Berberine Can Reduce Risk of Colon Polyps

A 2020 study showed that berberine 0.3mg twice daily reduced the number of recurrent colon adenomas compared to placebo during a 2 year period. Colonoscopies were performed annually. Of the 553 patients receiving berberine, 36% developed recurrent adenomas vs 47% in the placebo group of 555 patients. The most common side effect of berberine was constipation, which occured in 1% of patients. Berberine can also cause nausea and stomach discomfort. There were no serious adverse events reported.

Chen YX, Gao QY, Zou TH, Wang BM, Liu SD, Sheng JQ, Ren JL, Zou XP, Liu ZJ, Song YY, Xiao B, Sun XM, Dou XT, Cao HL, Yang XN, Li N, Kang Q, Zhu W, Xu HZ, Chen HM, Cao XC, Fang JY. Berberine versus placebo for the prevention of recurrence of colorectal adenoma: a multicentre, double-blinded, randomised controlled study. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020 Mar;5(3):267-275. doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(19)30409-1. Epub 2020 Jan 8. PMID: 31926918.