Worenine (Protoberberine Alkaloid · Antibacterial · Coptis Minor Alkaloid)
| Compound | Worenine |
| Chemical class | Alkaloid — Isoquinoline (Protoberberine; 8-Oxyberberine analogue) |
| CAS | 73802-06-9 |
| Primary source | Coptis chinensis (Huang Lian / Chinese goldthread) |
| Key applications | Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, Coptis alkaloid complex constituent |
| Claim strength | Emerging |
| Typical form | Coptis chinensis extract minor alkaloid co-constituent |
| Buy from Herbuno | Contact Herbuno for sourcing enquiries → |
Commercial source: Worenine is a minor co-constituent of Coptis chinensis rhizome extract, present at approximately 1–3% of total alkaloid content alongside berberine (dominant), coptisine, and palmatine. Isolated worenine is available from specialist chemical suppliers as a research-grade material. See sourcing options below. Traditional use: Shares Coptis chinensis (Huang Lian)’s traditional use in TCM for dysentery, gastroenteritis, fever, and anti-infective applications. Worenine is not individually differentiated in traditional practice. Research trajectory: Worenine is the least studied of the principal Coptis alkaloids. Research is limited to antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory screening studies establishing it as a pharmacologically active protoberberine, with potency generally lower than berberine and coptisine for most documented mechanisms. It is primarily of scientific interest for structure-activity relationship studies within the protoberberine class. See sourcing options below.
Evidence for Worenine Applications
Antibacterial activity: Worenine demonstrates antibacterial activity against common pathogens in MIC assays, consistent with its protoberberine structural class. Activity is generally lower than berberine for equivalent concentrations, but contributes additively to the overall antimicrobial profile of Coptis chinensis alkaloid complex. Claim strength: Emerging.
Anti-inflammatory: Limited cell model data show NF-κB inhibitory activity for worenine, consistent with the protoberberine pharmacological class. Anti-inflammatory potency is not well-characterised relative to berberine. Claim strength: Emerging.
Structure-activity context: Worenine’s structural relationship to berberine (an oxyberberine analogue with oxidation at C-8) has been useful for understanding how specific structural features affect protoberberine bioactivity. This academic utility exceeds its current direct pharmacological evidence base. Claim strength: Emerging.
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Dosage & Formulator Specification
Worenine is not formulated as a standalone supplement. In Coptis chinensis extract standardised to berberine, worenine constitutes approximately 1–3% of total alkaloids. For a 500 mg/day berberine-equivalent dose from Coptis extract, worenine co-delivery is approximately 5–15 mg — pharmacologically minor relative to the dominant berberine fraction.
Worenine is of primary relevance as a complete alkaloid characterisation marker in premium Coptis chinensis extract CoAs. Specifying individual protoberberine content (berberine, coptisine, palmatine, worenine) on the CoA provides the most comprehensive quality characterisation of the Huang Lian alkaloid complex for formulators requiring full botanical transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions — Worenine
Why does worenine receive less research attention than other Coptis alkaloids?
Worenine is present at the lowest concentration of the four principal Coptis alkaloids (berberine ~35–50%, coptisine ~5–10%, palmatine ~3–8%, worenine ~1–3%). Lower natural abundance limits access for dedicated pharmacological studies. Research resources in the protoberberine field have concentrated on berberine as the dominant and most clinically significant alkaloid.
Is the worenine content in Coptis extract useful as an authenticity marker?
Yes — the characteristic protoberberine alkaloid profile of Coptis chinensis including worenine alongside berberine, coptisine, and palmatine at defined ratios is a botanical identity fingerprint. Presence of worenine at appropriate proportion in an HPLC alkaloid profile is supportive evidence of authentic C. chinensis botanical identity versus adulterated or substituted materials.
Could worenine have unique activities not shared by berberine?
The C-8 oxygenation structural feature (the primary difference between worenine and other protoberberines) theoretically alters metabolic handling and receptor binding geometry. Whether this translates to unique bioactivities not shared by berberine is unresolved in the current literature. Worenine remains a candidate for more targeted pharmacological investigation as phytochemical research tools improve.
Is there practical benefit to using Coptis extract over isolated berberine HCl?
For berberine-specific effects, isolated berberine HCl provides more precise dose control. For the full Coptis alkaloid complex including coptisine’s neuroprotective, palmatine’s serotonergic, and worenine’s minor antimicrobial contributions, Coptis chinensis standardised extract better preserves the botanical phytochemical complexity. The practical choice depends on whether the formulation intent is berberine-specific or full-spectrum Huang Lian botanical activity.
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
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