Berberine Evidence by Cancer Type

Berberine has demonstrated preclinical anticancer activity across more cancer types than almost any other natural compound in this library.

What gives it unusual weight is the human colorectal adenoma prevention RCT published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

Most compounds in this documentation set never reach that level of oncology-relevant human evidence.

The evidence base spans cell studies, animal models, and early clinical data.

Depth and quality vary meaningfully by cancer type.

How to read this section

Each cancer page is built around:

• why berberine is relevant to that cancer biology

• the main mechanisms active in that setting

• the key studies, model, and significance

• subtype context where it changes interpretation

• clinical integration notes

Evidence strength at a glance

• Colorectal: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  Strongest feature: adenoma-prevention RCT and cetuximab sensitisation.
  Clinical data: yes.

• Breast cancer: strongest subtype depth.

  • TNBC: ⭐⭐⭐⭐. Ferroptosis, radiosensitisation, and multi-model support.

  • ER-positive: ⭐⭐⭐⭐. Tamoxifen sensitisation and G1 arrest.

  • HER2-positive: ⭐⭐⭐. Lapatinib-resistance reversal via Nrf2/ROS.

• Lung cancer (NSCLC): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  Strongest feature: p53-independent arrest, cancer-stem-cell suppression, and ferroptosis.
  Clinical data: preclinical only.

• Liver / HCC: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  Strongest feature: glycolysis reversal, radiosensitisation, and SLC1A5 suppression.
  Clinical data: preclinical only.

• Gastric cancer: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  Strongest feature: JAK2/STAT3 blockade and low-glucose synergy.
  Clinical data: preclinical only.

• Pancreatic cancer: ⭐⭐⭐
  Strongest feature: lung-metastasis suppression and metabolomic shifts.
  Clinical data: preclinical only.

• Glioblastoma / brain tumours: ⭐⭐⭐
  Strongest feature: AMPK/mTOR-linked autophagy and glycolysis impairment.
  Clinical data: preclinical only.

• Ovarian cancer: ⭐⭐⭐
  Strongest feature: lipid-metabolism disruption, peritoneal spread, and tumour-microenvironment effects.
  Clinical data: preclinical only.

• Cervical cancer: ⭐⭐⭐
  Strongest feature: HPV E6/E7 suppression, EMT reversal, and apoptosis.
  Clinical data: preclinical only.

• Endometrial cancer: ⭐⭐⭐
  Strongest feature: PI3K/Akt effects, circ_ZNF608 signalling, and taxane sensitisation.
  Clinical data: preclinical only.

⭐ = emerging or limited
⭐⭐⭐ = consistent preclinical evidence
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = human clinical data

Current cancer pages in this section

• Colorectal Cancer

• Breast Cancer

• Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

• Gastric Cancer

• Gynaecological Cancers — includes ovarian, cervical, and endometrial evidence

• Glioblastoma & Brain Tumours

More cancer-specific pages can be added as this section expands.

Liver / HCC and pancreatic are obvious next additions.