Berberine: A new (old) drug to treat diabetes?

Preliminary evidence, in the August issue of Diabetes indicates that “berberine displays beneficial effects in the treatment of diabetes and obesity at least in part via stimulation of AMPK [AMP-activated protein kinase] activity.”

Here’s some background.

Berberine is used in Chinese medicine to treat infections and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It also has effects on the heart.

AMPK plays a central role in regulating metabolism in the body in response to nutrients and exercise. A good drawing here illustrates the extensive influence of AMPK activity.

The potential importance of berberine in diabetes might be its ability to address insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes at its most important level — skeletal muscle. Greater understanding of how to activate AMPK in skeletal muscle could lead to significant benefits. Weight control with berberine, unlike many other drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes, would be an added benefit.

8/4/06 9:42 JR