Table 1.
Characteristic of included studies in the meta-analysis.
| Studies | Country | Study design | Participant | Sample size and sex | Sample size |
Trial duration (week) |
Means age | Means BMI | Intervention | Adverse effects | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | CG | IG | CG | IG | CG | Berberine (g/d) | Control group | |||||||
| Kong et al. (52) | China | R, DB, PC, parallel | Dyslipidemia | M/F: 43 | 32 | 11 | 12 | NR | NR | NR | NR | 1 | Placebo | NA |
| Wu et al. (73) | China | R, PC, parallel | Renal transplanted recipients | M/F: 104 | 52 | 52 | 12 | 42.5 ± 10.8 | 39.6 ± 11.9 | 20.5 ± 3.4 | 20.4 ± 3.1 | 0.6 | Control group | Constipation |
| Zhang et al. (78) | China | R, DB, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 110 | 58 | 52 | 12 | 51 ± 9 | 51 ± 10 | 25.2 ± 3.1 | 25.9 ± 3.8 | 1 | Placebo | NA |
| Yin et al. (76) | China | R, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 31 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 25–75 | 25–75 | 26 ± 2.6 | 26 ± 2.4 | 1.5 | Control group | Transient gastrointestinal adverse effects were reported |
| Kong et al. (63) | China | R, PC, parallel | Dyslipidemia | M/F: 39 | 23 | 16 | 8 | NR | NR | NR | NR | 1 | Control group | No significant adverse effect was reported |
| Zhao et al. (80) | China | R, PC, parallel | Dyslipidemia | M/F: 51 | 35 | 16 | 12 | 43.6 ± 7.8 | 43.9 ± 8.9 | NR | NR | 1 | Silymarin | NA |
| Ebrahimi-Mamaghani et al. (44) | Iran | R, PC, parallel | Metabolic Syndrome | M/F: 38 | 19 | 19 | 8 | 59.1 ± 12.2 | 53.8 ± 9 | 29.3 ± 3.3 | 31 ± 6.4 | 5 | Placebo | NA |
| Golzarand et al. (83) | Iran | R, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 38 | 19 | 19 | 4 | 59.1 ± 12.2 | 53.8 ± 9 | 29.3 ± 3.3 | 31 ± 6.4 | 5 | Placebo | NA |
| Gu et al. (47) | China | R, DB, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 60 | 30 | 30 | 12 | 51 ± 9 | 50 ± 10 | 25.1 ± 2.9 | 26.2 ± 3.6 | 1 | Placebo | NA |
| Zhang et al. (77) | China | R, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 76 | 50 | 26 | 8 | 57 ± 8 | 56 ± 11 | NR | NR | 1 | Metformin | No adverse effect was reported |
| Wei et al. (72) | China | R, PC, parallel | Polycystic Ovary syndrome | F: 59 | 31 | 28 | 12 | 25.74 ± 2.66 | 26.75 ± 2.62 | 25.57 ± 1.6 | 24.91 ± 1.66 | 1.5 | Placebo | NA |
| Meng et al. (59) | China | R, PC, parallel | Acute coronary syndrome | M/F: 130 | 61 | 69 | 4 | 63.07 ± 10.41 | 63.28 ± 10.03 | 24.06 ± 2.49 | 23.5 ± 4.9 | 0.9 | Control group | No sever adverse effect was reported |
| Shidfar et al. (67) | Iran | R, DB, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 42 | 21 | 21 | 12 | 53.1 ± 6.3 | 52.2 ± 4.9 | 27.3 ± 1 | 27.7 ± 1 | 3 | Control group | NA |
| Yan et al. (74) | China | R, DB, PC, parallel | Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease | M/F: 124 | 62 | 62 | 16 | 50.69 ± 9.75 | 50.49 ± 10.72 | 28.08 ± 4.17 | 27.23 ± 2.8 | 1.5 | Control group | NA |
| Derosa et al. (84) | Italy | R, DB, PC, crossover | Healthy subjects | M/F: 144 | 144 | 144 | 12 | 53 ± 11 | 53 ± 11 | 26.8 ± 2.1 | 26.8 ± 2.1 | 1 | Placebo | No patients had serious adverse events in both groups; one patient reported headache and two patients reported transient flatulence |
| Cheng et al. (42) | China | R, PC, parallel | Healthy subjects | M/F: 23 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 53.75 ± 5.97 | 52.7 ± 4.55 | 22.56 ± 3.1 | 22.67 ± 1.91 | 1.2 | Control group | NA |
