Berberine: A potential adjunct for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers?

Cynanchum paniculatum (Bunge) Kitag. ex H.Hara inhibits pancreatic cancer progression by inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis and suppressing TGF-β-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Background: Cynanchum paniculatum (Bunge) Kitag. ex H.Hara, a member of the Asclepiadaceae family, has a rich history as a traditional Chinese medicinal plant used to treat digestive disorders. However, its potential anti-cancer effects in pancreatic cancer remain largely unexplored. Aim: This study delves into the intricate anti-pancreatic cancer mechanisms of C. paniculatum (Bunge) Kitag. ex H.Hara aqueous extract (CPAE) by elucidating its role in apoptosis induction and the inhibition of invasion and migration. Methods: A comprehensive set of methodologies was employed to assess CPAE's impact, including cell viability analyses using MTT and colony formation assays, flow cytometry for cell cycle distribution and apoptosis assessment, scratch-wound and Matrigel invasion assays for migration and invasion capabilities, and immunoblotting to measure the expression levels of key proteins involved in apoptosis and metastasis. Additionally, a murine xenograft model was established to investigate CPAE's in vivo anti-cancer potential. Results: CPAE exhibited time- and dose-dependent suppression of proliferation and colony formation in pancreatic cancer cells. Notably, CPAE induced apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest, effectively activating the caspase-dependent PARP pathway. At non-cytotoxic doses, CPAE significantly curtailed the metastatic abilities of pancreatic cells, effectively suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and downregulating the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway. In vivo experiments underscored CPAE's ability to inhibit tumor proliferation. Conclusion: This study illuminates the multifaceted anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-invasive, and anti-migratory effects of CPAE, both in vitro and in vivo. CPAE emerges as a promising herbal medicine for pancreatic cancer treatment, with its potential mediated through apoptosis induction via the caspase-dependent PARP pathway and MET suppression via the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway at non-cytotoxic doses. These findings advocate for further exploration of CPAE's therapeutic potential in pancreatic cancer.

Berberine prevents NAFLD and HCC by modulating metabolic disorders

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global metabolic disease with high prevalence in both adults and children. Importantly, NAFLD is becoming the main cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Berberine (BBR), a naturally occurring plant component, has been demonstrated to have advantageous effects on a number of metabolic pathways as well as the ability to kill liver tumor cells by causing cell death and other routes. This permits us to speculate and make assumptions about the value of BBR in the prevention and defense against NAFLD and HCC by a global modulation of metabolic disorders. Herein, we briefly describe the etiology of NAFLD and NAFLD-related HCC, with a particular emphasis on analyzing the potential mechanisms of BBR in the treatment of NAFLD from aspects including increasing insulin sensitivity, controlling the intestinal milieu, and controlling lipid metabolism. We also elucidate the mechanism of BBR in the treatment of HCC. More significantly, we provided a list of clinical studies for BBR in NAFLD. Taking into account our conclusions and perspectives, we can make further progress in the treatment of BBR in NAFLD and NAFLD-related HCC.

Neuroprotective Properties of Berberine: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

Berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid natural product, is isolated primarily from Coptis chinensis and other Berberis plants. BBR possesses various bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anticancer, immune-regulation, and antimicrobial activities. Growing scientific evidence underscores BBR's substantial neuroprotective potential, prompting increased interest and scrutiny. In this comprehensive review, we elucidate the neuroprotective attributes of BBR, delineate the underlying molecular mechanisms, and assess its clinical safety and efficacy. The multifaceted molecular mechanisms responsible for BBR's neuroprotection encompass the attenuation of oxidative stress, mitigation of inflammatory responses, inhibition of apoptotic pathways, facilitation of autophagic processes, and modulation of CYP450 enzyme activities, neurotransmitter levels, and gut microbiota composition. Furthermore, BBR engages numerous signaling pathways, including the PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, AMPK, CREB, Nrf2, and MAPK pathways, to confer its neuroprotective effects. This comprehensive review aims to provide a substantial knowledge base, stimulate broader scientific discourse, and facilitate advancements in the application of BBR for neuroprotection.

Efficacy and safety of triple therapy containing berberine, amoxicillin, and vonoprazan for Helicobacter pylori initial treatment: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

With the development of traditional Chinese medicine research, berberine has shown good efficacy and safety in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of triple therapy containing berberine, amoxicillin, and vonoprazan for the initial treatment of H. pylori.

