Bulk Berberine HCl Supplier — 97% HPLC Powder, Phellodendron amurense Bark, B2B Wholesale
Valeherb supplies berberine hydrochloride (berberine HCl) bulk wholesale at ≥97% purity by HPLC, extracted from Phellodendron amurense Rupr. bark (Huangbo, 黄柏) and supplied as a fine yellow powder suitable for capsule filling, tablet compression, and powder-blend manufacturing. Berberine is a quaternary ammonium isoquinoline alkaloid and one of the most extensively studied plant-derived compounds in published pharmacological research. Converting berberine to its hydrochloride salt significantly improves water solubility and stability over the free-base form, which is why berberine HCl is the standard commercial form used in nutraceutical manufacturing worldwide.
On this page: product specifications, research background, formulation applications, sourcing criteria, and regulatory guidance.
Product Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 633-65-8 |
| Molecular Formula | C₂₀H₁₈ClNO₄ |
| Molecular Weight | 371.81 g/mol |
| Purity | ≥97% by HPLC |
| Appearance | Fine yellow powder |
| Source | Phellodendron amurense Rupr. bark (Huangbo) |
| Solubility | Soluble in water and ethanol |
| Storage | Cool, dry, light-protected |
| MOQ | 1 kg — pricing and lead time on inquiry |
Research Background
Provided as scientific context for formulators, not as claims for any Valeherb product.
AMPK Pathway Activation
Berberine’s interaction with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is the most widely cited mechanism in published literature. Lee et al. (2006, Diabetes) demonstrated that berberine activated AMPK in adipocyte and myotube cell models, with downstream effects on GLUT4 translocation and reduced lipid accumulation — findings that have been replicated and extended by numerous subsequent studies.[2]
Inflammatory-Pathway Research
Jeong et al. (2009, American Journal of Physiology) reported that berberine suppressed expression of pro-inflammatory mediators including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in macrophage models through an AMPK-dependent mechanism, with the inhibitory effect abolished when AMPK was pharmacologically blocked.[3] These are preclinical in vitro and in vivo findings described here as research context.
Gut Microbiota Modulation
Yang et al. (2023, Frontiers in Nutrition) reviewed berberine’s interaction with the gastrointestinal microbiome, consolidating findings from animal and human studies. Berberine administration was associated with shifts in microbial composition — including changes in relative abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Akkermansia — and gut microbiota was noted to in turn influence berberine’s own biotransformation and bioavailability, indicating a bidirectional relationship studied in published preclinical and early clinical research.[4]
Antioxidant Activity
Berberine has demonstrated free-radical-scavenging capacity and modulation of endogenous antioxidant enzyme systems across multiple in vitro assay models, as documented in the comprehensive review by Neag et al. (2018).[1]
Formulation Applications
- Capsule and tablet supplement manufacturing: Fine powder form suitable for direct encapsulation or as a component in tablet compression blends
- Metabolic and antioxidant supplement blends: Berberine HCl at 300–500 mg per serving in single-ingredient or combination formulas, based on the published AMPK-pathway and antioxidant research background
- TCM and traditional herbal formulations: Phellodendron amurense bark (Huangbo) is a listed medicinal herb in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia; ChP documentation available for domestic China market and TCM-positioned export products
- Powder-blend and functional food applications: Water and ethanol solubility supports inclusion in functional beverage and powder-blend formats
Sourcing Criteria
| Criterion | What to Require |
|---|---|
| Species & Plant Part | Phellodendron amurense Rupr. bark confirmed on COA — distinguish from berberine sourced from Coptis, Berberis, or Hydrastis species, which carry different co-occurring alkaloid profiles |
| Purity Verification | ≥97% berberine HCl by HPLC per batch — confirm salt form (HCl) is specified, not free-base berberine content |
| Third-Party COA | Berberine HCl purity (HPLC), heavy metals (USP <232>), pesticide residues, microbial limits (USP <2021>), moisture — per production batch from accredited laboratory |
Regulatory Guidance
- US (DSHEA): Berberine has been present in the US dietary supplement market as a component of goldenseal and other traditional botanical preparations marketed prior to the DSHEA cutoff date (October 15, 1994). Antioxidant-category structure/function claims are generally the most straightforward to substantiate — each requires marketer self-substantiation and the required FDA disclaimer. Claims referencing specific disease conditions require drug-level approval and are not supported by the current evidence base
- China (ChP): Phellodendron amurense bark (黄柏) is a listed medicinal herb in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia; ChP compliance documentation available for domestic China market and export
- General: Given berberine’s documented CYP450 and P-glycoprotein interaction profile, Valeherb recommends that finished-product formulators include appropriate drug-interaction disclosure on consumer labelling and confirm current regulatory guidance for their specific target market before finalizing product positioning
