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Effect of Gamma-cyclodextrin on the Bioavailability of Berberine

A Phase I, Randomized, Crossover, Double-blind, Pharmacokinetic Study of Berberine Released From Cyclodextrin in Healthy Volunteers

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04918667
Enrollment
16
Registered
2021-06-09
Start date
2024-09-30
Completion date
2026-12-31
Last updated
2023-09-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Drug Absorption

Keywords

Berberine, gamma-cyclodextrin, Pharmacokinetic, Bioavailability, Berberine MetX™ Ultra Absorption

Brief summary

In this study, we will evaluate the relative bioavailability of Berberine (BB) from capsules containing Indian Barberry (Berberis aristate DC.) Bark and Root Extract in the blood plasma of healthy subjects after oral administration of: A. Capsules containing Berberine and GCD (BBA Berberine MetX™ Ultra Absorption, 250 mg) B. Capsules containing Berberine (BB, Berberine MetX™, 500 mg) - (reference product).

Detailed description

Study Background A growing body of evidence suggests that gamma-cyclodextrin (GCD) can increase the clinical efficacy of water-insoluble biologically active compounds with low bioavailability. GCD is the most bio adaptable and helpful to increase the absorption of many drugs, including Berberine from Indian Barberry (Berberis aristate DC.) Bark and Root Extract by forming inclusion complexes or GCD/drug conjugates. Berberine has been recommended in traditional practice and recognized by modern science to support healthy blood sugar†, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and overall metabolic health. But despite these findings, standard Berberine can still be difficult for the body to absorb and use effectively. It's estimated that only about five percent of any given dosage of Berberine makes it into the bloodstream, so finding a way to enhance absorption is key to the full advantage of its benefits. Hypothesis: gamma-cyclodextrin increases absorption and bioavailability of Berberine from Berberine MetX™ Ultra Absorption capsules. The study aims to provide experimental evidence supporting or rejecting this hypothesis. This will be a double-blind, crossover design, pharmacokinetic study, where 16 healthy human volunteers will be randomly assigned to receive two different formulations BBA, and BB, in two consecutive phases of the study: * Phase A. All patients take capsules BBA., provide blood samples in 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours (9 points) after administration following washout period for two weeks. * Phase B. All patients take capsules BB, provide blood samples in 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours (9 points) after administration following washout period for two weeks. Subjects will be in the clinic from not less than 11 hours pre-dose to ensure at least 10 hours fasting before administering the investigational product. They will remain in the facility post-dose until at least 24 hours each period, provided they are not suffering from any adverse event. The concentration of Berberine in all blood samples will be determined using a validated for a limit of detection, accuracy, and precision analytical method (HPLC-MS) with the internal standard - digoxin. Appropriate mathematical methods and Kinetic 4.4.1 software will be used to generate basic pharmacokinetic parameters.

Interventions

COMBINATION_PRODUCTBerberine incorporated in gamma cyclodextrin

Experimental modified product. One capsule contains 250 mg of Berberine from Indian Barberry (Berberis aristate DC.) Bark and Root Extract incorporated in gamma-cyclodextrin

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTBerberine

Active comparator. One capsule contains 500 mg of Berberine from Indian Barberry (Berberis aristate DC.) Bark and Root Extract

Sponsors

Scientific Center of Drug and Medical Technologies Expertise of the Ministry of Health, Armenia
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Cardiomed LLC, Armenia
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry of the National Academy of Science, Armenia
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Phytomed AB, Sweden
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
EuroPharma, Inc.
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Healthy volunteers, as determined by medical history, physical examination, and clinical laboratory testing, * Willingness to stay in the unit overnight for the duration of the study, * Provide a signed written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

* overweight (BMI \>35 kg/m2), * pregnancy, * lactation, * drug abuse, * use of dietary supplements or any form of medication (with the exception of oral contraceptives), * heavy smokers, or ex-smokers with a remote history (\> one pack/day), * frequent alcohol consumption (\>20 g ethanol/d), * adherence to a restrictive dietary regimen, * physical activity of more than 5 h/wk, * respiratory tract infections, or suspicion thereof in the last 14 days before dosing, * history or presence of disease in the kidneys and heart, lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine organs or other conditions such as metabolic disease known to interfere with the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs, * malignancy, * autoimmune disorders such as (but not limited to) lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or sarcoidosis, * any other disease or condition, which, in the opinion of the Investigator, would make the subject unsuitable for this study, * currently taking medications known to be CYP2C9 inducers (i.e., carbamazepine and rifampicin).