METHODS

This study was a single-center, open-label, parallel, randomized controlled clinical trial. Patients with H. pylori infection were randomly (1:1:1) assigned to receive berberine triple therapy (berberine 500 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, vonoprazan 20 mg, A group), vonoprazan quadruple therapy (vonoprazan 20 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, colloidal bismuth tartrate 220 mg, B group), or rabeprazole quadruple therapy (rabeprazole 10 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, colloidal bismuth tartrate 220 mg, C group). The drugs were taken twice daily for 14 days. The main outcome was the H. pylori eradication rate. The secondary outcomes were symptom improvement rate, patient compliance, and incidence of adverse events. Furthermore, factors affecting the eradication rate of H. pylori were further analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 300 H. pylori-infected patients were included in this study, and 263 patients completed the study. An intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed that the eradication rates of H. pylori in berberine triple therapy, vonoprazan quadruple therapy, and rabeprazole quadruple therapy were 70.0% (70/100), 77.0% (77/100), and 69.0% (69/100), respectively. The per-protocol (PP) analysis showed that the eradication rates of H. pylori in these three groups were 81.4% (70/86), 86.5% (77/89), and 78.4% (69/88), respectively. Both ITT analysis and PP analysis showed that the H. pylori eradication rate did not significantly differ among the three groups (P >0.05). In addition, the symptom improvement rate, overall adverse reaction rate, and patient compliance were similar among the three groups (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of berberine triple therapy for H. pylori initial treatment was comparable to that of vonoprazan quadruple therapy and rabeprazole quadruple therapy, and it was well tolerated. It could be used as one choice of H. pylori initial treatment.

Metabolomics Study of Shaoyao Plants Decoction on the Proximal and Distal Colon in Mice with Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS

Purpose

Shaoyao decoction (SYD) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). The exact mechanism of action of SYD in UC treatment is still unclear. Here, we examined the therapeutic effects of SYD in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and explored the underlying mechanism.

Methods

The experimental group was divided into normal control, UC, and SYD treatment groups. The UC model of C57BL/6 mice was induced using 3% (w/v) DSS for 7 days. SYD was orally administered for 7 days. The proximal and distal colonic metabolic profiles were detected using quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics.

Results

SYD significantly increased weight, reduced disease activity index scores, and ameliorated colon length shortening and pathological damage in mice. In the distal colon, SYD increased the abundance of phosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidylethanolamine and decreased the abundance of lactosylceramide, erythrodiol 3-palmitate, and lysophosphatidylcholine. In the proximal colon, SYD increased the abundance of palmitic acid, cyclonormammein, monoacylglyceride, 13S-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, and ceanothine C and decreased the abundance of tetracosahexaenoic acid, phosphatidylserine, and diglyceride.

Conclusion

Our findings revealed that SYD could alleviate UC by regulating metabolic dysfunction, which provides a reference for further studies on SYD.

Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Astaxanthin on Gastrointestinal Diseases

A moderate amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is produced under normal conditions, where they play an important role in cell signaling and are involved in many aspects of the immune response to pathogens. On the other hand, the excessive production of ROS destructs macromolecules, cell membranes, and DNA, and activates pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, which may lead to various pathologic conditions. Gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa is constantly exposed to ROS due to the presence of bacteria and other infectious pathogens in food, as well as alcohol consumption, smoking, and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Prolonged excessive oxidative stress and inflammation are two major risk factors for GI disorders such as ulcers and cancers. Bioactive food compounds with potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity have been tested in experimental GI disease models to evaluate their therapeutic potential. Astaxanthin (AST) is a fat-soluble xanthophyll carotenoid that is naturally present in algae, yeast, salmon, shrimp, and krill. It has been shown that AST exhibits protective effects against GI diseases via multiple mechanisms. Residing at the surface and inside of cell membranes, AST directly neutralizes ROS and lipid peroxyl radicals, enhances the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes, and suppresses pro-inflammatory transcription factors and cytokines. In addition, AST has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth and metastasis via modulating cell proliferation-related pathways, apoptosis, and autophagy. Considering the potential benefits of AST in GI diseases, this review paper aims to summarize recent advances in AST research, focusing on its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against gastric and intestinal ulcers and cancers.

Berberine a traditional Chinese drug repurposing: Its actions in inflammation-associated ulcerative colitis and cancer therapy

Berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Coptidis Rhizoma, has a long history of treating dysentery in the clinic. Over the past two decades, the polytrophic, pharmacological, and biochemical properties of BBR have been intensively studied. The key functions of BBR, including anti-inflammation, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-obesity, and even antitumor, have been discovered. However, the underlying mechanisms of BBR-mediated regulation still need to be explored. Given that BBR is also a natural nutrition supplement, the modulatory effects of BBR on nutritional immune responses have attracted more attention from investigators. In this mini-review, we summarized the latest achievements of BBR on inflammation, gut microbes, macrophage polarization, and immune responses associated with their possible tools in the pathogenesis and therapy of ulcerative colitis and cancer in recent 5 years. We also discuss the therapeutic efficacy and anti-inflammatory actions of BBR to benefit future clinical applications.

