Berberine's potential similarity to metformin in addressing glycolipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity, and exploring promising combinations involving berberine, metformin, and cyproterone acetate for treating polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance.

2018 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine The Effect of Berberine on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients with Insulin Resistance (PCOS-IR): A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review Meng-Fei Li, Xiao-Meng Zhou, Xue-Lian Li

Systematic Review Huang Bai Huang Lian

The passage outlines the outcomes of a comprehensive study conducted in the context of treating polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance (PCOS-IR). The study involved screening 225 potential studies, ultimately selecting 9 trials from 10 studies for meta-analysis. The quality assessment of included trials is summarized in Table 2. Notably, the comparisons between berberine (BBR) and metformin (MET), as well as between MET+BBR and MET alone, demonstrated intriguing results. The former comparison showed no significant differences in various parameters, while the latter revealed a combined treatment effect involving reductions in luteinizing hormone (LH), LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio, and testosterone. Another significant focus was the comparison between combining cyproterone acetate (CPA) with BBR versus CPA alone, showing a more favorable impact on parameters like waist-hip ratio, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles in the CPA+BBR group. The discussion delved into BBR's effects on glycolipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and reproductive endocrine conditions. It also explored the potential benefits of combining BBR with Chinese herbs and highlighted BBR's relatively positive safety profile. In conclusion, the study suggested BBR's promise in treating PCOS-IR, but underscored the necessity for further well-designed trials to substantiate its effects and mechanisms in various treatment contexts.

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