【提要】 黄连素是从中药黄柏、黄连、三颗针等植物药材中提取出来的生物碱。近年来黄连素的药理作用得到了广泛深入的研究，如抗感染、抗心律失常、保护缺血心肌、降血压、抗肿瘤及抗获得性免疫缺陷综合征(HIV)等作用，尤其对其降血糖作用的报道日渐增多，但其降糖作用机制尚不明确。本文就目前黄连素可能的降糖作用机制及临床疗效观察进行综述。

 New progress in hypoglycemic mechanism and clinical application of berberine

      【Summary】  Berberine is akind of alkaloids extracted from Chinese herb medicine includingphellodendrong, coptis and radix berberidis．In recent years, the pharmacological effectsof berberinewas investigated extensively including anti-infection, anti-arrhythmia, protection of ischemic myocardium, anti－hypertension, anti-tumor, anti-HIV. And there are increasing reports about its hypoglycemic effect, but itsmechanismremains unclear．Here we summarize the possible mechanism of hypoglycemic effect and clinical efficacy of berberine．