The interaction of alkaloids in Coptis chinensis Franch -Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Juss.) T.G. Hartley with hOCT1 and hOCT2

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Zuojin Pill, a traditional poly-herbal drug, comprises Coptis chinensis Franch - Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Juss.) T.G. Hartley (6:1). The significant quantity of alkaloids found in the participating herbs is a key aspect of the Zuojin Pill. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), these numerous alkaloidal compounds within Zuojin Pill have various essential therapeutic effects.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The alkaloids in Tetradium are mainly indole alkaloids, while the alkaloids in Coptis are mostly isoquinoline alkaloids with low bioavailability. Alkaloids and their metabolites are nitrogen-containing compounds or weakly alkaline substances that can be partially ionized under physiological pH conditions. Fortunately, organic cation transporters (OCTs) play a crucial role in the cellular uptake of weakly alkaline compounds. Therefore, we speculated that the alkaloidal compounds might interact with liver cation transporters hOCT1 and kidney cation transporters hOCT2 to alter cell drug disposal. In order to clarify our hypothesis, a series of alkaloids-OCTs interaction experiments were conducted.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HEK293 cells stably expressing hOCT1 and hOCT2 were modeled and evaluated. Afterward, high-content screening (HCS) was conducted to analyze whether the main alkaloids and their metabolites of Coptis - Tetradium were inhibitors of hOCT1 and hOCT2 transporters. Meanwhile, LC-MS/MS was used to investigate whether the alkaloidal compounds were substrates of hOCT1 and hOCT2 transporters. Finally, drug interactions at the cellular level were assessed by LC-MS/MS after co-administration of berberine and rutacorine.

RESULTS

Berberine, jateorhizine, coptisine, epiberberine, columbamine, demethyleneberberine, and berberrubine could significantly inhibit hOCT1 and hOCT2 activity. Isoquinoline alkaloids, including berberine, jateorhizine, coptisine, epiberberine, columbamine, and palmatine, were substrates of hOCT1 and hOCT2, but not the indole alkaloids evodiamine and rutaecarpine. Furthermore, evodiamine at a concentration of 20 μmol/L had a trivial effect on berberine accumulation in HEK293-hOCT2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the idea that alkaloidal compounds within Coptis and Tetradium have hOCT1 and hOCT2 inhibitory activity or be their substrates, and the increased oral bioavailability of berberine in vivo was closely related to the potential interactions of small molecules in Coptis- Tetradium. Overall, our study provides a framework for investigating the potential interactions of small molecules in Coptis- Tetradium.

Berberine as a potential agent for breast cancer therapy

Breast cancer (BC) is a common malignancy that mainly occurred in women and it has become the most diagnosed cancer annually since 2020. Berberine (BBR), an alkaloid extracted from the Berberidacea family, has been found with broad pharmacological bioactivities including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, anti-obesity, antidepressant, and anticancer effects. Mounting evidence shows that BBR is a safe and effective agent with good anticancer activity against BC. However, its detailed underlying mechanism in BC treatment remains unclear. Here, we will provide the evidence for BBR in BC therapy and summarize its potential mechanisms. This review briefly introduces the source, metabolism, and biological function of BBR and emphasizes the therapeutic effects of BBR against BC via directly interacting with effector proteins, transcriptional regulatory elements, miRNA, and several BBR-mediated signaling pathways. Moreover, the novel BBR-based therapeutic strategies against BC improve biocompatibility and water solubility, and the efficacies of BBR are also briefly discussed. Finally, the status of BBR in BC treatment and future research directions is also prospected.

Responses of human gut microbiota abundance and amino acid metabolism in vitro to berberine

The intestine is a potential location for berberine (BBR) to exert its therapeutic effects, but the understanding of the influences of BBR on the gut microbiota is limited. Through in vitro fermentation of human intestinal microbiota, we investigated the effects of BBR on microbiota composition and metabolism. The result indicated that BBR reduced the production of acetic acid and propionic acid and had no effect on the content of butyric acid. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene-based community revealed that BBR increased the abundance of Faecalibacterium and decreased the abundance of Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus and Enterococcus. Through metabolomics analysis, BBR treatment regulated various amino acid metabolism pathways of intestinal microbiota, especially tyrosine, serine and L-glutamate. Our study presented direct impacts of BBR on the intestinal microbiota, which provided the probable targets of the therapies by BBR and supported further exploration of the underlying mechanisms.

Traditional Chinese Medicines as Effective Reversals of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Induced-Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer: Molecular Targets and Mechanisms

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer worldwide. Distant metastasis is the major cause of cancer-related mortality in patients with CRC. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical process triggered during tumor metastasis, which is also the main impetus and the essential access within this duration. Therefore, targeting EMT-related molecular pathways has been considered a novel strategy to explore effective therapeutic agents against metastatic CRC. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) with unique properties multi-target and multi-link that exert their therapeutic efficacies holistically, which could inhibit the invasion and metastasis ability of CRC cells via inhibiting the EMT process by down-regulating transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smads, PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch signaling pathways. The objective of this review is to summarize and assess the anti-metastatic effect of TCM-originated bioactive compounds and Chinese medicine formulas by mediating EMT-associated signaling pathways in CRC therapy, providing a foundation for further research on the exact mechanisms of action through which TCMs affect EMT transform in CRC.

