Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Berberine supplementation for 12 weeks prior to IVF improved the metabolic profile and pregnancy outcome of women with PCOS as effectively as metformin. Berberine also had a higher live birth rate and fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to metformin users.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a combination of symptoms including problems with ovulation, weight gain, male patterned hair growth, acne and infertility in women (2). PCOS is estimated to effect 1 in 10 to 1 in 20 females of childbearing age in the United States (2). The main concern in PCOS is hormone and insulin imbalances, which is why the pharmaceutical metformin is often prescribed to help control insulin levels (1, 2). Recent research has found the herb berberine to be as effective as metformin in improving insulin markers in women with PCOS undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and more effective than metformin in achieving live births (1).
Berberine is commonly grown and used as a nonprescription drug in China. Berberine can be extracted from goldenseal, which is more commonly known in the United States (1).
The research included 150 infertile women with PCOS undergoing IVF treatment. All the women had to have been trying unsuccessfully to conceive for at least two years and scheduled to undergo a first or second cycle of IVF. All of the women, especially the obese women, were encouraged to increase their physical activity and follow a diabetic diet plan. The women were then randomly divided to receive either berberine (500 mg three times a day), metformin (500 mg three times a day) or placebo for three months before ovarian stimulation for IVF treatment (1).
A total of 128 women completed the first 3 months of the study. The final number of participants to receive IVF in each of the three study groups were: berberine (44 women), metformin (41 women) and placebo (43 women). Following treatment, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and waist/hip ratio decreased significantly in all three groups (P<0.05) with the greatest reduction in the berberine group (1).
The berberine group and metformin groups showed significant decreases in total testosterone and free androgen index (FAI), indicating improvement in hormone balance (p<0.05) (1). Both the berberine and metformin group also had improvements in glucose metabolism, fasting insulin and fasting insulin levels (p<0.05) (1).
Berberine was more effective than metformin for fat metabolism, showing a significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL or “bad” cholesterol (p<0.05) (1). Berberine was also more effective than metformin in the amount of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) dosage needed to stimulate ovulation (2362.5 +/- 801.5 IU vs 2512.5 +/- 822.0 IU, P=0.001) (1).
Compared to the placebo group, the number of biochemical and clinical pregnancies were significantly higher in the berberine (54.1% and 59.5%) and metformin groups (52.6% and 47.4%) compared to placebo (p<0.05). The live birth rate was highest in the berberine group at 48.6% (metformin 36.8%, placebo 20.6%; P=0.047) (1).
In conclusion, berberine supplementation for 12 weeks prior to IVF improved the metabolic profile and pregnancy outcome of women with PCOS as effectively as metformin (1). Berberine also had a higher live birth rate and few gastrointestinal side effects compared to metformin (1). Future research in a larger population and supplementing with berberine throughout IVF treatment should be considered (1).
Source: An, Yuan, et al. “The use of berberine for women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing IVF treatment.” Clinical endocrinology 80.3 (2014): 425-431.
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Yuan A, et al. The use of berberine for women with polycystic ovary sundrome undergoing IVF treatment. 2014. Clin Endocrinology; 80 (3): 425-431.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) fact sheet. Office on Women’s Health, US Department of Health and Human Services.
