The anti-hyperglycemia effects of Rhizoma Coptidis alkaloids: A systematic review of modern pharmacological studies of the traditional herbal medicine

Ma et al., 2019 | Fitoterapia | Systematic Review

Citation

Ma Hang, He Kai, ... Ye Xiaoli. The anti-hyperglycemia effects of Rhizoma Coptidis alkaloids: A systematic review of modern pharmacological studies of the traditional herbal medicine. Fitoterapia. 2019-Apr;134:210-220. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2019.03.003

Abstract

Hyperglycemia is a common endocrine system disease, which seriously affects people's health with a increasing morbidity in recent years. Rhizoma Coptidis (RC), one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicines, has been applied to treat diabetes in clinic for thousands of years. Since scientists demonstrated that alkaloids from RC owned the amazing anti-hyperglycemia activities 30 years ago, these compounds have been widely used for the treatment of diabetes and hyperglycemia with unconspicuous toxicities and side effects. With the help of molecular biology, immunology and other techniques, the mechanisms about anti-hyperglycemia effect of RC alkaloids have been extensively discussed. Numerous studies showed that RC alkaloids balanced the glucose homeostasis not only by widely recognizing insulin resistance pathways, but also by promoting insulin secretion, regulating intestinal hormones, ameliorating gut microbiota structures and many other ways. In this review, we combine the latest advances and systematically summarize the mechanisms of RC alkaloids in treating hyperglycemia and diabetic nephropathy to provide a deeper understanding of these natural alkaloids. In addition, the important role of gut microbiota associated with the glucose metabolism is also reviewed.

Key Findings

In addition, the important role of gut microbiota associated with the glucose metabolism is also reviewed.

Outcomes Measured

Requires manual extraction

Population

Field	Value
Population	See abstract
Sample Size	See abstract
Age Range	See abstract
Condition	diabetes

MeSH Terms

Alkaloids
Animals
Berberine Alkaloids
Coptis
Diabetes Mellitus
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Glucose
Humans
Hyperglycemia
Hypoglycemic Agents
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
Phytochemicals
Plants, Medicinal
Rhizome

Evidence Classification

Level: Systematic Review
Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
Vertical: berberine

Provenance

PMID: 30836124
DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2019.03.003
PMCID: Not in PMC
Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09