Coptis chinensis and dried ginger herb combination inhibits gastric tumor growth by interfering with glucose metabolism via LDHA and SLC2A1

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Coptis chinensis Franch (CC) and Zingiber officinale Roscoe (dried ginger; DG) are traditional Chinese medicines. CC can dry dampness, relieve fire and detoxify, and is used to treat gastritis, gastric ulcer, colitis. DG can warm spleen and stomach for dispelling cold, used for the treatment of spleen and stomach deficiency. Both CC and DG are widely used to treat gastrointestinal diseases. CC-DG herb medicine combination originates from Huanglian decoction and Pinellia xiexin decoction in "Shanghan Lun" to comfort the stomach and intestines. CC and DG are used for the treatment of nausea and choking diaphragm which highly associated with gastric cancer clinically in ancient time.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of CC-DG combination on gastric cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The CC-DG extract was subjected to HPLC analysis. Viability (MTT) and cytotoxicity (CCK8) assays were performed using the SGC7901 and MFC cells. Cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression levels were measured by RT-PCR. In vivo anti-tumor activity of CC-DG was assessed in a tumor xenograft model.

RESULTS

Twelve different proportions of CC-DG were tested for inhibitory effects on gastric cancer cells; CC-DG ratio 1:1 was found most effective. CC-DG administration significantly reduced the cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation, while increased cell apoptosis compared with the control group. CC-DG regulated differentially expressed genes in SGC7901 cells were subjected to pathway enrichment analysis. CC-DG significantly inhibited the cell glucose metabolism, downregulated the expression of LDHA and SLC2A1 genes, and changed the expression of other related genes including ME2, LDHD, LDHB, HIF1A, PKM, Pcx, and Got1. In addition, CC-DG suppressed tumorigenesis and inhibited MKI67 expression in the tumor xenograft model.

CONCLUSIONS

CC-DG inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion of SGC7901/MFC gastric cells, and in turn, suppressed tumorigenesis by regulating glucose metabolism through regulation of LDHA and SLC2A1 genes.

Efficacy and safety of berberine in preventing recurrence of colorectal adenomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Berberine(BBR) is a kind of isoquinoline alkaloids extracted from the rhizomes of Coptis chinensis Franch., which was the main active ingredient. Accumulating evidence has shown that it has potential pharmacological effects in preventing the recurrence of colorectal adenomas.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The roles of BBR in the overall recurrence of colorectal adenoma have still not been assessed because of the limitations of the available data and the restriction of a single study. Therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness and safety of BBR in preventing the recurrence of colorectal adenomas through a systematic review and meta-analysis of available data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched four English databases (PubMed (MEDLINE), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Embase and Web of Science) and four Chinese language databases (Chinese Biomedicine (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP) and the WanFang Database) from their inception through October 2020. Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan5.3 software after data extraction and the quality of studies assessment.

RESULTS

Three randomized controlled clinical trials were included with 1076 patients. Our results illustrated that 1-year and 2-year supplementation with BBR was associated with lower recurrence rate of colorectal adenoma (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.84, p=0.0001; RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.88, p=0.0004). The relative risk of oral BBR for 1 year and 2 years is not comparable, for 2-year efficacy outcomes were assessed in all participants who had at least one colonoscopy with pathological evaluation after baseline (lots of participants completed the first colonoscopy but discontinued during the second follow-up interval.). Moreover, the results also suggest that BBR had more adverse events than placebo (RR 2.91, 95% CI 1.24 to 6.85, p=0.01). Through the full-text reading, no serious adverse events were observed, and constipation was the most common event which disappears once the drug is discontinued.

CONCLUSION

Generally, the present study indicated that BBR has a comparable therapeutic effect on the prevention of colorectal adenomas recurrence. Adverse reactions are worthy of attention which requires additional studies to obtain a precise conclusion.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NO

CRD42020209135.

Berberine and lycopene as alternative or add-on therapy to metformin and statins, a review

Nutraceuticals are principally extracted from natural products that are frequently safe and well-tolerated. Lycopene and berberine are natural plants with a wide range of beneficial effects including protective activities against metabolic disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. These compounds might be considered technically more as a drug than a nutraceutical and could be prescribed as a product. However, further studies are needed to understand if these supplements could affect metabolic syndrome outcomes. Even if nutraceuticals exert a prophylactic activity within the body, their bioactivity and bioavailability have high interindividual variation, and precise assessment of biological function of these bioactive compounds in randomized clinical trials is critical. However, these reports must be interpreted with more considerations due to the low quality of the trials. The aim of this paper is to bring evidence about the management of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes through the use of nutraceuticals with particular attention to lycopene and berberine effectiveness.

Berberine improves intestinal barrier function and reduces inflammation, immunosuppression, and oxidative stress by regulating the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway in deoxynivalenol-challenged piglets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of berberine (BBR) on the intestinal health of piglets exposed to deoxynivalenol (DON). A total of 180 weaned piglets were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 treatment groups with 10 replication pens per treatment and 6 piglets per pen. The treatments were basal diet, basal diet +4 mg/kg DON, and basal diet +4 mg/kg DON +40 mg/kg BBR. The experiment lasted for 21 d. BBR improved the growth performance of DON-challenged piglets. BBR could inhibit DON-induced intestinal injury by increasing the expression of serum antioxidant enzymes and T cell surface antigens and reducing the release of proinflammatory cytokines in the small intestine. BBR significantly increased the protein expression levels of zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), Occludin and Claudin-1 in the ileal and jejunal mucosa and increased the morphological parameters of the jejunum. Moreover, we found that BBR significantly reduced the DON-induced gene and protein expression levels of ERK, JNK, and NF-κB in the jejunum and ileum. In conclusion, BBR can regulate DON-induced intestinal injury, immunosuppression and oxidative stress by regulating the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways and ultimately maintain the intestinal health of piglets.

