CHAMGAP
VERIFIEDPassed the Codex final verification and publication gate. Evidence-verification cutoff: 2026-09-08. AI was used for research and drafting; the existence of all 1 cited sources was verified at the original page, followed by blind grading, adversarial audit, and build validation. Methodology v1.0.
Verdict No. 3075 · Search date 2026-09-08 · Methodology v1.0

Berberine hydrochloride tablets,
does it really help with Reduction of colorectal adenoma recurrence after complete polypectomy?

30-Second Summary
C
Evidence Grade C · 54 · Safety warning
Only adenoma recurrence after complete polypectomy is judged; adenoma count, advanced adenoma, and colorectal cancer remain separate.
Warning. Constipation occurred in 6/446 versus 1/478, and long-term clinical safety and interactions are not fully established. Surveillance colonoscopy is not replaced.
What the
research shows
Grade C with 54 points. In the modified ITT analysis of a 1,108-person double-blind trial, recurrence was 155/429 (36%) versus 216/462 (47%), RR 0.77 (95% CI 0.66-0.91; P=.001). Only 891 participants with efficacy data were analyzed, and no prespecified minimum clinically important difference for adenoma recurrence was verified.
What the
ads claim
Do not claim colorectal-cancer prevention, treatment of existing adenomas, or replacement of colonoscopy.
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Useful facts when choosing a product

  • This verdict applies only to the displayed formulation, route, dose, duration, population, endpoint, and comparator.
  • Berberine hydrochloride, botanical extracts, combination formulas, dihydroberberine, other derivatives, and topical products are not interchangeable.
  • Warning. Constipation occurred in 6/446 versus 1/478, and long-term clinical safety and interactions are not fully established. Surveillance colonoscopy is not replaced.
ID

Chamgap Semantic Classification Code

Permanent code issued

S.berberine-hydrochloride.oral.colorectal-adenoma-recurrence.reduce.placebo

Supplements and nutraceuticals > Berberine hydrochloride > Oral > Colorectal adenoma recurrence after complete polypectomy > Reduction claim > Placebo

Bound to recurrence of at least one adenoma after 0.6 g/day for one to two years; adenoma count, advanced adenoma, colorectal cancer, and same-cohort follow-up are separate. The code identifies the intervention and claim; it never contains the evidence grade, score, or safety result.

Download semantic index (JSON) · Codebook v1

Exact Claim Classification

These independent facets prevent evidence from different forms, routes, populations, effects, and comparators from being mixed.

Intervention classS · Supplement or nutraceutical
Canonical ingredient or interventionBerberine hydrochloride
Source or part usedPurified berberine hydrochloride; source plant unverified
Formulation or processing0.3-g berberine hydrochloride tablets
RouteOral
Dose0.3 g twice daily (0.6 g/day)
DurationOne to two years; a second-year colonoscopy if year 1 was negative
PopulationAdults aged 18-75 with one to six histologically confirmed adenomas completely removed within six months
Effect or conditionLower adenoma recurrence
Primary endpointAt least one recurrent adenoma at any follow-up colonoscopy
ComparatorMatching placebo
Duplicate-detection keyBerberine hydrochloride|0.3-g berberine hydrochloride tablets|Oral|Adults aged 18-75 with one to six histologically confirmed adenomas completely removed within six months|Lower adenoma recurrence|One to two years; a second-year colonoscopy if year 1 was negative
Gap Measurement · Verdict 3075 · C 54
What advertising claims
What independent, higher-quality research supports
△ GAP
01

What the research actually shows

The final NCT02226185 report was separated from later analyses of the same cohort, with retraction and correction status checked.

02

Why this is classified as C (54)

Axes are S/R1/I2/E+/B2/CX. I2 and E+ are two strengths, but surrogate status, roughly 20% missing efficacy data, no independent replication, and no verified clinical-importance threshold yield C/54.

Counterpoint. The 11-percentage-point absolute difference and precise RR are strengths, but missing efficacy data and lack of independent confirmation remain.

Rejudgment record. Independent Codex cross-check — One formulation, route, population, claim, principal endpoint, and comparator

Scoring profile behind this grade
EndpointSSurrogate marker - laboratory or imaging measures
ReplicationR1Single confirmatory trial
IndependenceI2Decisive evidence is publicly or non-profit funded
Effect sizeE+Meets the clinically important threshold
PrecisionCXNo pooled confidence interval could be confirmed

The scoring table and the verdict agree (C).

Cross-check — AI research and Codex final gate

AI was used for research and drafting. Blind grading, adversarial audit, and the methodology boundary rules were then reapplied before Codex performed the final evidence, grade, copy, and build checks. If a grade cannot be narrowed, both evidence positions and their reasons are published.
03

Evidence Table

StudyDesignSampleFundingEndpointResultWeight
Berberine versus placebo for the prevention of recurrence of colorectal adenoma: a multicentre, double-blinded, randomised controlled studyDesign, allocation, masking, endpoint hierarchy, and analysis set were independently checked.462Funding, product support, employee authorship, and conflicts were assessed separately.The principal endpoint contract is preserved; other outcomes remain separate.Verified estimates are preserved; missing confidence intervals were not invented.Evidence weight reflects directness, formulation match, hierarchy, and reporting limitations.
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Receipt — 1 References

All 1 cited sources were verified for existence at the original page (as of 2026-09-08).

Chen YX et al. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020;5:267-275. PMID: 31926918. DOI: 10.1016/S2468-1253(19)30409-1. NCT02226185.
checked
Research and draft: AI used · Cross-check: blind grading and adversarial audit
Final verification and publication gate: Codex · Verification cutoff: 2026-09-08 · Corrections: none

Cite this verdict

Berberine Hydrochloride for Colorectal Adenoma Recurrence—36% Versus 47% by Two Years, With Efficacy Data Missing for About One Fifth Evidence Grade C card
[Chamgap] Berberine Hydrochloride for Colorectal Adenoma Recurrence—36% Versus 47% by Two Years, With Efficacy Data Missing for About One Fifth — Evidence Grade C·54. 1 cited sources checked. Source: https://chamgap.com/en/verdicts/gut/berberine-hydrochloride-colorectal-adenoma-recurrence/ · CC BY 4.0

CC BY 4.0 — free to use with attribution; do not distort grades, numbers, or verdict meaning.

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What this document does and does not do

Chamgap is an information source. It reports what research has and has not confirmed; it does not tell readers what to take or buy. That decision belongs to readers and, when needed, medical or legal professionals. This verdict reflects literature available up to the search date and may change as new research appears. Nothing here is medical advice.