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Metabolic effects of the association Berberis aristata/Silybum marianum: a preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled study in obese patients with type 2 diabetes

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Nutrafoods

Abstract

Berberine, a quaternary isoquinoline alkaloid present in Berberis aristata, is well known in terms of its cholesterol-lowering, hypoglycemic, and insulinsensitizer effects. Because of its low oral bioavailability, it has been recently formulated along with silymarin (Silybum marianum) to improve intestinal absorption. The aim of our study was to evaluate, versus placebo treatment, the possible effect of its association with silymarin on abdominal fat in overweight/obese patients affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus. Using bioelectrical impedance at enrolment and after 6 months of treatment, we have evaluated the following clinical parameters: waist circumference, trunk fat, and visceral fat. Our results seem to indicate a clinically significant effect for the association berberine+silymarin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy

    Giuseppina Guarino, Teresa Della Corte, Morena Sofia, Lucia Carbone, Giampiero Marino & Sandro Gentile

  2. Diabetes Unit A.I.D. Portici, Naples, Italy

    Emilia Martedì

Authors
  1. Giuseppina Guarino
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  2. Teresa Della Corte
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  3. Morena Sofia
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  4. Lucia Carbone
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  5. Giampiero Marino
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  6. Emilia Martedì
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  7. Sandro Gentile
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Correspondence to Giuseppina Guarino.

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Guarino, G., Della Corte, T., Sofia, M. et al. Metabolic effects of the association Berberis aristata/Silybum marianum: a preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled study in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Nutrafoods 14, 181–188 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13749-015-0052-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13749-015-0052-7

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