Pre- and Post-partum Berberine Supplementation in Dairy Goats as a Novel Strategy to Mitigate Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

As in dairy cattle, goats during the transition period face risk factors, in particular negative energy balance (NEB), inflammation, and impairment of the antioxidant response. The current study determined the effects of pre- and post-partum berberine (BBR) supplementation on antioxidant status and inflammation response during the transition period in dairy goats. Twenty-four primiparous Saanen goats were randomly divided into four groups: control (CON, without BBR) and supplemented with 1 g/day BBR (BBR1), 2 g/day BBR (BBR2), or 4 g/day BBR (BBR4). The blood samples were collected weekly from 21 days pre-partum to 21 days post-partum. Compared with CON, supplementation with either BBR2 or BBR4 decreased (P ≤ 0.05) the levels of plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) at kidding and thereafter an increased (P ≤ 0.05) the plasma levels of glucose and insulin. Following BBR ingestion, blood antioxidant status elevated throughout the transition period, so that total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase activity were increased (P ≤ 0.05) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) was decreased (P ≤ 0.05). Likewise, paraoxonase (PON) was reduced (P ≤ 0.05) in goats fed BBR2 and BBR4. The levels of haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, and bilirubin were reduced (P ≤ 0.05) by BBR2 and BBR4 immediately before kidding and thereafter. The results demonstrated that supplementation of either 2 or 4 g/day BBR enhanced antioxidant capacity and immune function of transition goats and improved post-partum performance showing its beneficial effect to mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation during the transition period in dairy goats.

Therapeutic effect of berberine on chronic atrophic gastritis based on plasma and urine metabolisms

The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of berberine (BBR) on chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and its potential mechanism. The effects of BBR on gastric histopathology, serum biochemical indexes and inflammatory factors in CAG rats were assessed. Moreover, plasma and urine metabolomics based on ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) were used to identify potential metabolic markers and possible pathways of BBR in the treatment of CAG. The results showed that BBR could significantly improve the pathological characteristics of gastric tissue, alleviate the serum biochemical indexes and reduce the mRNA expression of nuclear factor-κB, tumor necrosis factor-α, Cyclooxygenase-2, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, Interleukin-17A and I interferon-γ. The results of metabolomic analysis show that the therapeutic effect of BBR on CAG may be related to the regulation of 15 metabolic markers and 12 metabolic pathways, which may be the potential mechanism for the treatment of CAG. This study provides new insights for elucidating the mechanism of BBR improving CAG.

Antiangiogenic Drugs in NASH: Evidence of a Possible New Therapeutic Approach

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common liver disorder worldwide, and its progressive form non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a growing cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Lifestyle changes, which are capable of improving the prognosis, are hard to achieve, whereas a pharmacologic therapy able to combine efficacy and safety is still lacking. Looking at the pathophysiology of various liver diseases, such as NASH, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC, the process of angiogenesis is a key mechanism influencing the disease progression. The relationship between the worsening of chronic liver disease and angiogenesis may suggest a possible use of drugs with antiangiogenic activity as a tool to stop or slow the progression of the disorder. In this review, we highlight the available preclinical data supporting a role of known antiangiogenic drugs (e.g., sorafenib), or phytotherapeutic compounds with multiple mechanism of actions, including also antiangiogenic activities (e.g., berberine), in the treatment of NASH.

Plant isoquinoline alkaloids: Advances in the chemistry and biology of berberine

Alkaloids are one of the most important classes of plant bioactives. Among these isoquinoline alkaloids possess varied structures and exhibit numerous biological activities. Basically these are biosynthetically produced via phenylpropanoid pathway. However, occasionally some mixed pathways may also occur to provide structural divergence. Among the various biological activities anticancer, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, and antimicrobial are important. A few notable bioactive isoquinoline alkaloids are antidiabetic berberine, anti-tussive codeine, analgesic morphine, and muscle relaxant papaverine etc. Berberine is one of the most discussed bioactives from this class possessing broad-spectrum pharmacological activities. Present review aims at recent updates of isoquinoline alkaloids with major emphasis on berberine, its detailed chemistry, important biological activities, structure activity relationship and implementation in future research.

A patent review of berberine and its derivatives with various pharmacological activities (2016-2020)

INTRODUCTION

Berberine (BBR), as one of the outstanding representatives of isoquinoline alkaloids, has been used as an antibacterial drug for a long time in China since ancient times. Currently, a large number of studies have been reported that berberine has a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-obesity, and the like.

AREAS COVERED

This review systematically discussed important patents on berberine and berberine derivatives in terms of pharmacological activity between 2016 and 2020. These patents were mainly searched through the European Patent Office database and Web of Science. These berberine patents (~41) cover a wide range of applications, mainly including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-metabolic disorder, and other newly reported pharmacological activities.

