berberine

noun

ber·​ber·​ine ˈbər-bə-ˌrēn How to pronounce berberine (audio)
: a bitter crystalline yellow alkaloid C20H19NO5 obtained from the roots of various plants (such as barberry) and used in medicine especially for its antimicrobial properties

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In this June 2020 study, researchers analyzed the effects of berberine on blood sugar and weight loss. Mark Jackson, Discover Magazine, 4 June 2021 What are the benefits of berberine? Korin Miller, Women's Health, 15 Feb. 2023 The diet pill contains berberine, chromium, cinnamon, and other ingredients typically found in diabetes supplements – not diet pills. Mark Jackson, Discover Magazine, 4 June 2021 Cinnamon may the second most popular diabetes supplement ingredient behind berberine. Mark Jackson, Discover Magazine, 4 June 2021 Barberry is rich with berberine, helping to eliminate the excess fat that is stored on the body. Brian Patrick, Discover Magazine, 21 July 2021 These include chromium, berberine and cinnamon, among others. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 9 Dec. 2022 Numerous studies have shown the effects of natural compounds, such as berberine, an analog of metformin, on improvement of metabolic health, control of lipids, and disease prevention. Nathan Price, Scientific American, 7 Dec. 2022 Smaller trials showed benefit with the supplements berberine and whey protein. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 4 May 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'berberine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

German Berberin, from New Latin berberis

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of berberine was in 1832

Dictionary Entries Near berberine

Cite this Entry

“Berberine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/berberine. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.

Medical Definition

berberine

noun
ber·​ber·​ine ˈbər-bə-ˌrēn How to pronounce berberine (audio)
: a bitter crystalline yellow alkaloid C20H19NO5 obtained from the roots of various plants (as barberry) and used as a tonic and antiperiodic
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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