TL;DR
Berberine is a protoberberine isoquinoline alkaloid, supplied commercially as berberine hydrochloride (CAS 633-65-8). For sourcing, specify berberine HCl by HPLC — typically 97% or 98%. Botanical origin (Coptis, Phellodendron, Berberis) drives the related-alkaloid impurity profile, so request the HPLC trace.
See our Berberine HCl product page for grades, COA and bulk pricing.
Chemistry & identity
- Common form: berberine hydrochloride (HCl salt)
- CAS: 633-65-8 (HCl) — free base is 2086-83-1
- Molecular formula: C₂₀H₁₈ClNO₄ (HCl salt)
- Molecular weight: 371.81 g/mol (HCl salt)
- Chemistry class: protoberberine isoquinoline alkaloid
- Appearance: yellow crystalline powder
Natural sources
| Plant | Latin | Part used | Typical content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese goldthread | Coptis chinensis | Rhizome | 5–8% |
| Amur cork tree | Phellodendron amurense | Bark | 1–4% |
| Indian barberry | Berberis aristata | Root / bark | 2–5% |
Different sources carry different related protoberberine alkaloids (palmatine, jatrorrhizine, coptisine), which appear in the HPLC impurity profile.
Standardization & assay
- Marker compound: berberine (as the HCl salt), measured by HPLC
- Assay method: HPLC against a reference standard
- Typical bulk grades: 97% or 98% berberine HCl (customizable)
- Lower-percentage botanical extracts (e.g. Coptis extract) are a separate category — clarify the basis.
Research context
Berberine is widely studied. Published research has investigated it in relation to glucose and lipid metabolism endpoints. These are research observations for formulation context, not consumer health or disease claims.
Formulation suitability
- Bitter taste and yellow color — account for masking and staining in finished formats.
- Low oral bioavailability — phytosome and other enhanced-absorption systems exist as separate grades.
- Commonly formulated in capsules and tablets; confirm flow / compaction properties for your process.
Documents available on request
Batch COA (HPLC berberine assay) · TDS · SDS/MSDS · heavy metals · microbiology · pesticide residues · residual solvents · certifications — confirmed per batch at inquiry.
Buyer / RFQ checklist
- Salt form & assay — confirm "berberine HCl" and the HPLC purity (97% vs 98%).
- Botanical origin — Coptis / Phellodendron / Berberis affects related-alkaloid impurities; request the HPLC trace.
- Contaminants — heavy metals, pesticide residues, microbiology per destination market.
- Residual solvents — extraction-solvent profile and limits.
- Dosage-form properties — color/taste masking, flow and compaction for capsules/tablets.
Request berberine COA & pricing →