EXPERT OPINION

Berberine is an important lead compound with great potential for optimization in drug development. However, there is a lack of research related to the biomolecular targets of BBR, which directly restricts the development of berberine in the pharmaceutical field. The problems involved with poor bioavailability and cytotoxicity are also worth considering in the development of berberine-based drugs. Accordingly, the increasing number of patents involving biomolecular targets in BBR's patent applications will be published as its related pharmacological mechanisms are further deciphered.

Berberine inhibits colorectal tumor growth by suppressing SHH secretion

Hedgehog plays an important role in a wide range of physiological and pathological conditions. Paracrine activation of Hedgehog pathway in stromal cells increases the expression of VEGF, which promotes neovascularization in colorectal cancer and ultimately the growth of colorectal cancer. Berberine (BBR) has anticancer activity. In this study we investigated whether BBR inhibited the growth of colon cancer through suppressing the paracrine sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling in vitro and in vivo. We showed that BBR (1-10 μM) dose-dependently inhibited the secretion and expression of SHH protein in HT-29 and SW480 cells. BBR did not influence the transcription of SHH, but promoted the degradation of SHH mRNA, thus decreased the SHH mRNA expression in the colorectal cancer cells. In nude mice bearing HT-29 xenograft, oral administration of BBR (100 mg · kg-1 · d-1) or a positive control drug GDC-0449 (100 mg · kg-1 · d-1) for 4 weeks markedly suppressed the growth of HT-29 tumor with BBR exhibiting a better antitumor efficacy. The tumor growth inhibition caused by BBR or GDC-0449 was comparable to their respective inhibitory effect on the mouse-specific Gli mRNA expression in the tumor. However, BBR (20 μM) did not affect the expression of human transcription factor Gli1 mRNA in HT-29 and SW480 cells. In conclusion, BBR promotes the degradation of SHH mRNA in colorectal cancer cells, interrupting the paracrine Hedgehog signaling pathway activity thus suppresses the colorectal cancer growth. This study reveals a novel molecular mechanism underlying the anticancer action of BBR.

Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin against Bladder Cancer: A Review of Possible Molecular Pathways

There are concerns about the increased incidence of cancer both in developing and developed countries. In spite of recent progress in cancer therapy, this disease is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Consequently, there have been rigorous attempts to improve cancer therapy by looking at nature as a rich source of naturally occurring anti-tumor drugs. Curcumin is a well-known plant-derived polyphenol found in turmeric. This compound has numerous pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and anti-tumor properties. Curcumin is capable of suppressing the growth of a variety of cancer cells including those of bladder cancer. Given the involvement of various signaling pathways such as PI3K, Akt, mTOR and VEGF in the progression and malignancy of bladder cancer, and considering the potential of curcumin in targeting signaling pathways, it seems that curcumin can be considered as a promising candidate in bladder cancer therapy. In the present review, we describe the molecular signaling pathways through which curcumin inhibits invasion and metastasis of bladder cancer cells.

The protective effect and mechanism of epidermal growth factor on necrotizing enterocolitis in a neonatal rat model

BACKGROUND

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common acquired gastrointestinal emergency in premature infants. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on NEC in a neonatal rat model.

METHODS

We randomly divided 50 newborn SD rats into a control group, NEC group, NEC + 50 ng/mL EGF group, NEC + 500 ng/mL EGF group, and NEC + 1,000 ng/mL EGF group, with 10 cases in each group. The appearance of intestinal tissue, physiological status score, inflammatory factor level, HE staining, and pathological score were used to evaluate the protective effect. A one cm tissue sample from the proximal ileum of the ileocecal area of five rats from the NEC group and the group that showed a significant protective effect were extracted for transcriptome sequencing.

RESULTS

The levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the intestinal mucosa in the NEC + 500 ng/mL EGF group were significantly lower than those in the NEC + 1,000 ng/mL EGF group (P<0.05). Transcriptome sequencing suggested that EGF effects the intestinal barrier, apoptosis, and inflammation of the NEC intestine.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the oral administration of 500 ng/mL EGF effectively inhibits intestinal inflammation in NEC neonatal rat models, thereby affecting the barrier function of the intestinal tract.

Berberine Attenuates Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Induced by MNNG and Its Potential Mechanism

The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of berberine (BBR) on MNNG-induced chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and the possible mechanism of BBR through TGF-β1/PI3K signal pathway. GES-1 were pretreated with MNNG for 2 h before BBR treatment in all procedures. Cell viability was quantified by cell counting kit-8, and GES-1 morphology and proliferation were detected by high content screening (HCS) assay. The rat model of CAG was established by MNNG, and the therapeutic effect of BBR on stomach histopathology and serum supernatant were analyzed in vivo. In addition, the possible mechanism of BBR was further discussed, and the expression of related genes and proteins in TGF-β1/PI3K signal pathway was detected. The results showed that BBR could significantly improve the survival rate and morphological changes of GES-1, improve the gastric tissue injury of CAG rats, and reduce the expression of G-17 and inflammatory factors IL-8, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. In addition, BBR down-regulated the expression of TGF-β1 axis-related signals such as TGF-β1, PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/mTOR and P70S6K, and promoted the expression of PTEN, LC3-II and Beclin-1. In Conclusion, BBR can improve CAG which may be closely related to TGF-β1/PI3K signal pathway.

