Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Isoquinoline alkaloids, a broad group of plant-derived compounds including berberine, papaverine, and others, have a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, especially in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, for various gastrointestinal ailments, including gastritis. Botanicals containing isoquinoline alkaloids, such as Coptis chinensis (containing berberine) and Berberis vulgaris (barberry), have been used for centuries to address symptoms like epigastric pain, dyspepsia, and inflammation associated with gastritis. The rationale in traditional medicine is partly based on observed antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and mucosal-protectant effects as described in historical pharmacopeias.

However, the direct scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of isoquinoline alkaloids for the treatment of gastritis in humans is limited. There are some preclinical and small clinical studies suggesting that certain isoquinoline alkaloids, particularly berberine, may reduce gastric inflammation and inhibit Helicobacter pylori, a common cause of gastritis. Despite these findings, robust, high-quality randomized controlled trials in humans are lacking, and the evidence base remains insufficient for strong scientific endorsement. Therefore, their use for gastritis is primarily justified by traditional usage rather than firm clinical validation.

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