Evidence supporting the use of: Coptis chinensis
For the health condition: Enteritis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Coptis chinensis, also known as Huang Lian, has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating gastrointestinal disorders, including enteritis. The key active compound in Coptis chinensis is berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid with well-documented antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Modern pharmacological studies provide scientific validation for its use in enteritis. Berberine exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against common enteric pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella species. Several in vitro and animal studies have shown that berberine can reduce intestinal inflammation, decrease secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and help restore gut barrier function in models of infectious and non-infectious enteritis.

Clinical studies, while limited, suggest that berberine and Coptis chinensis extracts may be effective in treating acute infectious diarrhea and enteritis in humans. For example, randomized controlled trials in China have reported improvements in symptoms and reduced duration of illness compared to standard care or placebo. However, most of these studies are small and may lack rigorous methodology by current international standards. Overall, the scientific evidence supporting the use of Coptis chinensis for enteritis is moderate (rated 3/5): there is a plausible pharmacological basis and supportive clinical data, but larger, high-quality trials are needed to confirm efficacy and safety in diverse populations.

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