Berberine inhibits intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction in colon caused by peritoneal dialysis fluid by improving cell migration

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Berberine is generally extracted from Rhizoma Coptidis (Coptis chinensis Franch), a traditional Chinese medicine, which can be used in the treatment of intestinal diseases, respiratory infections and cardiovascular diseases. Berberine is especially effective for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea because of the effect of heat-clearing and detoxifying in traditional Chinese medicine theory.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to examine the protective effect of berberine (BBR) on the damaged colonic epithelial barrier caused by peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF).

METHODS

The damage to intestinal epithelial barrier was examined by intraperitoneally injecting 4.25% dextrose-containing PDF in mice and establishing a long-term PD model in rats with renal failure. Then, the therapeutic potential of berberine on PD-related colonic injuries was examined. T84 colonic epithelial cells were used to test the effect of PDF and berberine in vitro. The damaging effect of PDF and the protective effect of berberine were evaluated by histology staining, histofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. The migration of colonic epithelial cell and actin-related protein 2 (Arp2) were tested by wound healing assay and Western blot to determine the possible mechanism in vitro.

RESULTS

PD administration induced intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction in the colon, and berberine alleviated the injury by increasing the tight junction and adhesion junction protein, both in vivo and in vitro. Berberine could also improve the morphology of microvillus. In the wound healing assay, berberine exhibited the ability to promote cell migration, indicating that berberine could probably recover the function of intestinal epithelial cells when the intestinal epithelial barrier was damaged by the PDF.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates that berberine can ameliorate intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction in the colon caused by long-term PDF through improving cell migration.

Berberine reduces temozolomide resistance by inducing autophagy via the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

The ability to treat glioblastoma (GBM) using the chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide (TMZ) has been hampered by the development of therapeutic resistance. In this study, we assessed the ability of the isoquinoline alkaloid berberine to alter GBM TMZ resistance using two different TMZ-resistant cell lines to mimic a physiologically relevant GBM experimental system.

METHODS

By treating these resistant cell lines with berberine followed by TMZ, we were able to assess the chemosensitivity of these cells and their parental strains, based on their performance in the MTT and colony formation assays, as well as on the degree of detectable apoptosis that was detected in the strains. Furthermore, we used Western blotting to assess autophagic responses in these cell lines, and we extended this work into a xenograft mouse model to assess the in vivo efficacy of berberine.

RESULTS

Through these experiments, our findings indicated that berberine enhanced autophagy and apoptosis in TMZ-resistant cells upon TMZ treatment in a manner that was linked with ERK1/2 signaling. Similarly, when used in vivo, berberine increased GBM sensitivity to TMZ through ERK1/2 signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that berberine is an effective method of increasing the sensitization of GBM cells to TMZ treatment in a manner that is dependent upon the ERK1/2-mediated induction of autophagy, thus making berberine a potentially viable therapeutic agent for GBM treatment.

Berberine diminishes cancer cell PD-L1 expression and facilitates antitumor immunity via inhibiting the deubiquitination activity of CSN5

Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) blocking therapy has become a major pillar of cancer immunotherapy. Compared with antibodies targeting, small-molecule checkpoint inhibitors which have favorable pharmacokinetics are urgently needed. Here we identified berberine (BBR), a proven anti-inflammation drug, as a negative regulator of PD-L1 from a set of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) chemical monomers. BBR enhanced the sensitivity of tumour cells to co-cultured T-cells by decreasing the level of PD-L1 in cancer cells. In addition, BBR exerted its antitumor effect in Lewis tumor xenograft mice through enhancing tumor-infiltrating T-cell immunity and attenuating the activation of immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T-cells (Tregs). BBR triggered PD-L1 degradation through ubiquitin (Ub)/proteasome-dependent pathway. Remarkably, BBR selectively bound to the glutamic acid 76 of constitutive photomorphogenic-9 signalosome 5 (CSN5) and inhibited PD-1/PD-L1 axis through its deubiquitination activity, resulting in ubiquitination and degradation of PD-L1. Our data reveals a previously unrecognized antitumor mechanism of BBR, suggesting BBR is small-molecule immune checkpoint inhibitor for cancer treatment.

Biologically active isoquinoline alkaloids covering 2014-2018

Isoquinoline alkaloids, an important class of N-based heterocyclic compounds, have attracted considerable attention from researchers worldwide since the early 19th century. Over the past 200 years, many compounds from this class were isolated, and most of them and their analogs possess various bioactivities. In this review, we survey the updated literature on bioactive alkaloids and highlight research achievements of this alkaloid class during the period of 2014-2018. We reviewed over 400 molecules with a broad range of bioactivities, including antitumor, antidiabetic and its complications, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and other activities. This review should provide new indications or directions for the discovery of new and better drugs from the original naturally occurring isoquinoline alkaloids.

