Effect of berberine and bicyclol on Chinese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a retrospective study.

Objectives: To compare the effect of berberine and bicyclol on patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: Chinese nonalcoholic and non-viral hepatitis patients with a hepatic lipid content > 13% and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS) ≥ 2 were treated with 500 mg berberine thrice daily, together with dietary modification (low-fat diet) and Tai Chi exercise for 4 months (BT cohort; n = 112), or 25 mg bicyclol thrice daily plus dietary modification and Tai Chi exercise for 4 months (CT cohort, n = 145), or dietary modification and Tai Chi exercise for 4 months (DT cohort, n = 128).

Results: Patients in the BT and the CT cohorts had improved anthropometric measurements (weight, height, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio), biochemical parameters (blood sugar, lipid profile, and liver functions tests), liver/spleen computed tomography findings, and liver biopsy results after 4 months of intervention ( < 0.05 for all). Bicyclol decreased the NAS in the CT cohort to a significantly greater degree than berberine in the BT cohort ( < 0.0001, = 3.879). Patients in the DT cohort had reduced body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio ( < 0.05 for both). During the 4-month intervention, patients in the BT cohort had abdominal distension, mild diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and dyspepsia; patients in the CT cohort had dizziness and abdominal distension.

Conclusions: Berberine or bicyclol plus dietary modification and Tai Chi exercise could control NAFLD without serious adverse effects. Dietary modification and Tai Chi exercise alone for 4 months are insufficient for the management of NAFLD. It is possible to reduce body weight by administering berberine or bicyclol.