Anti-platelet Effect of Berberine in Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (APLABE-PCI)

November 16, 2025 updated by: LiuZhenyu, Peking Union Medical College Hospital

A Single-center, Randomized, Open-label, Controlled, Dose-escalating, Parallel-group Study to Assess the Anti-platelet Effect of Berberine in Patients Receiving Aspirin and Clopidogrel After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The APLABE-PCI is a single-center, randomized, open-label, controlled, dose-escalating, parallel-group study, which is designed to assess the anti-platelet effect of berberine in approximately 64 patients receiving aspirin and clopidogrel who are at > 8 but ≤ 40 weeks after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Background

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a platelet P2Y12 inhibitor is mandatory in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Clopidogrel is the most widely used P2Y12 inhibitor with class I recommendation. However, clopidogrel is a pro-drug which has highly variable antiplatelet effect. Hypo-responsiveness to clopidogrel was associated with increased risk of thrombotic events after PCI.

Increasing the dose of aspirin could not reduce thrombotic risk but resulted in elevated bleeding risk. Although new P2Y12 inhibitors have more potent antiplatelet effect and did reduce thrombotic risk compared with clopidogrel, the benefit was only demonstrated in patients undergoing PCI for moderate to high risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and was also associated with increased bleeding risk. Therefore, how to improve the antiplatelet therapy in patients taking aspirin and clopidogrel after PCI remains unclear.

Berberine is an isoquinoline plant alkaloid which has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-tumoral and immunomodulatory properties, as well as anti-hypertensive, hypo-glycemic and cholesterol-lowering effects. In small studies conducted in patients with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes, berberine with a daily dose of 600-1000 mg for 12 weeks had good safety profile and was well tolerated.

In addition, berberine demonstrated antiplatelet effect. After in vivo administration in animals, berberine inhibited ex vivo platelet activation mediated by P2Y12 receptor and ex vivo platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), arachidonic acid (AA), collagen, and thrombin, et al. After ex vivo administration, berberine inhibited ex vivo thromboxane B2 (TXB2) synthesis induced by ADP, AA, and collagen in animal platelets, as well as ex vivo platelet aggregation induced by collagen in a dose-dependent manner in platelets from healthy human volunteers. However, the antiplatelet effect of berberine has never been investigated in patients receiving DAPT after PCI.

Design

The APLABE-PCI is a single-center, randomized, open-label, controlled, dose-escalating, parallel-group study, which is designed to assess the anti-platelet effect of berberine in approximately 64 patients receiving aspirin and clopidogrel who are at > 8 but ≤ 40 weeks after PCI.

The total study duration is expected to be approximately 19 weeks per patient, including a screening period, a 12±1 week treatment period, and a 4±1 week follow-up period.

The visit schedule will be as follows:

  • Visit 0 (V0): Day -21 to Day -1, Screening/Enrolment;
  • Visit 1 (V1): Day 1, Randomization/First dose;
  • Visit 2 (V2): Week 4±1, Dose adjustment 1;
  • Visit 3 (V3): Week 8±1, Dose adjustment 2;
  • Visit 4 (V4): Week 12±1, End of Treatment (EOT) /Last dose; •Visit 5 (V5): Week 16±1, Safety visit.

The screening period will be up to 21 days. Once each patient has signed the informed consent, the eligibility of the patient will be evaluated and related laboratory assessments will be taken (Visit 0). All patients will continue taking aspirin and clopidogrel in the morning during the screening period.

On the first day of the treatment period (Visit 1), eligible patients will return to the study center and be randomized into the Berberine Arm and the Control Arm. In the Berberine Arm, patients will receive berberine 200 mg twice daily for 4±1 weeks (Stage 1); then, 300 mg twice daily for 4±1 weeks (Stage 2); then, 400 mg twice daily for 4±1 weeks (Stage 3) in addition to standard treatment, including aspirin and clopidogrel. In the Control Arm, patients will receive standard treatment, including aspirin and clopidogrel, for 12±1 weeks. During the treatment period, patients in both arms will also take aspirin 100 mg once daily and clopidogrel 75 mg once daily for 12±1 weeks.

