Effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Berberis Integerrima on the anthropometric indices and metabolic profile in active rheumatoid arthritis patients

Objectives: Since, the main cause of death in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is the presence of type 2 diabetes, abnormal increase in blood lipids, blood pressure and obesity, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of Barberry on the anthropometric indices and metabolic profile in patients with RA.

Design: present study was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.

Setting: 70 active RA patients were randomly allocated into intervention or placebo group INTERVENTION: Participants received 6 capsules of 500 mg barberry extract or placebo for 3 months.

Main outcome measures: Serum levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride (TG), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic and diastolic blood pressure and anthropometric factors were assessed at baseline and at the end of the trial.

Results: The results of intervention on 62 patients showed that weight, BMI, and conicity index increased in both groups, but this was significant only in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Waist and hip circumference were decreased in the intervention group and increased significantly in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Body fat percent (p = 0.04), LDL-C (p = 0.05) and SBP (p = 0.02) significantly were decreased in the intervention group. The results showed a significant decrease in body fat percent (p = 0.05), hip circumference (p < 0.001), FBS (p = 0.03) and HDL-C (p = 0.03) in the intervention group compared to the placebo.

Conclusions: Overall, the results of this study demonstrated that the extract of Berberis Integerrima had beneficial effects on metabolic profile and anthropometric indices in RA patients.

Keywords: Barberry; Blood glucose; Body weight; HDL cholesterol; Randomized clinical trial; Rheumatoid arthritis.