Berberine for Cholesterol
Verdict: Published with Warning
Across 5 PubMed studies, the evidence for Berberine in Cholesterol grades Tier C — weak evidence. Effective, but with safety or population caveats.
C 🟠 C Weak Evidence Published with Warning
Why this grade7-layer evidence engine
⚖️
Scoring transparency
All scores computed by a 7-layer evidence engine — fully auditableRaw score 0.67
D
C
B
A
S
← counter-evidence / ineffectiveeffective / strong evidence →
Final grade
C · Published with Warning
Confidence
75%
Broadly consistent
Evidence level
E2
Multiple high-quality MAs (≥2 independent, consistent)
▸View the full decision path (audit trail)
- compute_raw_score — 加權公式: L2×0.30 + L3×0.25 + L5×0.25 + L11×0.10 + L1×0.10 = 0.665
- tier_from_score — 依分數區間映射至 tier letter
- apply_hec_rules — 高品質 SR/MA 顯示 positive (5 篇 > 0 negative)
- tier_strict_requirement_check — Tier 條件達標，未降階
- detect_disputes — 偵測到 0 個 hard + 0 個 soft dispute
- decide_status — 依 tier + dispute 結果決定 status
PubMed studies (5)L2 · primary research & systematic reviews
Efficacy and safety of berberine for dyslipidaemias: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized c
Finding: Berberine significantly reduced TC (MD -0.47 mmol/L, p<0.00001), LDL-C (MD -0.38 mmol/L, p<0.00001), and TG (MD -0.28 mmol/L, p=0.002); HDL-C increased (MD +0.08 mmol/L, p=0.001).
View on PubMed Overall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults
Finding: Berberine reduced LDL-C by 0.46 mmol/L (95% CI -0.62 to -0.30), TC by 0.48 mmol/L, and TG by 0.34 mmol/L; sex-specific HDL response (women +0.11 vs. men -0.07 mmol/L).
View on PubMed Impact of Berberine or Berberine Combination Products on Lipoprotein, Triglyceride and Biological Safety Ma
Finding: Berberine products reduced TC (MD -17.42 mg/dL), LDL-C (MD -14.98 mg/dL), and TG (MD -18.67 mg/dL); combination formulas produced stronger effects than monotherapy.
View on PubMed Efficacy and safety of berberine for several cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Finding: Berberine alone showed no significant lipid improvement vs. routine care; berberine + statins significantly reduced TC, TG, and LDL-C versus controls.
View on PubMed Efficacy and safety of berberine on the components of metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-anal
Finding: Berberine significantly reduced LDL-C (WMD -0.495 mmol/L, p<0.001), TC (WMD -0.451 mmol/L, p<0.001), and TG (WMD -0.367 mmol/L, p<0.001); no significant effect on HDL-C.
View on PubMed Regulatory & authoritative positionsL4/L5 · FDA / EMA / NIH ODS / Cochrane / Mayo …
L4a US FDA
Cautious
L4b EU EFSA
Against
L4d TW TFDA / 衛福部
Cautious
BERBERINE HCL（鹽酸小檗鹼）含量 100mg，適應症：痢疾、胃加答兒、吐瀉、腹瀉、軟便、腹痛引起之下痢，消化不良性下痢。藥品類別：醫師藥師藥劑生指示藥品。不得連續服用一星期以上。（衛署藥製字第014055號「東洲」喜力安膠囊仿單） source↗
L5a NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Cautious
L5b Mayo Clinic
Cautious
Studies have demonstrated that berberine may reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or 'bad') cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Lowering cholesterol is among the most encouraging results for berberine thus far. source↗
L5c Cleveland Clinic
Supportive
L5e Specialty Society (condition-mapped)
Cautious