The total daily dose of berberine will be taken separately in the morning and in the evening in approximately a 12-hour interval. On the first day of the treatment period (Visit 1), the morning dose (first dose) of berberine will be given 2-4 hour after aspirin and clopidogrel are taken together in the morning and immediately after the blood and urine samples for baseline platelet function tests are collected. Since the second day of the treatment period, the morning dose of berberine will be taken simultaneously with aspirin and clopidogrel in the morning.

At the ends of Stage 1 (Visit 2), Stage 2 (Visit 3), and Stage 3 (Visit 4) (end of treatment, EOT), patients will return to the study center. During each stage, the last morning doses of all antiplatelet agents, including berberine, aspirin, and clopidogrel in the Berberine Arm, as well as aspirin and clopidogrel in the Control Arm, will be administered simultaneously at the study center in the morning on Visit 2, Visit 3, and Visit 4, respectively.

A follow-up period will begin on the next day after Visit 4 and will continue for 4±1 weeks. During the follow-up period, patients in both arms will continue taking aspirin and clopidogrel. At the end of the follow-up period, patients will return to the study center for a safety visit (Visit 5).

In the Berberine Arm, the blood and urine samples for platelet function tests will be obtained 2-4 hour after aspirin and clopidogrel are taken in the morning and before the first morning dose of berberine is taken on Visit 1, and 2-4 hours after the morning doses of berberine, aspirin and clopidogrel are taken on Visit 2, Visit 3, and Visit 4, respectively. In the Control Arm, the blood and urine samples for platelet function tests will be collected 2-4 hours after the morning doses of aspirin and clopidogrel are given on Visit 1, Visit 2, Visit 3, and Visit 4, respectively.

In the Berberine Arm, the blood and urine samples for safety assessment will be collected on Visit 0, and 2-4 hours after the morning doses of berberine, aspirin and clopidogrel are taken on Visit 2, Visit 3, and Visit 4, as well as on Visit 5, respectively. In the Control Arm, the blood and urine samples for safety assessment will be collected on Visit 0, and 2-4 hours after the morning doses of aspirin and clopidogrel are taken on Visit 2, Visit 3, and Visit 4, as well as on Visit 5, respectively.

Adverse events will be collected on Visit 1, Visit 2, Visit 3, Visit 4, and Visit 5, respectively. Cardiac ischemic events and bleeding events will be collected on Visit 2, Visit 3, and Visit 4, respectively.

The primary endpoint of the study is P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) assessed by VerifyNow assay 2-4 h after all the antiplatelet agents are taken simultaneously in the morning at the end of the treatment period (Visit 4, EOT), i.e., on the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment.

Conclusions

The APLABE-PCI study will assess the anti-platelet effect of berberine in patients receiving aspirin and clopidogrel after PCI. The result of the present study would provide pharmacodynamical data for the design of future outcome studies.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

64

Phase

  • Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

    • Beijing Municipality
      • Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China, 100730
        • Recruiting
        • Peking Union Medical College Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion criteria

  1. Provision of written informed consent.
  2. Aged 18-70 years, male or female.
  3. Currently, > 8 but ≤ 40 weeks after index percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) .
  4. Receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin (Bayaspirin TM) 100 mg once daily and clopidogrel (Plavix TM) 75 mg once daily for ≥ 7 days.
  5. No cardiac ischemic events or bleeding events occurred after the index PCI.

    • Cardiac ischemic events include myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, and definite or probable stent thrombosis;
    • Bleeding events include major or minor bleeding according to the Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes (PLATO) definition.
  6. PRECISE-DAPT score < 25 evaluated after the index PCI and before the index hospital discharge.
  7. Females who are either post-menopausal > 1 year or surgically sterile.

Exclusion criteria

  1. Use of berberine within 30 days of screening.
  2. Use of any fibrinolytic or antithrombotic agents, with the exception of aspirin and clopidogrel, within 30 days of screening.
  3. Any indications other than coronary artery disease (e.g., atrial fibrillation, prosthetic heart valve, venous thromboembolism, ventricular thrombosis, et al) for fibrinolytic or antithrombotic treatment during the study period.
  4. Planned use of berberine, as well as any fibrinolytic or antithrombotic agents, with the exception of aspirin (Bayaspirin TM) and clopidogrel (Plavix TM), during the study period.
  5. Planned use of moderate or strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 inhibitors, CYP2C19 substrates with narrow therapeutic index, or strong CYP2C19 inducers during the study period.
  6. Planned coronary revascularization, including PCI and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) during the study period.
  7. Increased bleeding risk, including

