Synthesis and DNA-Binding Affinities of Protoberberine-Based Multivalent Agents

Effects of berberine on leukemia with a focus on its molecular targets

Leukemia is a common cancer among both women and men worldwide. Besides the fact that finding new treatment methods may enhance the life quality of patients, there are several problems that we face today in treating leukemia patients, such as drugs side effects and acquired resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Berberine is a bioactive alkaloid found in herbal plants (e.g. Rhizoma coptidis and Cortex phellodendri) and exerts several beneficial functions, including anti-tumor activities. Furthermore, berberine exerts antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects. Up to now, some studies have investigated the roles of berberine in different types of leukemia, including acute myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In this review, a detailed description of berberine roles in leukemia is provided. We discuss how berberine involves different molecular targets (e.g. interleukins and cyclins) and signaling pathways (e.g. mTOR and PI3K) to exert its anti-tumor functions and how berberine is effective in leukemia treatment when combined with other therapeutic drugs.

Effects of Berberine and Its Derivatives on Cancer: A Systems Pharmacology Review

Numerous studies have shown that berberine and its derivatives demonstrate important anti-tumor effects. However, the specific underlying mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, based on systems pharmacology, this review summarizes the information available on the anti-tumor effects and mechanism of berberine and its derivatives. The action and potential mechanism of action of berberine and its derivatives when used in the treatment of complex cancers are systematically examined at the molecular, cellular, and organismic levels. It is concluded that, with further in-depth investigations on their toxicity and efficacy, berberine and its derivatives have the potential for use as drugs in cancer therapy, offering improved clinical efficacy and safety.

Berberine: new perspectives for old remedies

Chemical compounds derived from plants have been used since the origin of human beings to counteract a number of diseases. Among them, the natural isoquinoline alkaloid berberine has been employed in Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine for hundreds of years with a wide range of pharmacological and biochemical effects. More recently, a growing body of reports supports the evidence that berberine has anticancer effects, being able to block the proliferation of and to kill cancer cells. This review addresses the properties and therapeutic use of berberine and focuses on the recent advances as promising anticancer drug lead.