Abstract: To evaluate the efficacy of berberine on the patients with IBS, ninty-nine patients with IBS were divided into 3 groups and administered with bererine(200 mg, tid), cerecilon(100 mg, tid)and placebo(vitamine Bco 2 tab, tid)for a 14 day-course respectively. The result showed that the berberine could thereby contribute to improvement in the symptoms of IBS, especially for diarrhea. The total rate of effectiveness of bererine group was 70%, which showed a statistically significant difference(P<0.01). No side effects attributable to the drug were encountered. Bererine is effective and safe in treating IBS patients. Another advantage of the agent is its low cost.

Key words: berberine|irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)|therapy