tests, insulin resistance, and liver fat content in nonalcoholic Fatty liver disease: a randomized double blinded clinical trial. Hepat Mon. 13(5).
Kirovski G, Schacherer D, Wobser H, Huber H, Niessen C, Beer C, (2010). Prevalence of ultrasound-diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a hospital cohort and its association with anthropometric, biochemical and sonographic characteristics. Int J Clin Exp Med. 3(3):202–10.
Chang X, Yan H, Fei J, Jiang M, Zhu H, Lu D, (2010). Berberine reduces methylation of the MTTP promoter and alleviates fatty liver induced by a high-fat diet in rats. J Lipid Res. 2010;51(9):2504–15.
Saeidnia, S., Gohari, A., Kurepaz-Mahmoodabadi, M., & Mokhber-Dezfuli, N. (2014). Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Berberis Species. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 8(15), 8. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.125517
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