Berberine for Joint Health

Herbal compound berberine may protect against rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

• Anti-inflammatory activity. Berberine calms the immune system, reducing inflammation and autoimmune responses involved in arthritis.
• Cartilage-protective activity. Berberine helps protect cartilage from breaking down.

Overview

Berberine is a compound present in some medicinal plants. Most notably, it is the main active ingredient in four herbs employed by Chinese folk medicine – Cortex Phellodendri (huangbai), Rhizoma coptidis (huanglian), Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal) and Coptis chinesis (goldthread).

Traditionally, berberine-rich herbs were used to deal with gastrointestinal infections and inflammatory conditions ranging from simple skin burns to diabetes. These historical uses are backed by medical research highlighting the anti-diabetic, cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties of berberine.

Today, berberine supplements are mainly used to boost the immune system and to help with diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels, and inflammatory disorders. In terms of joint health, animal research indicates that berberine can alleviate rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

How Berberine Might Help With Joint Health

Immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activity

Berberine seems to work mainly by suppressing immune system activity, similar to immunosuppressive drugs. Most notably, it has been shown to inhibit biological pathways that stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as the MAPK and NF-κB pathway. As a result, berberine reduces the levels of cytokines that promote inflammation and play a role in autoimmunity, such as TNF, IFN-γ, KC, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-17. ²

Furthermore, lower levels of these cytokines may lead to reduced proliferation of activated rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RAFLSs), cells which play a role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.³

Cartilage-protective activity

Berberine has also been demonstrated to protect cartilage – the key component of joints – from degeneration by reducing the levels of enzymes that break it down, such as MMP-3. ⁴

Berberine Uses and Benefits for Joint Health

As a joint health supplement, berberine is mostly used by athletes and older adults looking to alleviate joint pain caused by overuse, injury, or arthritis. Although it has yet to be examined in clinical trials, animal research is supportive of berberine’s ability to alleviate the two major forms of arthritis: rheumatoid (autoimmune) arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Research

Animal & Petri Dish Research

A growing volume of cell culture and rodent studies suggest that berberine has joint-protective effects that alleviate autoimmune arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Berberine is a promising therapeutic option for rheumatoid (autoimmune) arthritis

This study examined the efficacy of berberine for collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a rat model designed to simulate rheumatoid arthritis. Berberine was shown to alleviate arthritis and suppress dysfunctional immune responses associated with autoimmune arthritis.

• The researchers concluded that “…berberine ameliorates CIA in rats associated with anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects, which might be of great therapeutic value for RA.”⁵

Berberine may alleviate rheumatoid (autoimmune) arthritis

This study examined whether berberine can help alleviate rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers tested the effects of berberine on both isolated cells and in mice with arthritis. Berberine was found to promote the death of malfunctioning dendritic cells, a type of immune cell that plays a major role in autoimmune disorders, and also improved arthritis symptoms in mice.

• The researchers concluded that “Berberine may thus represent a novel therapeutic agent for RA.“⁶

Berberine may help protect against osteoarthritis

This study examined the effects of berberine on rat cartilage. Berberine was applied to isolated rat chondrocytes (cartilage cells) and administered to rats with osteoarthritis. It was found to protect against cartilage deterioration in both cases.

• The researchers concluded that “…berberine may play a protective role in the development of OA and may be useful in the treatment of OA.”⁷

Human Research

There are currently no published clinical studies on the use of berberine for joint conditions in humans.

Dosage for Joint Health

• There is no established dosage of berberine in human research
• Berberine supplements typically come in 500 – 600 mg capsules of berberine HCL

Available Forms

• Berberine HCL. This encapsulated form is used by most berberine supplements, but the plant extract from which it comes can vary.
• Berberine is frequently combined with other joint-supportive compounds such as chondroitin, MSM, and glucosamine.