Date of Award
2-2026
Degree Type
Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review
Degree Name
Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Are berberine-based treatments effective in reducing Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c%) in adults with type 2 diabetes?”
STUDY DESIGN: A review of 3 randomized control trials (RCTs) published between 2015 to 2020 DATA SOURCES: Articles were found on PubMed and Google scholar. Selected articles were published in peer-reviewed journals in English and were chosen based on applicability to clinical questions posed in the objective and meeting inclusion criteria.
OUTCOMES MEASURED: All three RCTs measured the mean HbA1c% over time. A blood sample is taken and laboratory tests are used to measure HbA1c%.
RESULTS: All three RCTs demonstrated statistically significant reduction in mean HbA1c% over time. Derosa et al. demonstrated a change of mean HbA1c% from 7.6±0.8 to 7.1±0.4 (p< 0.05) after 6 months. In the study conducted by Guarino et al, the mean HbA1c% changed from 7.5±0.5 to 6.4±0.4 (p< 0.05) after 6 months. Sanjari et al. revealed a change in HbA1c% from 8.4±1.7 to 7.5±1.6 (p= 0.005). Derosa et al. and Sanjari et al. report no significant difference between the berberine-based intervention and metformin. Guarino et al found a significant difference between both treatment groups (−1.1 ± 0.4 vs −0.4 ± 0.2; p < 0.01). There was an absolute reduction of mean HbA1c% across all three studies that range approximately −0.5% to −1.1%.
CONCLUSION: The findings in all three RCTS suggest that berberine-based treatments are effective in reducing HbA1c%. in adults with type II diabetes. Each RCT demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c% from baseline to the respective endpoint. Further studies are needed to assess tolerability and to compare berberine-based treatments to standard therapies with larger sample sizes.
Recommended Citation
Douangpraseuth, Queenie, "Are Berberine-based treatments effective in reducing Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c%) in adults with type II diabetes?" (2026). PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship. 679.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/pa_systematic_reviews/679