Berberine reduces arterial plaque in humans by decreasing TMAO in the gut

It's not mentioned by name in TFA, but isn't this the active ingredient in the Goldenseal products you can easily buy OTC?

Coptis is in the family Ranunculaceae. Coptidis Rhizoma is the dried root, not the scientific name.

Ranunculaceae are really good in two fields: making beautiful flowers and developing strong toxics; so I would recommend to be extremely cautious with this. never underestimate this family. Undesirable collateral effects are totally expected.

According to Google you can buy just berberine as a supplement. Berberine can be found in several plants so it might be extracted from something that is not toxic?

If I'm not wrong Berberine was discovered in the Genus Berberis, a cosmopolite genus of thorn shrubs with small yellow flowers. They have blue or red tiny edible fruits and everything else is toxic. Can be found in each public park from temperate areas

Berberine can also be found in bayberries. Would be interesting to know if those had a similar effect.