Berberine: Pharmacological Features in Health, Disease and Aging

Abstract

Background: Berberine is the main active compound of different herbs and is defined as an isoquinoline quaternary botanical alkaloid found in barks and roots of numerous plants. It exhibits a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as anti-obesity and antidiabetic effects. Berberine has antibacterial activity against a variety of microbiota, including many bacterial species, protozoa, plasmodia, fungi, and trypanosomes. Objective: This review describes the role of berberine and its metabolic effects. It also discussed how it plays a role in glucose metabolism, fat metabolism, weight loss, how it modulates the gut microbiota, and what are its antimicrobial properties along with its potential side effects with maximal tolerable dosage. Methods: Representative studies were considered and analyzed from different scientific databases, including PubMed and Web of Science, for the years 1982-2022. Results: Literature analysis shows that berberine affects many biochemical and pharmacological pathways that theoretically yield a positive effect on health and disease. Berberine exhibits neuroprotective properties in various neurodegenerative and neuropsychological ailments. Despite its low bioavailability after oral administration, a plant alkaloid is a promising tool for several disorders. A possible hypothesis would be the modulation of the gut microbiome. While the evidence concerning the aging process in humans is more limited, preliminary studies have shown positive effects in several models. Conclusion: Berberine could serve as a potential candidate for the treatment of several diseases. Previous literature has provided a basis for scientists to establish clinical trials in humans. However, for obesity, the evidence appears to be sufficient for hands-on use.

Inhibition of Macrophage Pyroptosis─A New Therapeutic Strategy to Alleviate T-2 Toxin-Induced Subacute Liver Injury by Directly Competing with the Key Target

“…Furthermore, tp53inp1 (human) and trp53inp1 (mouse) were 88% conserved and His224 was located in their conserved sequences. Importantly, BER is a potential candidate for the treatment of a variety of diseases, 49 such as neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes; 50 in addition, BER has been shown to have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis, 51 cancer, 52 and rheumatoid arthritis 53 and has a good application prospect.…”

Neuroprotective Potentials of Berberine in Rotenone-induced Parkinson's Disease-like Motor Symptoms in Rats

“…These symptoms include striatal nitrosative and oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroin ammation, neurotransmitter de ciencies, signi cant neurodegeneration, and the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway (Chen et al 2022a; Garabadu and Agrawal 2020; Lama et al 2021;Tseng et al 2020). Based on these ndings, treatments using antioxidants or anti-in ammatory agents have been suggested to potentially alleviate PD-like symptoms in animal models (Chen et Berberine (BBR), a key component in Chinese herbal medicines such as Rhizoma Coptidis, Rhizoma Cyperus, and Rhizoma Rhei, is traditionally used as an antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, and anti-infective agent against a variety of fungal, yeast, parasite, and viral infections (Gasmi et al 2024;Imenshahidi and Hosseinzadeh 2019). Over recent years, evidence has mounted showcasing BBR's diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-in ammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-tumor, antidiabetic, anti-diarrhoeal, and anti-dyslipidemic effects (Gasmi et al 2024; Imenshahidi and Hosseinzadeh 2019; Khoshandam et al 2022; Wang et al 2017).…”

“…Based on these ndings, treatments using antioxidants or anti-in ammatory agents have been suggested to potentially alleviate PD-like symptoms in animal models (Chen et Berberine (BBR), a key component in Chinese herbal medicines such as Rhizoma Coptidis, Rhizoma Cyperus, and Rhizoma Rhei, is traditionally used as an antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, and anti-infective agent against a variety of fungal, yeast, parasite, and viral infections (Gasmi et al 2024;Imenshahidi and Hosseinzadeh 2019). Over recent years, evidence has mounted showcasing BBR's diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-in ammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-tumor, antidiabetic, anti-diarrhoeal, and anti-dyslipidemic effects (Gasmi et al 2024; Imenshahidi and Hosseinzadeh 2019; Khoshandam et al 2022; Wang et al 2017). Notably, BBR is recognized as a potent antioxidant that can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB).…”

Neuroprotective Potentials of Berberine in Rotenone-Induced Parkinson’s Disease-like Motor Symptoms in Rats

“…Berberine (BBR), a principal component in Chinese herbal remedies such as Rhizoma Coptidis, Rhizoma Cyperus, and Rhizoma Rhei, has traditionally served as an antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, and anti-infective agent against various fungal, yeast, parasite, and viral infections [ 14 , 15 ]. Recent evidence has increasingly highlighted BBR’s diverse pharmacological actions, encompassing anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, anti-diarrheal, and anti-dyslipidemic effects [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Particularly, BBR is acknowledged as a potent antioxidant with the ability to traverse the BBB.…”