Berberine
Isoquinoline alkaloid activating AMPK to suppress tumor metabolism and metastasis; induces DNA damage/repair impairment; preclinical synergies for chemo-resistance reversal.
Forms: Berberine capsules or tablets (300–500 mg)
Simple Summary
Berberine flips on AMPK, throttling tumor sugar/fat metabolism and dampening invasion programs. It can raise oxidative stress, impair DNA repair, and re-sensitize resistant ovarian cancer cells to chemo. Human data are strongest for metabolic effects; oncology signals are accumulating.
Evidence at a glance
Moderate — Robust preclinical data; human chemoprevention trial and metabolic studies; limited direct oncology treatment trials.
How it may work
Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, activates AMPK, suppressing glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), disrupting the Warburg effect. It inhibits lipid metabolism, reducing metastasis via MMP16 downregulation, and induces oxidative DNA damage while impairing homologous recombination repair. In ovarian cancer, it modulates autophagy through the LINC01123/p65/MAPK10 axis and sensitizes cells to chemotherapy by overcoming resistance mechanisms.
Targets & pathways
Curated mechanistic targets reported for this agent — how it may act on cells, not proof of a clinical effect.
- AMPK↑Activation leading to metabolic suppression
- Glycolysis / OXPHOS↓Disrupts Warburg effect
- Lipid Metabolism↓
- Metastasis / Invasion↓Via MMP16 downregulation
- Oxidative DNA Damage↑
- Homologous Recombination Repair↓
- AutophagyModulationVia LINC01123/p65/MAPK10 axis in ovarian cancer
- Chemotherapy Resistance↓Sensitizes resistant cells
Often studied / combined with
Combinations reported in the literature, not a protocol or a recommendation.
- Curcumin: Enhanced AMPK/apoptosis.
- Resveratrol: mTOR inhibition; anti-metastatic.
- Quercetin: DNA damage/autophagy modulation.
- PARP inhibitors: For HR-deficient tumors.
- Cisplatin: Resistance reversal.
- Alpelisib: PI3K targeting.
Overlapping mechanisms
- AMPK ↑: Avoid stacking with other strong AMPK activators (e.g., metformin) without monitoring for additive effects.
Safety & interactions
Severity and how well-established each signal is are shown separately. Verify everything with your oncologist or pharmacist — absence here does not mean safe.
- CYP3A4/P-gp substrates (e.g., cyclosporine, digoxin, chemotherapy drugs)Avoid/MonitorMajorTheoreticalBerberine inhibits CYP3A4/P-gp → increased exposure/toxicity.
- Antidiabetic medicationsMonitorModerateTheoreticalAdditive hypoglycemia risk.
- Cisplatin / ChemotherapyConsiderBeneficialTheoreticalMay reverse resistance and enhance efficacy in preclinical models.
Timing
- With meals: To reduce GI upset and improve absorption.
- Divided doses: 2–3 times daily for steady levels.
References
Research
No published studies for Berberine yet
New studies appear here once they’ve been reviewed. Browse all studies.
Dose: as studied, not a recommendation
Ranges seen in adjunct / practice use: 600–1500 mg (po) Divided into 2–3 doses daily. Based on human chemoprevention trial (600 mg/day for colorectal adenoma) and metabolic studies (up to 1500 mg/day); preclinical HED from mouse studies (5–100 mg/kg → ~0.4–8 mg/kg, ~24–480 mg for 60 kg human, adjusted higher for low bioavailability in oncology adjunct settings)., No Rx required. Take with meals for better tolerance; monitor blood glucose as it may cause hypoglycemia. Oncology use supportive—consult clinician..
Trials studying Berberine
Loading current trials from ClinicalTrials.gov… Search ClinicalTrials.gov →
Appears in these protocol claims
Berberine is named in these protocols discussed online. Listed for transparency: being part of a protocol is not evidence that it works, and OncoForge does not endorse them.
- Joe Tippens / Fenbendazole Protocol : Fenbendazole-centered supplement stack popularized through a remission story and online groups.
- Ivermectin / Benzimidazole Protocol Claims : Aggressive online protocols combining ivermectin with fenbendazole or mebendazole.
- Jane McLelland / Metabolic Blocking Claims : Multi-pathway metabolic strategy based around starving cancer fuel routes and blocking escape pathways.
- Fasting-Mimicking Diet / Ketogenic / Press-Pulse Claims : Metabolic approaches focused on glucose, insulin, ketones, fasting stress, and treatment sensitivity.