Berberine in the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis Reveals Significant Benefits and Potential Therapeutic Applications
Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) represents one of the major causes of disability and mortality worldwide. In response to this significant medical challenge, research has focused on the development of new therapeutic approaches, including the exploration of natural compounds. Berberine (BBR), an alkaloid extracted from certain plants, has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent due to its anti-inflammatory properties. This article summarizes the results of a meta-analysis aimed at assessing the clinical efficacy of berberine in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
The research, conducted through a thorough analysis of nine databases, identified 17 relevant clinical studies involving a total of 1670 AIS patients. The outcomes of this analysis provide a promising outlook on the use of berberine as an integral part of conventional treatment for acute ischemic stroke.
The primary results of the analysis focused on inflammatory markers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The combination of berberine and conventional treatment demonstrated a significant reduction in these markers, suggesting a positive effect in mitigating the inflammatory response associated with AIS.
Furthermore, indicators of the immune system, relevant biomarkers, carotid atherosclerosis, and adverse reactions were examined. The results highlighted a significant reduction in various factors, including complement C3, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), caspase-3, and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). These data indicate that berberine may positively influence both inflammatory aspects and those related to atherosclerosis, contributing to the improvement of AIS patients’ condition.
The evaluation of blood lipids showed a significant reduction in triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients treated with berberine in addition to conventional therapy. These results are particularly relevant, considering that lipid management is a critical aspect in preventing complications related to acute ischemic stroke.
Additional benefits were observed in the assessment of carotid atherosclerosis, with a reduction in carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), the number of unstable plaques, and the Crouse carotid score in ultrasound. These data indicate a positive effect of berberine on atherosclerotic pathology, suggesting potential benefits in the overall management of AIS patients.
A significant finding from the analysis is the positive effect of berberine not only on the reduction of individual markers but also on the overall increase in effectiveness. The combination of berberine with conventional treatment significantly improved overall efficacy, indicating the potential of this combined approach in enhancing clinical outcomes.
Despite these promising results, it is important to emphasize the need for further large-scale randomized controlled studies to confirm the efficacy and safety of berberine as an adjuvant therapy for acute ischemic stroke. Delving deeper into this research could provide a solid foundation for integrating berberine into treatment guidelines to enhance the overall management of AIS.
In conclusion, the meta-analysis highlighted the potential efficacy of berberine as an adjuvant therapy for acute ischemic stroke. Its ability to reduce inflammatory cytokine levels and improve various clinical parameters suggests that berberine could offer a valuable new therapeutic option for AIS patients. However, further research is essential to solidify these results and determine the specific role of berberine in the context of acute ischemic stroke treatment.
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Source: Luo D, Yu B, Sun S, Chen B, Harkare HV, Wang L, Pan J, Huang B, Song Y, Ma T, Shi S. Effects of adjuvant berberine therapy on acute ischemic stroke: A meta-analysis. Phytother Res. 2023 Sep;37(9):3820-3838. doi: 10.1002/ptr.7920. Epub 2023 Jul 8. PMID: 37421347.
