Coptis chinensis is a variety of Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal), same family but with a higher content of isoquinoline alkaloids with a significantly wider therapeutic range. The main isoquinoline alkaloids are: berberine, hydrastinine, coptisine, palmatine and canadine. It also contains biotin, essential oils, resin, inositol, vitamins A, C, E, minerals and phytosterols. Berberine alkaloids is one of the most powerful anti-parasitic. Destroy most of both intestinal parasites and the presence in the blood or internal organs.

Berberine is known for its beneficial effects. According to its monograph, berberine from Coptis Chinensis root is beneficial in:

• intestinal parasites;
• eye infections;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• inflammatory diseases;
• infection with various parasites;
• bacterial infections: especially sinuses, ears, eyes, urinary system, stomach, intestines;
• viral infections: especially respiratory and herpes.

A comprehensive compilation of the effects of taking Coptis chinensis root (Rhizoma Coptidis) was published in 2009 by a group of researchers from the Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research. It was concluded that Coptis chinensis root extract has an extensive pharmacological activity including potential anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, hypoglycemic activity and LDL cholesterol reduction as well as anti-inflammatory and anti free radicals actions.

As anti-bacterial effect, Coptis Chinensis is also effective against Staphylococcus aureus. The unique character of the coptis extract makes it one of the most effective treatments for Lyme disease caused by infection with Borellia.

It is also an excellent anti-fungal that should not be missed in Disinfestation protocol, especially in Candida infections, Helicobacter, Toxoplasma.

Berberine acts against 43 strains of Staphylococcus aureus.

The hypoglycemic effect of berberine is considered similar to the Metformin medicine. Goldenseal Coptis is therefore useful for type 2 diabetes.

Recent research of the alkaloids in Coptis Chinensis put out their destructive action of telomerase in cancer cells with strong apoptotic- anticancer effect. Anticancer action is also manifested by specific anti-inflammatory effects, knowing that both cellular inflammation leads to the emergence and proliferation of malignant cells.

Berberine in coptis increases AMP activated protein kinase activity leading to activation of p53 phosphorylation leading to increased levels of CDK inhibitor protein, p21. This effect is translated into action anti-proliferative (anti-metastatic) with application in cases of leukemia, melanoma, solid tumors.

Piperine significantly enhances bio-availability increasing the therapeutic efficiency.

It does not contain: dairy products, eggs, gluten, soy, wheat, corn, yeast, nuts, artificial sweeteners, flavors, dyes.

Recommended way of use: 1-3 capsules daily before meals or as advised by a healthcare practitioner.

Cautions:

• Do not drink alcohol during the administration (may reduce the therapeutic effect).
• Do not take sedatives during administration.
• The positive effects begin to appear about 1 week after administration.

More about Coptis Chinensis (root extract)

Other common names:

• Huanglian
• Goldenthread
• Chinese Goldenseal
• Coptis
• Rhizoma coptidis.

Although little known in European pharmacopoeia which employs more its cousin, Hydrastis canadensis, Coptis chinensis is well known and widely used in China since the time Ming dinasty. In the past 10 years Coptis chinensis began to be studied and recommended as a dietary supplement offered both in North America and in Europe.

Coptis chinensis belongs to the family Ranunculaceae, thus directly related to Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenaseal).

Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal) has earned its reputation because of its alkaloids present mainly in the root. The most important alkaloid, berberine alkaloid shows anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Goldenseal is a plant considered endangered in their natural habitat in North America and is protected by law, the raw material currently used by manufacturers of herbal supplements iscultured. More and more manufacturers and pharmacists or herbalists in North America and Europe have switched to Coptis chinesis that grows in abundance in China. The reason is that the same berberine alkaloid found in Hydrastis canadensis is found in Coptis chinensis but in a larger proportion.