| Pérez-Rubio et al. (62) | Mexico | R, DB, PC, parallel | Metabolic Syndrome | M/F: 24 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 38.1 ± 2.7 | 36.9 ± 3 | 36.1 ± 2.3 | 34.2 ± 3.6 | 1.5 | Placebo | No significant adverse effect was reported |
| Kashkooli et al. (50) | Iran | R, PC, parallel | Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease | M/F: 80 | 40 | 40 | 12 | 43.2 ± 8.45 | 42.97 ± 8.56 | NR | NR | 0.75 | Placebo | NA |
| An et al. (36) | China | R, DB, PC. parallel | Polycystic ovary syndrome | F: 87 | 44 | 43 | 12 | 28.2 ± 3.8 | 28.4 ± 4 | 24.6 ± 3.1 | 24.2 ± 3.2 | 1.5 | Placebo | The commonly reported study side effects were nausea |
| Zilaee et al. (81) | Iran | R, DB, PC. parallel | Metabolic syndrome | M/F: 106 | 53 | 53 | 6 | 38.96 ± 9.04 | 40.89 ± 9.61 | 31.54 ± 3.92 | 32.37 ± 5.01 | 0.6 | Placebo | NA |
| Fei-qi et al. (46) | China | R, PC, parallel | Acute ischemic stroke | M/F: 44 | 16 | 28 | 12 | 63.31 ± 8.1 | 66.25 ± 8.83 | NR | NR | 1.2 | Control group | NA |
| Dai et al. (43) | China | R, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 69 | 36 | 33 | 104 | 55.31 ± 11.79 | 53.06 ± 10.36 | 24.5 ± 4.01 | 24.1 ± 4.36 | 0.3 | Control group | NA |
| Yan et al. (75) | China | R, PC, parallel | Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease | M/F: 124 | 62 | 62 | 16 | 50.72 ± 9.76 | 50.64 ± 10.69 | 28.06 ± 4.17 | 27.27 ± 2.8 | 1.5 | Control group | Adverse events were mild and mainly occurred in digestive system |
| Zilaee et al. (82) | Iran | R, DB, PC, parallel | Metabolic syndrome | M/F: 106 | 53 | 53 | 6 | 38.96 ± 9.04 | 40.89 ± 9.61 | 31.54 ± 3.92 | 32.37 ± 5.01 | 0.6 | Placebo | NA |
| Kashkooli et al. (50) | Iran | R, PC, parallel | Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease | M/F: 80 | 40 | 40 | 12 | 43.65 | 42.97 | NR | NR | 0.75 | Placebo | NA |
| Lazavi et al. (85) | Iran | R, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 42 | 21 | 21 | 8 | 57 ± 8 | 54 ± 7 | 29 ± 4 | 28 ± 3 | 200 ml | Control group | NA |
| Chang et al. (41) | China | R, PC, parallel | Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease | M/F: 80 | 41 | 39 | 16 | 51.2 ± 9.4 | 50.8 ± 10.4 | 27.4 ± 4.1 | 27.3 ± 3 | 1.5 | Control group | NA |
| Guarino et al. (48) | Italy | R, DB, PC. parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 136 | 68 | 68 | 52 | 56 ± 8 | 55 ± 9 | 34 ± 4 | 34 ± 5 | 1 | Placebo | NA |
| Mansouri et al. (57) | Iran | R, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 60 | 30 | 30 | 12 | 48.2 ± 4.3 | 48.2 ± 4.3 | NR | NR | 200 ml | Placebo | NA |
| Sharma et al. (66) | India | R, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 60 | 30 | 30 | 38 | 30–60 | 30–60 | NR | NR | 1.5 | Conventional | No adverse effect was observed |
| Sharma et al. (66) | India | R, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 60 | 30 | 30 | 38 | 30–60 | 30–60 | NR | NR | 3 | Conventional | NA |
| Asemani et al. (38) | Iran | R, TB, PC. parallel | Women with Benign Breast Disease | F: 85 | 44 | 41 | 8 | 36.17 ± 7.6 | 38.45 ± 6.9 | NR | NR | 480 ml | Placebo | No adverse effect was reported. |
| Rashidi et al. (63) | Iran | R, DB, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 84 | 42 | 42 | 4 | 50.18 ± 4.22 | 45.12 ± 9.55 | 29.81 ± 4.1 | 29.07 ± 5.07 | 1 | Placebo | NA |
| Lazavi et al. (54) | Iran | R, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 46 | 23 | 23 | 8 | 56.86 ± 8.47 | 53.95 ± 6.57 | 29.22 ± 3.98 | 27.78 ± 3.45 | 200ml | Control group | No serious adverse effect were reported. |
