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To evaluate the effects of Barberry (Berberis integerrima) on clinical signs and inflammatory factors in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

A total of 70 patients with active RA in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (IRCT 201409249472N7) were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups. All the patients consumed 1500 mg of barberry extract and 1500 mg Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) each day respectively for three months. Clinical signs and serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured before and after the intervention.

The results showed that consumption of the extract of Berberis integerrima resulted in a significant decrease in Visual Analog Scale (VAS), morning stiffness, number of tender joints, Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), Global Physician …