Ancient chinese herb berberine tested to stop heart disease and diabetes in its tracks
NCT ID NCT05749874
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This large, phase 4 trial is testing whether berberine, a natural compound, can prevent heart disease and diabetes in over 2,000 high-risk adults in China. Participants take berberine or a placebo twice daily, plus receive lifestyle advice. The study tracks blood sugar and heart health over time to see if berberine reduces the risk of developing these conditions.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- berberine hydrochloride
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, affordable supplement to help prevent heart disease and diabetes in people at high risk.
- What could go wrong
- This is a single large trial in China, so results may not apply to other populations. Berberine can cause digestive side effects and may interact with other medications.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases
Beijing, China
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