| Tahmasebi et al. (70) | Iran | R, DB, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 80 | 40 | 40 | 6 | 54.05 ± 8 | 53.07 ± 7.74 | NR | NR | 1.5 | Placebo | NA |
| Cao et al. (39) | China | R, PC, parallel | Metabolic syndrome | M/F: 80 | 40 | 40 | 4 | 65.5 ± 1.8 | 65.6 ± 1.8 | NR | NR | 1.2 | Control group | Nausea and vomiting |
| Aryaeian et al. (37) | Iran | R, DB, PC, parallel | Rheumatoid Arthritis patients | M/F: 62 | 31 | 31 | 12 | 48.61 ± 11.69 | 47.1 ± 10.75 | 27.9 ± 6.06 | 29.46 ± 5.7 | 3 | Placebo | NA |
| Sanjari et al. (65) | Iran | R, TB, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 80 | 42 | 38 | 12 | 51.8 ± 9.3 | 43.5 ± 10 | 27.2 ± 4.9 | 27.7 ± 5.3 | 0.48 | Control group | No significant adverse effect was reported |
| Soltani et al. (69) | Iran | R, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 65 | 30 | 35 | 8 | 56.1 ± 7.2 | 57.6 ± 7.7 | 29.7 ± 4.4 | 29.5 ± 4.4 | 1 | Control group | NA |
| Khorshidi-Sedehi et al. (51) | Iran | R, DB, PC, parallel | Rheumatoid arthritis patients | M/F: 62 | 31 | 31 | 12 | 48.61 ± 11.69 | 47.1 ± 10.75 | 27.9 ± 6.06 | 29.46 ± 5.7 | 1.5 | Control group | NA |
| Li et al. (56) | China | R, DB, PC, parallel | Sschizophrenia | M/F: 49 | 27 | 22 | 8 | 44.74 ± 10.59 | 41.14 ± 11.51 | 24.73 ± 4.4 | 23.78 ± 2.6 | 0.9 | Placebo | Abdominal distention, constipation, diarrhea, sinus bradycardia |
| Emamat et al. (45) | Iran | R, SB, PC, parallel | Hypertension | M/F: 84 | 42 | 42 | 8 | 53.62 ± 10.34 | 54.5 ± 10.13 | 28.21 ± 2.03 | 27.83 ± 2.32 | 10 | Placebo | NA |
| León-Martínez et al. (55) | Mexico | R, DB, PC, parallel | Dyslipidemia | M/F: 24 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 46.8 ± 10.5 | 44.8 ± 9 | 29 ± 3.3 | 31.5 ± 4.3 | 1.5 | Control group | NA |
| Memon et al. (58) | Pakistan | R, PC, parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 100 | 50 | 50 | 12 | 33.4 ± 2.96 | 33.26 ± 2.6 | 33.5 ± 2.53 | 34.7 ± 4.7 | 1.5 | Metformin | NA |
| Zhao et al. (86) | China | R, DB, PC, parallel | Dyslipidemia | M: 84 | 42 | 42 | 12 | 49.5 ± 11.1 | 44.8 ± 13.5 | 26.3 ± 3.7 | 26.1 ± 3.8 | 1 | Placebo | No significant adverse effect was reported |
| Harrison et al. (49) | USA | R, DB, PC. parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 66 | 33 | 17 | 18 | 58 ± 10.2 | 58 ± 10.7 | 36.7 ± 6.88 | 35 ± 6.18 | 1 | Placebo | Diarrhea and abdominal discomfort |
| Harrison et al. (49) | USA | R, DB, PC. parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 67 | 34 | 16 | 18 | 53 ± 12.2 | 58 ± 10.7 | 36.3 ± 6.28 | 35 ± 6.18 | 2 | Placebo | Diarrhea and abdominal discomfort |
| Chan et al. (40) | China | R, DB, PC. parallel | Schizophrenia | M/F: 113 | 58 | 55 | 12 | 39.3 ± 11.3 | 36.2 ± 10.8 | 29.3 ± 4.5 | 29.2 ± 4.2 | 0.6 | Placebo | No serious adverse effect was reported |
| Wang et al. (71) | China | R, DB, PC. parallel | Type 2 diabetes | M/F: 175 | 84 | 91 | 12 | 52.07 ± 10.81 | 52.56 ± 9.44 | 25.78 ± 3.36 | 26.26 ± 3.42 | 1.2 | Placebo | NA |
| Nejati et al. (61) | Iran | R, PC, parallel | Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease | M/F: 50 | 25 | 25 | 6 | 40.6 ± 8.8 | 42.2 ± 3.8 | 30.1 ± 4.1 | 29.9 ± 3.8 | 6.25 | Control group | NA |
| Mishra et al. (60) | India | R, PC, parallel | Polycystic Ovary syndrome | F: 86 | 43 | 43 | 12 | 27.1 ± 5.1 | 27.67 ± 5.06 | 24.69 ± 2.99 | 25.46 ± 2.23 | 1 | Metformin | NA |
IG, intervention group; CG, control group; DB, double-blinded; SB, single-blinded; PC, placebo-controlled; CO, controlled; RA, randomized; NR, not reported; F, female; M, male; NR, not reported.