Palmatine
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Palmatine is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 300 participants, researched for Antimicrobial Activity, Blood Sugar Control, Liver Health and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Antimicrobial Activity
WeakBlood Sugar Control
WeakLiver Health
WeakAnti-inflammatory Activity
WeakResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Antimicrobial Activity
To evaluate the antimicrobial spectrum of Palmatine from Berberis and Coptis species
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To evaluate the antimicrobial spectrum of Palmatine from Berberis and Coptis species
Dose
Palmatine 0.25-32 μg/mL
Participants
12 pathogenic strains
Duration
24-72 hours
Results
Palmatine demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (MRSA MIC 2-8 μg/mL), mycobacteria, and Candida species through membrane permeabilization and DNA interaction mechanisms.
How They Measured It
MIC determination against bacterial and fungal pathogens, membrane disruption assay
To evaluate anti-H. pylori activity of Palmatine and synergism with clarithromycin
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To evaluate anti-H. pylori activity of Palmatine and synergism with clarithromycin
Dose
Palmatine 0.5-16 μg/mL + clarithromycin
Participants
H. pylori strains including clarithromycin-resistant
Duration
48 hours
Results
Palmatine inhibited H. pylori including clarithromycin-resistant strains (MIC 2-8 μg/mL) and strongly synergized with clarithromycin (FIC <0.25). Urease inhibition may contribute to its anti-H. pylori activity.
How They Measured It
H. pylori MIC, urease inhibition, bactericidal kinetics, FIC analysis
Blood Sugar Control
To investigate antidiabetic effects of Palmatine in high-fat diet/STZ-induced diabetes
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate antidiabetic effects of Palmatine in high-fat diet/STZ-induced diabetes
Dose
50-100 mg/kg Palmatine
Participants
24 type 2 diabetic rats
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Palmatine significantly reduced fasting glucose and area under the OGTT curve, improved insulin sensitivity, increased hepatic glycogen content, and upregulated GLUT2 expression in liver and intestine.
How They Measured It
Fasting glucose, OGTT, insulin, HOMA-IR, liver glycogen, glucose transporter expression
To characterize the mechanism by which Palmatine inhibits α-glucosidase and α-amylase
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To characterize the mechanism by which Palmatine inhibits α-glucosidase and α-amylase
Dose
Palmatine 10-1000 μM
Participants
Purified α-glucosidase and α-amylase
Duration
Biochemical assay
Results
Palmatine was a potent inhibitor of α-glucosidase (IC50 18 μg/mL) and α-amylase (IC50 42 μg/mL), reducing dietary carbohydrate absorption, with enzyme kinetic analysis confirming competitive inhibition mode.
How They Measured It
Enzyme inhibition kinetics, IC50 determination, molecular docking analysis
Liver Health
To evaluate hepatoprotective effects of Palmatine in NAFLD models
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To evaluate hepatoprotective effects of Palmatine in NAFLD models
Dose
50-100 mg/kg Palmatine
Participants
20 mice on high-fat diet with NAFLD
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Palmatine significantly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and liver weight, normalized ALT/AST levels, reduced oxidative stress, and activated AMPK/SIRT1 signaling to reduce hepatic lipogenesis.
How They Measured It
Liver weight, lipid accumulation (oil red O), ALT/AST, lipid peroxidation, AMPK, SIRT1 activity
To systematically review the hepatoprotective effects of Palmatine
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To systematically review the hepatoprotective effects of Palmatine
Dose
Various doses
Participants
Review of 18 studies
Duration
Various
Results
Palmatine consistently demonstrates hepatoprotective effects against chemical injury, NAFLD, and hepatic fibrosis via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid metabolism regulatory mechanisms. Clinical data are lacking.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of animal and in vitro hepatoprotection studies
Anti-inflammatory Activity
To assess the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Palmatine in activated macrophages
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To assess the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Palmatine in activated macrophages
Dose
5-100 μM Palmatine
Participants
RAW 264.7 macrophages
Duration
24 hours
Results
Palmatine dose-dependently inhibited NF-κB activation, MAPK phosphorylation, and reduced production of IL-6, TNF-α, and nitric oxide in LPS-stimulated macrophages at non-cytotoxic concentrations.
How They Measured It
NF-κB activation, cytokine production, MAPK phosphorylation, nitric oxide production
To evaluate anti-colitis effects of Palmatine in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To evaluate anti-colitis effects of Palmatine in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis
Dose
50-100 mg/kg Palmatine
Participants
20 mice with DSS-induced colitis
Duration
7 days
Results
Palmatine significantly reduced colon shortening, improved histopathological scores, lowered colonic TNF-α and IL-1β, and restored tight junction protein expression in inflamed colonic mucosa.
How They Measured It
Colon length, histopathology score, colonic cytokines, tight junction proteins
To investigate Palmatine on gout-associated inflammation via NLRP3 inflammasome
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate Palmatine on gout-associated inflammation via NLRP3 inflammasome
Dose
20-80 mg/kg Palmatine
Participants
24 mice with MSU crystal-induced gout
Duration
7 days
Results
Palmatine significantly reduced uric acid levels, inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation in joint macrophages, reduced caspase-1 and IL-1β, and attenuated synovial inflammation in the gout model.
How They Measured It
Joint inflammation, uric acid levels, NLRP3/caspase-1/IL-1β axis, joint histopathology
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palmatine research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Palmatine (Palmatine), involving 300 total participants. Research covers Antimicrobial activity, Blood sugar control, Liver health and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Weak.
The evidence is currently rated as "Weak Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (0 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Palmatine has been researched for: Antimicrobial activity, Blood sugar control, Liver health, Anti-inflammatory activity. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Currently all 8 studies on Palmatine are animal or in-vitro studies. Human clinical trials are needed before the evidence can be rated above "Weak".
Similar Supplements
Other supplements researched for similar health goals
