Barberry is the berry of a bush native to temperate and subtropical regions of the world. They are often added to Asian and European rice pilaf dishes. Scientific studies show that barberry may be useful for a variety of health conditions. However, the advice of a medical professional should be sought before trying to prevent, treat or cure any medical condition with barberry.
Antioxidant
A study published in 2010 in "Food and Chemical Toxicology" found that barberry has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are important because they protect health in a general manner by protecting cells from free radical damage. Although free radicals are a natural byproduct of cellular metabolism, they have the potential to bind to cells and cause their harm or death. The researchers conducted an analysis of the leaves, twigs and roots of the barberry bush and found antioxidants in each.
Tongue Squamous Carcinoma
Tongue squamous carcinoma is a type of tongue cancer that is often caused by alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking. Berberine, a compound in barberry, was found to stop the growth of tumors in tongue squamous carcinoma in a rat model study published in September 2009 in "Anesthesiology Clinics." Therefore, the researchers suspect that berberine may have the ability to prevent to tongue cancers.
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressively spreading forms of cancer. Researchers have found that berberine from barberry may help improve the prognosis for people with this type of cancer. In vitro lab tests showed that berberine directly targeted and killed pancreatic cancer cells, as opposed to healthy ones, according to the findings of a 2010 study published in "Planta Med."
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer is a type of cancer that is relatively unresponsive to chemotherapy treatment in comparison to other types of lung cancers. Berberine from barberry may help people with non-small cell lung cancer. Specifically, berberine was found to stop the proliferation of the cells of this form of cancer both in vitro with human lung cancer cells and in vivo with a mouse model, according to the findings of a study published in January 2009 in "Molecular Carcinogenesis." Also, berberine leads to apoptosis, which is cell death.
References
- RefDoc: "Food and Chemical Toxicology": Evaluation of antioxidant activities and phenolic content of Berberis vulgaris L. and Berberis croatica Horvat; M. Zovko Koncic, D. Kremer, K. Karlovic et al; 2009
- "Anesthesiology Clinics": Berberine Inhibits Human Tongue Squamous Carcinoma Cancer Tumor Growth in a Murine Xenograft Model; Ho Yung-Tsuan, Yang Jai Sing, Chi-Cheng Lu et al; September 2009
- "Planta Med": Berberine Inhibits Cell Growth and Mediates Caspase-Independent Cell Death in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells; Lina Pinto-Garcia, Thomas Efferth, Amada Torres et al; 2010
- "Molecular Carcinogenesis": P53 Cooperates Berberine-Induced Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis of Non-Small Cell Human Lung Cancer Cells in Vitro and Tumor Xenograft Growth in Vivo; S.K. Katiyar, S.M. Meeran, N. Katiyar; Jan 2009
