Atheroprotective Effects and Molecular Mechanism of Berberine

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Atherosclerosis is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases and it is closely associated with hyperlipidemia, endothelial injury, macrophage-derived foam cells formation, proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), platelet aggregation, and altered gut microbiota. Various symptomatic treatments, that are currently used to inhibit atherosclerosis, need to be administered in long term and their adverse effects cannot be ignored. Berberine (BBR) has beneficial effects on atherosclerosis through regulating multiple aspects of its progression. This review highlights the recent advances in understanding the anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of BBR. BBR alleviated atherosclerosis by attenuation of dyslipidemia, correction of endothelial dysfunction, inhibition of macrophage inflammation and foam cell formation, activation of macrophage autophagy, regulation of the proliferation and migration of VSMCs, attenuation of platelet aggregation, and modulation of gut microbiota. This review would provide a modern scientific perspective to further understanding the molecular mechanism of BBR attenuating atherosclerosis and supply new ideas for atherosclerosis management.

Berberine Depresses Inflammation and Adjusts Smooth Muscle to Ameliorate Ulcerative Colitis of Cats by Regulating Gut Microbiota

“…Consistent with previous investigations, our results showed that BBR can inhibit inflammatory-associated mediators’ expression by dampening the JAK2/STAT3 signaling activation in cats with DSS-induced colitis. The present study results demonstrate that BBR improves the symptoms and inflammation in DSS-induced cats, which lays the foundation for further investigation of the effects of BBR on smooth muscle motility-related phosphorylation ( 50 ). The phosphorylation of MLC regulates smooth muscle contractility.…”

The pharmacological effects of Berberine and its therapeutic potential in different diseases: Role of the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/AKT signaling pathway

“…Several risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, asthma, age, genetic history, and metabolic syndrome have been considered for CVDs. In 2016, the mortality rate associated with CVDs was nearly 17.6 million worldwide, which increased to 17.9 million in 2020 (Pourbagher‐Shahri et al, 2021; Xing et al, 2021). Therefore, many efforts have been made to identify the pathophysiology of these diseases and to inhibit their progression and death.…”

Effects and Potential Mechanism of Zhuyu Pill Against Atherosclerosis: Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

“… 9 Some studies have shown a beneficial effect of berberine for AS by lowering serum lipid levels, improving endothelial dysfunction, inhibiting macrophage inflammation and foam cell formation, activating macrophage autophagy, and regulating the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). 10 Wu et al found that berberine improved serum lipids and systemic inflammation in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) -/- mice with AS induced by high-fat diet. 11 Oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) within plaques is regarded as playing a key role in AS pathogenesis.…”