Berberis Formula

Combination of berberine extracts from natural plant sources
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as a bitter to aid digestion, to help relieve digestive disturbances such as dyspepsia, and as a mild laxative
• Includes goldenseal root extract, barberry root and stem extract, barberry root bark, Oregon grape root extract, and Oregon grape root

Berberis Formula is a blend of barberry, goldenseal and Oregon grape extracts that are traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help maintain gastrointestinal health. The main bioactive ingredient in these extracts is berberine.^1,2 Recent research demonstrates that berberine inhibits bacterial attachment to the gastric mucosa.³ Berberine also mediates the transport of ions and water across intestinal epithelial cells.³ It helps maintain the balance between electrolytes and water, resulting in an anti-diarrheal effect.3 Berberine can increase the expression of the Na+; H+ exchanger and aquaporin,² which help enhance the absorption of sodium and water, respectively.^3,4 Berberine also promotes proper intestinal epithelial tight junction formation, and decreases the permeability of these cells to promote appropriate gastrointestinal barrier function.⁵ During low contractile states, berberine stimulates the jejunum through the activation of muscarinic receptors, resulting in increased intestinal motility, and a mild laxative effect._⁶

References
1. Javadzadeh, SM, Ebrahimi, A. Sci. Agri. 2013; 1(2): 61-66.
2. Siow, YL, Sarna, L, O, K. Food Research International. 2011; 44: 2409-2417.
3. Chen, C, Yu, Z, Li, Y, Fichna, J, Storr, M. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2014; 42(5): 1053-1070.
4. Zhang, Y, Wang, X, Sha, S, Liang, S, Zhao, L, Liu, L, Chai, N, Wang, H, Wu, K. BFitoterapia. 2012; 83: 1014-1022.
5. Gu, L, Li, N, Gong, J, Li, Q, Zhu, W, Li, J. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2011; 203: 1602-1612.
6. Chen, DP, Xiong, YJ, Lv, BC, Liu, FF, Wang, L, Tang, ZY, Lin, Y. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2013; 65(5): 734-744.