berberine

[ bur-buh-reen ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a white or yellow, crystalline, water-soluble alkaloid, C 20 H 19 NO 5 , derived from barberry or goldenseal, used as an antipyrotic, antibacterial, and stomachic.

berberine

/ ˈbɜːbəˌriːn /

noun

1. a yellow bitter-tasting alkaloid obtained from barberry and other plants and used medicinally, esp in tonics. Formula: C 20 H 19 NO 5

Word History and Origins

Origin of berberine¹

1860–65; < New Latin Berber ( is ) ( berberidaceous ) + -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of berberine¹

C19: from German Berberin , from New Latin berberis barberry

Example Sentences

He added many supplements have “antibacterial properties,” like garlic, peppermint, berberine and probiotics, which could treat bacterial overgrowth, but don't have the scientific evidence to support them.

From Salon

Someone said berberine could help but I don’t know much about this supplement.

From Seattle Times

A pilot study tested berberine supplements for three months.

From Seattle Times

That includes berberine, which has been dubbed “nature’s own Ozempic.”

From Scientific American

Experts say that while berberine has proven metabolic effects on the body, whether it can actually induce weight loss remains murky.

From Seattle Times