Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from some Chinese medicinal herbs such as Coptidis rhizoma, has been used for the treatment of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal infections as an antibacterial drug in Chinese medicine.  In recent years, it was reported to have beneficial effects on the metabolism disorders states of diabetes.  The mechanisms involve many aspects of the diabetes, including regulating the blood   cholesterol and triglyceride, lowering blood glucose, ameliorating the insulin resistant state and influencing the function of the pancreatic β cell.