Berberine and silymarin in a bioavailable form for healthy metabolic support – article

Metabolic health is a cornerstone of overall well-being, encompassing a complex interplay of biochemical processes that regulate energy production and utilization within the body. Healthy metabolism not only influences body weight, it impacts various physiological functions, including blood sugar regulation, lipid metabolism, and hormonal balance — all necessary for optimal health. Scientific evidence consistently underscores the significance of healthfully managing metabolism to mitigate the risk of chronic conditions, including metabolic syndrome. Lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise and sleep play pivotal roles in modulating metabolic function. Additionally, research suggests complementary wellness approaches may play a key role in maintaining healthy metabolism.

For those seeking balanced and effective options, nature provides botanical alternatives that work to support and optimize the body’s normal metabolic function, offering a safe and sustainable approach for maintaining optimal and healthy blood sugar metabolism.

Berberine: A botanical offering metabolic support benefits

Berberine is a powerful phytochemical that belongs to a class of compounds called alkaloids. It can be found in evergreen shrubs from the Berberis genus, including Berberis aristata, a well-known medicinal plant in the ayurvedic tradition. Modern science has helped illuminate the health benefits of Indian barberry, especially for supporting better metabolic health.

Scientists have found that berberine positively influences multiple pathways whose impairment may lead to metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that can lead to chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Berberine activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an enzyme that regulates metabolism and energy levels, and activates insulin and low-density lipoprotein receptors. Additionally, berberine has antioxidant effects and can influence gut microbiota composition, contributing to its ability to balance blood sugar, cholesterol and weight, among other potential metabolic benefits.¹

Silymarin: Milk thistle bioactive shows promise

Another botanical that modern science suggests may be beneficial to people who are trying to preserve their metabolic health is milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Recent research has found that the plant’s active compound, silymarin, may help balance blood glucose levels and optimize insulin response. Like berberine, milk thistle also has antioxidant properties that may contribute to its metabolic health benefits.^2,3,4

For brands that want to give consumers natural alternatives to support healthy metabolism but are concerned about poor oral bioavailability, a solution exists. With more than 100 years of experience, Indena offers a science-backed solution for low bioabsorption with its proprietary Indena Phytosome^™ technology.

Since 1921, Milan, Italy-based Indena has been at the forefront of investigating plants for their health benefits. The company has also pioneered a unique delivery system using phospholipids to optimize how natural compounds perform in the body, known as Indena Phytosome^™ — the original multitalented technology platform that enhances the power of phytonutrients.

Indena Phytosome^™ technology combines natural ingredients with phospholipids derived from non-GMO sunflower lecithin, optimizing their dispersion within the gastrointestinal environment and their biological performance in multiple ways. Indena’s growing portfolio of branded Phytosome^™ ingredients specially formulated to optimize bioabsorption and efficacy include Berbevis^® with berberine and Siliphos^® with milk thistle.

Berbevis^® uses Indena Phytosome^™ technology to improve its pharmacokinetic profile in three ways. It incorporates a more soluble berberine extract, utilizes pea proteins in the phospholipid matrix for optimized bioabsorption, and includes Indena’s grape seed extract as a natural antioxidant to protect the intestinal lining from berberine's gastrointestinal side effects, allowing for long-term use.

Berbevis^® boosts berberine bioabsorption compared to standard berberine

Berbevis^® has been supported by three human studies focusing on its ability to balance metabolic parameters in subjects with impaired fasting glucose (prediabetes), subjects with borderline hyperlipidemia and in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These studies reported significant advantages in insulin response, blood sugar profile, blood lipid profile, maintenance of healthy body composition and adipose tissue redistribution, parameters also altered in metabolic syndrome.^5,6,7

Siliphos^® is similarly supported by extensive scientific research and features the flavonolignan silybin, the main active compound in silymarin. In addition to its well-documented ability to help maintain healthy liver function, clinical research involving 180 participants has shown that Siliphos^® optimizes liver parameters and insulin response in the body.^8,9

Siliphos^® greatly optimizes plasmatic levels in silybin in humans with a (4 times) marked improvement over the standard silymarin extract, calculated also by biliary excretion in humans showing the capacity to reach the target organ.¹⁰

Market opportunity blossoming

Natural product consumers have long shown how hungry they are for natural alternatives to address metabolic syndrome. Related supplements comprise the biggest slice of the natural products market according to Nutrition Business Journal's (NBJ) 2023 Condition Specific Report, with U.S. sales up more than 12% in 2022 to nearly $7.5 billion. Combination herbal supplements accounted for just 4% of those sales, suggesting market opportunity and a high growth ceiling for companies formulating products with botanical ingredients.

For brands focused on developing long-term wellness solutions, Berbevis^® and Siliphos^® provide science-backed natural strategies that support health-sustaining approaches to metabolic health.

References:

1 Kong W et al. “Berberine in the treatment of metabolism-related chronic diseases: A drug cloud (dCloud) effect to target multifactorial disorders.” Pharmacol Ther. 2020 May:209:107496.

2 Huseini H F et al. “The efficacy of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) in the treatment of type II diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.” Phytother Res. 2006 Dec;20(12):1036-9.

3 MacDonald-Ramos K et al. “Silymarin is an ally against insulin resistance: A review.” Ann Hepatol. 2021 Jul-Aug:23:100255.

4 Guo Y et al. “Silymarin improved diet-induced liver damage and insulin resistance by decreasing inflammation in mice.” Pharm Biol. 2016 Dec;54(12):2995-3000.

5 Rondanelli M et al. “Berberine Phospholipid Is an Effective Insulin Sensitizer and Improves Metabolic and Hormonal Disorders in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A One-Group Pretest-Post-Test Explanatory Study.” Nutrients. 2021 Oct 19;13(10):3665.

6 Rondanelli, M., et al. "Berberine phospholipid exerts a positive effect on the glycemic profile of overweight subjects with impaired fasting blood glucose (IFG): a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial." European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 27 (2023): 6718-6727.

7 Cesarone, Maria R., et al. "Borderline hyperlipidemia preventive management with Berberine PL in asymptomatic prevention of early atherosclerosis." Minerva Gastroenterology (2023) 

8 Loquercio C. et al., “The effect of a silybin-vitamin e-phospholipid complex on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a pilot study.” Dig Dis Sci., 52(9): 2387-95 (2007).

9 Barzaghi, N., et al. “Pharmacokinetic studies on IdB 1016, a silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex, in healthy human subjects.” European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics 15.4 (1990): 333-338.

10 Schandalik, R., G. Gatti, and E. Perucca. “Pharmacokinetics of silybin in bile following administration of silipide and silymarin in cholecystectomy patients.” Arzneimittel-forschung 42.7 (1992): 964-968.