Coptidis Rhizoma for Obesity, Diabetes, and Dyslipidemia: An Integrated Meta-Analysis and In Silico Study
Abstract
Obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia form an interconnected metabolic disease cluster driven by insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy and multi-target mechanisms of Coptidis Rhizoma for these metabolic disorders through an integrated systematic review, meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), network pharmacology, and molecular docking. Meta-analysis of 19 RCTs (n = 1718) demonstrated that Coptidis-containing formulations, primarily as adjunctive therapy, significantly improved primary clinical endpoints across all three metabolic conditions: body mass index (BMI: SMD = -0.72, 95% CI [-1.00, -0.44], p p p < 0.00001). Network analysis revealed shared targets enriched in lipid metabolism, inflammatory signaling, and PI3K-Akt/MAPK cascades. Molecular docking demonstrated favorable structural compatibility and predicted docking scores (ranging from -7.1 to -9.5 kcal/mol) of berberine toward key hub proteins, including PIK3CA, JAK2, MAOA, and PARP1. Consequently, Coptidis Rhizoma provides tangible clinical benefits across interconnected metabolic outcomes via the multi-target regulation of inflammatory and insulin signaling pathways. Clinically, Coptidis-containing formulations show promise as a complementary adjunct to conventional metabolic therapies, though future large-scale, standardized RCTs remain necessary to confirm long-term safety and optimize dosing regimens.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in computer models (in silico), not in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health. Reported size: 1,718 participants or records.
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