Effect of berberine and bicyclol on Chinese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a retrospective study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To compare the effect of berberine and bicyclol on patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODS:

Chinese nonalcoholic and non-viral hepatitis patients with a hepatic lipid content > 13% and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS) ≥ 2 were treated with 500 mg berberine thrice daily, together with dietary modification (low-fat diet) and Tai Chi exercise for 4 months (BT cohort; n = 112), or 25 mg bicyclol thrice daily plus dietary modification and Tai Chi exercise for 4 months (CT cohort, n = 145), or dietary modification and Tai Chi exercise for 4 months (DT cohort, n = 128).

RESULTS:

Patients in the BT and the CT cohorts had improved anthropometric measurements (weight, height, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio), biochemical parameters (blood sugar, lipid profile, and liver functions tests), liver/spleen computed tomography findings, and liver biopsy results after 4 months of intervention (p < 0.05 for all). Bicyclol decreased the NAS in the CT cohort to a significantly greater degree than berberine in the BT cohort (p < 0.0001, q = 3.879). Patients in the DT cohort had reduced body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.05 for both). During the 4-month intervention, patients in the BT cohort had abdominal distension, mild diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and dyspepsia; patients in the CT cohort had dizziness and abdominal distension.

CONCLUSIONS:

Berberine or bicyclol plus dietary modification and Tai Chi exercise could control NAFLD without serious adverse effects. Dietary modification and Tai Chi exercise alone for 4 months are insufficient for the management of NAFLD. It is possible to reduce body weight by administering berberine or bicyclol.

• Authors: Qianwen Geng, Peng Zhang, Xiaohua Liu, Linglong Xue
• Journal: Postgraduate medicine (Postgrad Med) Vol. 134 Issue 5 Pg. 507-515 (Jun 2022) ISSN: 1941-9260 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 35382695 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biphenyl Compounds
• Lipids
• Berberine
• bicyclol

Topics

• Berberine (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Biphenyl Compounds
• China
• Humans
• Lipids
• Liver (pathology)
• Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (drug therapy)
• Retrospective Studies