    • any history of intracranial, intraocular, retroperitoneal, or spinal bleeding;
    • recent (within 30 days of screening) gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding;
    • recent (within 30 days of screening) major trauma or major surgery;
    • planned surgery or other invasive procedure during the study period;
    • sustained uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] > 180 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure [DBP] > 100 mmHg);
    • history of hemorrhagic disorders, e.g., haemophilia, von Willebrand's disease;
    • inability to discontinue non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during the study period;
    • platelet count less than 100,000/mm3 or hemoglobin < 10 g/dL.
  8. Contraindications for aspirin, clopidogrel, and berberine, e.g., hypersensitivity, active bleeding, bleeding diathesis, coagulation disorders, severe liver or kidney diseases, hemolytic anemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, et al.
  9. History of intolerance to aspirin, clopidogrel, and berberine.
  10. Any condition, which in the opinion of the Investigator, would make it unsuitable for the patient to participate in this study. For example, conditions which may put the patient at risk, e.g., liver or kidney dysfunction, et al; or increase the risk of non-compliance to study protocol or follow-up, e.g., history of drug addiction or alcohol abuse, et al; or influence the result of the study, e.g., active cancer, et al.
  11. Patients who has previously been randomized in this study.
  12. Participation in another investigational drug or device study within 30 days of screening.
  13. Involvement in the planning and conduct of the study (applies to investigators, contract research organization staff, and study site staff, et al).

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Berberine Arm
In the Berberine Arm, patients will receive berberine 200 mg twice daily for 4±1 weeks (Stage 1); then, 300 mg twice daily for 4±1 weeks (Stage 2); then, 400 mg twice daily for 4±1 weeks (Stage 3) in addition to standard treatment, including aspirin 100 mg once daily and clopidogrel 75 mg once daily for 12±1 weeks.
Berberine 200 mg twice daily for 4±1 weeks (Stage 1); then, 300 mg twice daily for 4±1 weeks (Stage 2); then, 400 mg twice daily for 4 weeks (Stage 3).
Other Names:
  • Berberine Hydrochloride Tablets
Standard treatment for 12±1 weeks.
Aspirin 100 mg once daily for 12±1 weeks.
Other Names:
  • Aspirin Enteric-coated Tablets
  • Bayaspirin
Clopidogrel 75 mg once daily for 12±1 weeks.
Other Names:
  • Plavix
  • Clopidogrel Hydrogen Sulphate Tablets
Active Comparator: Control Arm
In the Control Arm, patients will receive standard treatment, including aspirin 100 mg once daily and clopidogrel 75 mg once daily for 12±1 weeks.
Standard treatment for 12±1 weeks.
Aspirin 100 mg once daily for 12±1 weeks.
Other Names:
  • Aspirin Enteric-coated Tablets
  • Bayaspirin
Clopidogrel 75 mg once daily for 12±1 weeks.
Other Names:
  • Plavix
  • Clopidogrel Hydrogen Sulphate Tablets

