(Reporter Yi Xiaofeng correspondent Chang Hui) Berberine hydrochloride for treating gastroenteritis is also "skilled" in improving female reproductive function. The research project of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome led by Professor Wu Xiaoke, director of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, found for the first time that berberine can promote ovulation, improve pregnancy rate and live birth rate, and can promote ovulation and reduce androgen synthesis by relieving ovarian insulin resistance. The related results have been published in the latest issue of The Lancet magazine.

Supported by five projects, including the National Clinical Base of Traditional Chinese Medicine Special Research Fund and the National Natural Science Fund, Wu Xiaoke's research group found that berberine has insulin sensitizing effect and can reduce weight and lipid through a series of mouse experiments. By reducing the toxicity of free fatty acids and the deposition of triacylglycerol in tissues, we can reduce the damage of islet cells, improve islet function and promote insulin secretion, thus achieving the purpose of lowering blood sugar. Studies have proved that berberine can treat metabolic syndrome by acting on insulin pathway, activating AMPK signal pathway and improving intestinal environment.

Wu Xiaoke's research group also conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. They randomly divided 644 PCOS infertile subjects into three groups: berberine placebo group, letrozole placebo group and berberine letrozole group. After six cycles of treatment, it was found that the live birth rate, pregnancy rate and ovulation rate of the three groups were 22%, 36% and 34%, 29%, 46% and 49%, 22%, 39% and 38% and 6%, 59% and 6 1% respectively. The research team also found that the curative effect of berberine activity rate is similar to that of clomiphene citrate, a first-line western medicine.

The most common infertility is polycystic ovary syndrome, which is characterized by abnormal menstruation, abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance. Wu Xiaoke pointed out that compared with traditional western medicine metformin, berberine can effectively lower blood sugar, improve insulin resistance and regulate low-density cholesterol receptors in liver cells, thus effectively reducing blood lipids. Berberine causes fewer adverse events such as gastrointestinal tract, and patients' compliance is high. The research team and its partners, Hong Kong University, Sun Yat-sen University and Harbin Medical University, have published more than 30 papers in international journals such as American Reproduction and Infertility and The Lancet.