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC, expressed in ng x h/mL) of berberine incorporated in gamma-cyclodextrin0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, post-doseThe changes from the baseline the concentration (ng/ml) of berberine in blood plasma obtained after oral administration of the experimental product BBA.
The area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC, expressed in ng x h/mL) of berberine0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, post-doseThe changes from the baseline the concentration (ng/ml) of berberine in blood plasma obtained after oral administration of the active comparator BB.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax, ng/ml) of Berberine incorporated in gamma-cyclodextrin0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, post-doseMaximum plasma concentration (Cmax, ng/ml), of berberine obtained after oral administration of the experimental modified product BBA
Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax, ng/ml) of Berberine0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, post-doseMaximum plasma concentration (Cmax, ng/ml), of berberine - obtained after oral administration of the active comparator BB.
Time to reach maximum plasma concentration, Tmax (h) of berberine incorporated in gamma-cyclodextrin0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, post-doseTime to reach maximum plasma concentration, Tmax (h) of berberine obtained after oral administration of the experimental modified product BBA
Time to reach maximum plasma concentration, Tmax (h) of berberine0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, post-doseTime to reach maximum plasma concentration, Tmax (h) of berberine obtained after oral administration of the active comparator BB.
Mean absorption time MAT (h) of berberine incorporated in gamma-cyclodextrin0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, post-doseMean absorption time MAT (h) of berberine obtained after oral administration of the experimental modified product BBA
Mean absorption time MAT (h) of berberine0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, post-doseMean absorption time MAT (h) of berberine obtained after oral administration of the active comparator BB
The absorption rate constants (Ka, h-1) of berberine incorporated in gamma-cyclodextrin0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, post-doseThe absorption rate constants (Ka, h-1) of berberine obtained after oral administration of the experimental modified product BBA.
The absorption rate constants (Ka, h-1) of berberine0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, post-doseThe absorption rate constants (Ka, h-1) of berberine obtained after oral administration of the active comparator BB.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Effect of gamma-cyclodextrin on time (h) to reach maximum plasma concentration of berberine0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, post-doseThe difference in Tmax (h) of berberine obtained after oral administration of BBA, and BB.
Effect of gamma-cyclodextrin on Mean absorption time (h) of berberine0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, post-doseThe difference in MAT (h) of berberine obtained after oral administration of BBA, and BB.
Effect of gamma-cyclodextrin on absorption rate constant (Ka, h-1) of berberine0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, post-doseThe difference in the absorption rate constants (Ka, h-1) of berberine obtained after oral administration of BBA, and BB.
Effect of gamma-cyclodextrin on the maximal concentration (ng/ml) of berberine in blood0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, post-doseThe difference in Cmax (ng/ml) of berberine obtained after oral administration of BBA and BB.
Relative bioavailability (%) of berberine incorporated in gamma-cyclodextrin0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, post-doseRelative bioavailability (%) of Berberine from 0 to 96 hours defined as the ratio of AUC0-96h for the tested formulation (Berberine MetX™ Ultra Absorption capsules) to the AUC0-96h obtained for the reference product (100%, Berberine MetX™ Ultra capsules), given by the same route of administration in the same dose. F= AUCBBA/AUCBB x 100%

Countries

Armenia, Sweden

Contacts

Primary ContactAlexander G. Panossian, PhD
ap@phytomed.se+46733306226
Backup ContactJennifer Hansgate
jhansgate@europharmausa.com

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026