The effect of barberry supplementation on components of metabolic syndrome: a grade assessment systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

2025-08-30
Journal of health, population, and nutrition 44(1)
- Xiu Zhang
- Qion Lou
- Sho Liou
- Xiaoshan Wang

PubMed: 40886028
DOI: 10.1186/s41043-025-01067-y

Study Design

Type: Meta-Analysis
Sample size: n = 718
Population: adults with components of metabolic syndrome (718 participants from 11 studies)
Methods: systematic review and meta-analysis; literature search up to July 2025; included randomized clinical trials; random-effects model for pooling

Objective

Polyphenol-rich foods, such as barberry, improve cardiovascular risk factors, but evidence remains inconsistent. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out to assess the effects of barberry supplementation on components of metabolic syndrome in adults.

Method

A comprehensive literature search of Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library was conducted up to July 2025. We included randomized clinical trials that examined the effect of barberry on one of the components of metabolic syndrome in this meta-analysis. Weighted mean differences (WMD) were pooled using a random-effects model.

Results

Eleven studies published between 2012 and 2023 were included, comprising 718 participants. Barberry supplementation significantly reduced weight (WMD = - 1.48 kg; 95% CI: - 2.94 to - 0.02), systolic blood pressure (WMD: - 9.84; 95% CI: - 17.36 to - 2.31), diastolic blood pressure (WMD: - 11.31; 95% CI: - 19.63 to - 3.00), total cholesterol (WMD = - 17.90 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 32.99 to - 2.81), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD = - 11.38 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 21.35 to - 1.40), and triglyceride (WMD = - 23.63 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 35.58 to - 11.68), FBS (WMD = - 16.69 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 30.46 to - 2.93), HOMA-IR (WMD = - 0.95; 95% CI: - 1.79 to - 0.12), insulin (WMD = - 1.70 mU/L; 95% CI: - 2.33 to - 1.08). It also increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (WMD = 2.46 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.61 to 4.31). However, no significant effect was found for glycated hemoglobin (WMD = - 0.72%; 95% CI: - 1.85 to 0.40) or body mass index (WMD = - 0.28 kg/m²; 95% CI: - 0.59 to 0.03).

Conclusion

Barberry supplementation elicits modest but significant improvements in key components of metabolic syndrome, including blood pressure, weight, lipid profile, and glycemic indices. These results support its potential as an adjunctive dietary intervention for managing metabolic health.

Research Insights

Barberry→Improved Insulin Levels
Barberry supplementation significantly reduced ... insulin (WMD = - 1.70 mU/L; 95% CI: - 2.33 to - 1.08)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Barberry→Increased HDL Cholesterol Levels
It also increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (WMD = 2.46 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.61 to 4.31)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Barberry→Increased High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (WMD = 2.46 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.61 to 4.31)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Barberry→Reduced Blood Cholesterol
Barberry supplementation significantly reduced ... total cholesterol (WMD = - 17.90 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 32.99 to - 2.81)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Barberry→Reduced Blood Cholesterol
Barberry supplementation significantly reduced ... total cholesterol (WMD = - 17.90 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 32.99 to - 2.81)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Barberry→Reduced Body Mass Index
no significant effect was found for ... body mass index (WMD = - 0.28 kg/m²; 95% CI: - 0.59 to 0.03)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Barberry→Reduced Body Mass Index
no significant effect was found for ... body mass index (WMD = - 0.28 kg/m²; 95% CI: - 0.59 to 0.03)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Barberry→Reduced Body Weight
Barberry supplementation significantly reduced weight (WMD = - 1.48 kg; 95% CI: - 2.94 to - 0.02)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Barberry→Reduced Diastolic Blood Pressure
Barberry supplementation significantly reduced ... diastolic blood pressure (WMD: - 11.31; 95% CI: - 19.63 to - 3.00)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Barberry→Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
Barberry supplementation significantly reduced ... FBS (WMD = - 16.69 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 30.46 to - 2.93)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Barberry→Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
Barberry supplementation significantly reduced ... FBS (WMD = - 16.69 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 30.46 to - 2.93)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Barberry→Reduced Glycated Hemoglobin
no significant effect was found for glycated hemoglobin (WMD = - 0.72%; 95% CI: - 1.85 to 0.40)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Barberry→Reduced HOMA-IR
Barberry supplementation significantly reduced ... HOMA-IR (WMD = - 0.95; 95% CI: - 1.79 to - 0.12)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Barberry→Reduced LDL Cholesterol
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD = - 11.38 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 21.35 to - 1.40)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Barberry→Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level
Barberry supplementation significantly reduced ... low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD = - 11.38 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 21.35 to - 1.40)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Barberry→Reduced Systolic Blood Pressure
Barberry supplementation significantly reduced ... systolic blood pressure (WMD: - 9.84; 95% CI: - 17.36 to - 2.31)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Barberry→Reduced Triglyceride Levels
Barberry supplementation significantly reduced ... triglyceride (WMD = - 23.63 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 35.58 to - 11.68)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Barberry→Reduced Triglyceride Levels
Barberry supplementation significantly reduced ... triglyceride (WMD = - 23.63 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 35.58 to - 11.68)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate