What is Berberine?
Berberine is a plant alkaloid with a long history of medicinal use in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine [1]. It is a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids [2]. This compound is found in several plants, including Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Coptis chinensis (Coptis or golden thread), Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape), Berberis vulgaris (barberry), and Berberis aristata (tree turmeric) [1].
What is Verapamil?
Verapamil is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels, reducing the work your heart has to do [3]. This drug is widely used for the treatment of various cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain), and certain heart rhythm disorders [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8].
Verapamil is available in various forms, including immediate-release tablets, extended-release tablets, and injections [3, 7, 8]. The choice of form and dosage depends on the specific condition being treated and the patient's overall health status.
Uses
Uses of Berberine
One of the predominant clinical uses of berberine is in treating bacterial diarrhoea, intestinal parasite infections, and ocular trachoma infections [1]. It has also been used to treat various chronic disorders such as diabetes, cancer, depression, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia [9].
Berberine has demonstrated broad physiological functions and has great potential to give a multipotent drug if some inherent problems of poor bioavailability and solubility are handled [10]. It has been found to have multiple pharmacological activities, including lowering blood glucose and lipids, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, relieving type 2 diabetic nephropathy (DN), diabetic cardiovascular disease, diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and other complications [11].
Berberine has also been used to treat ailments like jaundice, hepatitis, fever, bleeding, inflammation, diarrhoea, malaria, skin and eye infections, chronic rheumatism, and urinary disorders [12].
It has been shown to improve blood sugar control, lower cholesterol, inhibit infectious microorganisms, decrease inflammation, alleviate inflammatory bowel disease, lower blood pressure, facilitate weight loss, and even inhibit cancer cells [13].
In addition, berberine has been reported to have neuroprotective effects, including antioxidative, antiapoptotic, and anti-ischemic. It has been used in the treatment of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease [14].
Uses of Verapamil
Verapamil, also known under brand names like Verelan and Calan, is a medication primarily used for managing cardiovascular conditions. It is a calcium channel blocker that affects the movement of calcium into the heart and blood vessel cells, which results in the relaxation of blood vessels and an increased supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload [15, 16].One of the primary uses of Verapamil is to treat heart rhythm problems. It is also used to manage severe chest pain, known as angina [15, 16].
Another significant use of Verapamil is in the treatment of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. By controlling high blood pressure, Verapamil helps reduce the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and kidney failure, which can occur if high blood pressure is left untreated for a long time [15, 16, 17].
Verapamil is also sometimes used to treat other heart-related problems, although it's important to discuss the risks and benefits of this usage with a healthcare provider [17].
Side effects
Side effects of Berberine
Berberine, a plant extract widely used in clinical practice, has been associated with specific side effects. The most common side effects reported are gastrointestinal symptoms. These can include constipation and diarrhoea, which can cause discomfort and inconvenience to the user
[17].
In addition, berberine has been found to cause significant side effects on specific cellular signalling pathways. Specifically, berberine can cause severe signalling side-effects at higher concentrations in the HIF1A pathway and the NFE2L2 sub-pathways, especially and, more importantly, in the AP-1 sub-pathway [18].
Furthermore, berberine has been associated with some cardiac toxicity, which could potentially lead to conflicts between improving the bioavailability and controlling the toxicity of berberine [19].
Lastly, while not expected, some users have reported experiencing muscle weakness, memory problems, changes in mental state, problems with speech, balance, or walking, and vision changes [20].
It's important to note that while these side effects have been reported, berberine is generally considered safe for use. However, as with any supplement, it's always best to consult a healthcare provider before starting a new regimen.
Side effects of Verapamil
Verapamil, a medication used to treat high blood pressure, angina, and certain heart rhythm disorders can cause a variety of side effects.
Common side effects include constipation, face flushing, headache, and nausea and vomiting.
Some people may also experience sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction and feelings of weakness or tiredness [7].
Less common side effects include blue lips and fingernails, blurred vision, chest pain, confusion, and dizziness. Some people may also experience increased sweating, lightheadedness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and unusual tiredness or weakness. Rare side effects include chills, cold sweats, warmth, and redness of the face, neck, arms, and, occasionally, the upper chest [15, 16].
If you experience any of these side effects for a prolonged period, please consult your doctor.
Can you take Berberine and Verapamil together?
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However, it's important to note that while these studies suggest a potential benefit of combining berberine and Verapamil, they are based on animal models. More research is needed to confirm these effects in humans. As with any medication, it's crucial to consult a healthcare provider before starting a new treatment regimen.