Edinburgh Napier University

  Background
Hypertension is the highest risk factor for disease globally. One popular therapy is berberine.
Methods
The review followed the protocol PRISMA-P, and is reported according to the related PRISMA statement. Study quality was assessed using the SIGN methodology.
Results
Five randomised and two non-randomised controlled trials were included with 614 participants. All provided blood pressure data, but none measured cardiovascular events or long‐term adverse events. Studies were highly heterogeneous in experimental intervention, comparator intervention, length to follow-up, participants’ diagnosis, and setting.
Conclusions
The evidence around berberine effect on blood pressure is limited, of low quality, and ultimately inconclusive. Clinicians should be aware that the evidence from randomised trials is not sufficient to establish berberine effectiveness and safety in the treatment of hypertension, and they should balance these findings with the long history of berberine use in the Eastern world. Researchers should improve the standard of designing and reporting studies.