In March 2020 researchers from Japan, UK and Hong Kong published their review of the medical scientific literature to assess the potential of berberine as a treatment for dementia associated with diabetes. A total of 120 studies met the search criteria and were included in the review. Results demonstrated that berberine appeared to have a beneficial effect on the brain, including improving cerebral blood flow. There is also growing evidence that berberine may be effective against diabetes and associated disorders, such as atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, hepatic steatosis, diabetic nephropathy, gut dysbiosis, retinopathy and neuropathy, all of which suggests indirect benefits for the prevention of dementia. The researchers therefore concluded that berberine may delay the development of dementia via multiple mechanisms, eg preventing brain damage, improving cognition, and by reducing risk factors such as metabolic dysfunction, and cardiovascular, kidney and liver diseases.
Shinjyo N et al.Berberine for prevention of dementia associated with diabetes and its comorbidities: A systematic review. J Integr Med. 2020 Mar;18(2):125-151