The alkaloids in Chinensis coptis have anticancer effect when administered simultaneously with chemotherapy, according to a clinical trial in metastatic breast cancer conducted in 2004 for the U.S. Army by Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research New York, US. The trial was conducted over a period of 6 months using the crescendo doses ranging from 16 capsules of 500 mg per day (Coptis chinensis root extract containing 25% berberine) to a dose of 41 capsules / day. Regarding side effects, only at very high dosages of more than 21 capsules per day, in some patients induced a mild form of diarrhea. The conclusion was that taking Coptis chinesis extract is safe, non-toxic and leads to inhibition of cancer cell proliferation by 50%, the main alkaloid responsible for these effects is Berberine.

Indeed, Berberine is known for its beneficial effects. According to its monograph, Berberine, present in Coptis chinensis root has beneficial effects in bacterial diarrhea, intestinal parasites, eye infections, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory diseases. Berberine is non-toxic at normal dosages and at dosages much higher than usual can only induce slight intestinal discomfort.

Due to anti-inflammatory effect, Coptis chinesis can inhibit cancer metastasis by suppressing the expression of cyclin B1 and CDC24 by inhibiting kinase activity.

In a study conducted at the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland, Coptis chinesis has shown positive effects in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

In a study conducted at the Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases in Shanghai, berberine in Coptis chinensis led to significant improvement of symptoms in type 2 diabetes along with the improvement of the lipid profile.

By anti-inflammatory action Coptis chinensis extract has proven beneficial in hepatocellular carcinoma in a study conducted in 2009 at the University of Hong Kong.

A comprehensive compilation of the effects of taking Coptis chinensis root (Rhizoma Coptidis) was published in 2009 by a group of researchers at the Pharmaceutical Research Institute of Tianjin, China. It was concluded that Coptis chinensis root extract has an extensive pharmacological activity including potential anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, hypoglycemic activity and LDL cholesterol reduction, anti-inflammatory action and anti free radicals. As an anti-bacterial effect, Coptis chinensis is effective against Staphylococcus aureus.

A study in 2010 by researchers at Harvard University School of Medicine, Boston, USA concludes that the anti-inflammatory action of Coptis chinensis is effective in treating cancer when associated chemotherapy.

It can be concluded that the extract from the root of Coptis chinesis has a broader spectrum of action than the North American equivalent Hydrastis canadensis.

Like Hydrastis canadensis, Coptis chinesis root extract is as safe, completely non-toxic and harmless to very high dosages of more than 20 grams / day.

 References

1. Significant differences in alkaloid content of Coptis chinensis(Huanglian), from its related American species; Shreya Kamath et al (Department of Chemistry, St Lawrence University, Canton, New York 13617, USA and 2^nd Department of Biology, St Lawrence University, Canton, New York 13617, USA); Chinese Medicine 2009, 4:17
2. Phase I and II Trial of Huanglian, A Novel Botanical Against Breast Cancer That Enhances Taxol Activity, October 2004, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer ResearchNew York, SUA
3. Berberine Monograph; Alternative Medicine Review, Volume 5, Number 2, 2000, pp 175-177
4. Huanglian, A Chinese Herbal Extract, Inhibits Cell Growth by Suppressing the Expression of Cyclin B1 and Inhibiting CDC2 Kinase Activity in Human Cancer Cells, Xiao-Kui Li et al.; Molecular Pharmacology 58:1287–1293, 2000, USA
5. Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of Berberine, Affuso F et al. World J Cardiology 2010 April 26; 2(4): 71-77
6. Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes and Dyslipidemia with the Natural Plant Alkaloid Berberine, Yifei Zhang et al.( Shanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases), J Clin Endocrinol Metab, July 2008, 93(7):2559–2565
7. Coptis chinensis inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth through nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene activation, Kathy Ka-Waiauyeung, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE 24: 571-577, 2009
8. Recent advance on chemical compositions and pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies of Rhizoma Coptidis; Hai-Yu Xu et al., Asian Journal of Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics 2009; 9(1):11-25
9. Rationale for the Use of Natural Anti-Inflammatory Agents in Cancer Chemotherapy, Dr. Jing Liu et al., North American Journal of Medicine and Science, Jul. 20101, Vol. 3, No.3, pp. 160-166