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU)
Time Frame: On the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
The P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) assessed by VerifyNow assay 2-4 h after all the antiplatelet agents are taken simultaneously in the morning at the end of the treatment period (Visit 4, EOT), i.e., on the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
On the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU)
Time Frame: On the 8th (7th-9th) week of treatment
The P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) assessed by VerifyNow assay 2-4 h after all the antiplatelet agents are taken simultaneously in the morning at the end of Stage 2 (Visit 3) [ i.e., on the 8th (7th-9th) week of treatment ]
On the 8th (7th-9th) week of treatment
P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU)
Time Frame: On the 4th (3rd-5th) week of treatment
The P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) assessed by VerifyNow assay 2-4 h after all the antiplatelet agents are taken simultaneously in the morning at the end of Stage 1 (Visit 2) [ i.e., on the 4th (3rd-5th) week of treatment ]
On the 4th (3rd-5th) week of treatment
Platelet reactivity index (PRI)
Time Frame: On the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
The platelet reactivity index (PRI) assessed by vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein-phosphorylation (VASP-P) assay 2-4 h after all the antiplatelet agents are taken simultaneously in the morning at the end of the treatment period (Visit 4, EOT) [ i.e., on the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment ]
On the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Platelet reactivity index (PRI)
Time Frame: On the 8th (7th-9th) week of treatment
The platelet reactivity index (PRI) assessed by vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein-phosphorylation (VASP-P) assay 2-4 h after all the antiplatelet agents are taken simultaneously in the morning at the end of Stage 2 (Visit 3) [ i.e., on the 8th (7th-9th) week of treatment ]
On the 8th (7th-9th) week of treatment
Platelet reactivity index (PRI)
Time Frame: On the 4th (3rd-5th) week of treatment
The platelet reactivity index (PRI) assessed by vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein-phosphorylation (VASP-P) assay 2-4 h after all the antiplatelet agents are taken simultaneously in the morning at the end of Stage 1 (Visit 2) [ i.e., on the 4th (3rd-5th) week of treatment ]
On the 4th (3rd-5th) week of treatment
Urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (11-dH-TXB2)
Time Frame: On the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
The urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (11-dH-TXB2) assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 2-4 h after all the antiplatelet agents are taken simultaneously in the morning at the end of the treatment period (Visit 4, EOT) [ i.e., on the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment ]
On the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (11-dH-TXB2)
Time Frame: On the 8th (7th-9th) week of treatment
The urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (11-dH-TXB2) assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 2-4 h after all the antiplatelet agents are taken simultaneously in the morning at the end of Stage 2 (Visit 3) [ i.e., on the 8th (7th-9th) week of treatment ]
On the 8th (7th-9th) week of treatment
Urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (11-dH-TXB2)
Time Frame: On the 4th (3rd-5th) week of treatment
The urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (11-dH-TXB2) assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 2-4 h after all the antiplatelet agents are taken simultaneously in the morning at the end of Stage 1 (Visit 2) [ i.e., on the 4th (3rd-5th) week of treatment ]
On the 4th (3rd-5th) week of treatment

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Major adverse cardiac events (MACE)
Time Frame: Up to the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
The composite of death, or myocardial infarction, or urgent coronary revascularization, or definite or possible stent thrombosis, up to the end of the treatment period (Visit 4, EOT), i.e., the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Up to the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Major bleeding
Time Frame: Up to the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
The major bleeding according to platelet inhibition and patient outcomes (PLATO) definition up to the end of the treatment period (Visit 4, EOT), i.e., the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Up to the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Minor bleeding
Time Frame: Up to the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
The minor bleeding according to platelet inhibition and patient outcomes (PLATO) definition up to the end of the treatment period (Visit 4, EOT), i.e., the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Up to the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Minimal bleeding
Time Frame: Up to the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
The minimal bleeding according to platelet inhibition and patient outcomes (PLATO) definition up to the end of the treatment period (Visit 4, EOT), i.e., the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Up to the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Major or minor bleeding
Time Frame: Up to the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
The major or minor bleeding according to platelet inhibition and patient outcomes (PLATO) definition up to the end of the treatment period (Visit 4, EOT), i.e., the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Up to the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Major or minor or minimal bleeding
Time Frame: Up to the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
The major or minor or minimal bleeding according to platelet inhibition and patient outcomes (PLATO) definition up to the end of the treatment period (Visit 4, EOT), i.e., the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Up to the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
P-selectin (CD62p) expression
Time Frame: On the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
The P-selectin (CD62p) expression assessed by flow cytometry 2-4 h after all the antiplatelet agents are taken simultaneously in the morning at the end of the treatment period (Visit 4, EOT) [ i.e., the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment ]
On the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Serum soluble P-selectin (sCD62p)
Time Frame: On the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Serum soluble P-selectin (sCD62p) assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 2-4 h after all the antiplatelet agents are taken simultaneously in the morning at the end of the treatment period (Visit 4, EOT) [ i.e., on the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment ]
On the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Serum soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L)
Time Frame: On the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment
Serum soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 2-4 h after all the antiplatelet agents are taken simultaneously in the morning at the end of the treatment period (Visit 4, EOT) [ i.e., on the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment ]
On the 12th (11th-13th) week of treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Zhenyu Liu, M.D., Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

September 26, 2018

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 14, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 14, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

December 20, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

November 19, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 16, 2025

Last Verified

November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

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