A Holistic View of Berberine Inhibiting Intestinal Carcinogenesis in Conventional Mice Based on Microbiome-Metabolomics Analysis

Berberine (BBR) has been reported that it has effects on inhibiting colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the mechanism of BBR on CRC also remains largely unknown. Herein, we investigated the therapeutic effects of BBR on CRC from the perspective of gut microbiota and metabolic alterations, which can provide a holistic view to understand the effects of BBR on CRC. First, azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) mouse was used as CRC animal model, then the degree of colorectal carcinogenesis in AOM/DSS mice with or without BBR administration was measured. The composition and abundance of gut microbiota was investigated by using 16S rRNA. Meanwhile, feces samples were analyzed with ¹H NMR spectroscopy to investigate the metabolic alterations. As a result, BBR significantly reduced intestinal tumor development with lower macroscopic polyps and ki-67 expression of intestinal tissue, and better colonic morphology in mice. Moreover, BBR altered the composition of gut microbiota in AOM/DSS mice obviously, which were characterized by a decrease of Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia significantly at the phylum level. At the genus level, it was able to suppress pathogenic species, such as f_Erysipelotrichaceae, Alistipes, and elevate some short-chain fatty acids (SCFA)-producing bacteria, including Alloprevotella, Flavonifractor, and Oscillibacter. Metabolic data further revealed that BBR induced metabolic changes in feces focus on regulating glycometabolism, SCFA metabolism and amino acid metabolism, which also provides evidence for alteration of the microbiota because these feces metabolites are the products of interactions between the host and the microbial community. This study showed that BBR induced alterations in microbiota and metabolic in AOM/DSS mice, which might providing new insight into the inhibition effects of BBR on CRC.

Flaming the fight against cancer cells: the role of microRNA-93

There have been attempts to develop novel anti-tumor drugs in cancer therapy. Although satisfying results have been observed at a consequence of application of chemotherapeutic agents, the cancer cells are capable of making resistance into these agents. This has forced scientists into genetic manipulation as genetic alterations are responsible for generation of a high number of cancer cells. MicroRNAs (miRs) are endogenous, short non-coding RNAs that affect target genes at the post-transcriptional level. Increasing evidence reveals the potential role of miRs in regulation of biological processes including angiogenesis, metabolism, cell proliferation, cell division, and cell differentiation. Abnormal expression of miRs is associated with development of a number of pathologic events, particularly cancer. MiR-93 plays a significant role in both physiological and pathological mechanisms. At the present review, we show how this miR dually affects the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. Besides, we elucidate the oncogenesis or oncosuppressor function of miR-93.

Berberine promotes XIAP-mediated cells apoptosis by upregulation of miR-24-3p in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND

Berberine (BBR) has gained considerable attention because of its anti-tumor activity. BBR can induce apoptosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells through the MDM2/p53 pathway. However, the effects of BBR on those ALL patients with p53 deficiency remain unclear.

RESULTS

We found that BBR reduced ALL cell viability and induced apoptosis in p53-null EU-4 and p53-mutant EU-6 cells by downregulating X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), which is increased in ALL tissues and cells. BBR-induced cell apoptosis was attenuated by inhibition of XIAP that was controlled by PIM-2. Mechanistic studies showed that BBR treatment induced an enhancement of miR-24-3p. PIM-2 is a direct target of miR-24-3p. Blockade of PIM-2 or miR-24-3p reversed BBR-induced cell apoptosis. In vivo studies, BBR remarkably alleviated leukemia conditions in a EU4 xenograft mouse model, whereas inhibition of miR-24-3p significantly reversed the effects of BBR in the leukemia condition.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-24-3p/PIM-2/XIAP signaling contributes to BBR-mediated leukemia mitigation in p53-defect ALL, which should be further developed as a treatment strategy in ALL patients with p53 deficiency.

METHODS

Cell viability and apoptosis were determined using CCK-8 and TUNEL assays, respectively. The dual-luciferase reporter gene system was used to determine the interaction between miR-24-3p and 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs) of PIM-2.

Phytochemicals in Cancer Treatment: From Preclinical Studies to Clinical Practice

Cancer is a severe health problem that continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide. Increasing knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression has led to the development of a vast number of anticancer drugs. However, the use of chemically synthesized drugs has not significantly improved the overall survival rate over the past few decades. As a result, new strategies and novel chemoprevention agents are needed to complement current cancer therapies to improve efficiency. Naturally occurring compounds from plants known as phytochemicals, serve as vital resources for novel drugs and are also sources for cancer therapy. Some typical examples include taxol analogs, vinca alkaloids such as vincristine, vinblastine, and podophyllotoxin analogs. These phytochemicals often act via regulating molecular pathways which are implicated in growth and progression of cancer. The specific mechanisms include increasing antioxidant status, carcinogen inactivation, inhibiting proliferation, induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis; and regulation of the immune system. The primary objective of this review is to describe what we know to date of the active compounds in the natural products, along with their pharmacologic action and molecular or specific targets. Recent trends and gaps in phytochemical based anticancer drug discovery are also explored. The authors wish to expand the phytochemical research area not only for their scientific soundness but also for their potential druggability. Hence, the emphasis is given to information about anticancer phytochemicals which are evaluated at preclinical and clinical level.

Coptisine from Coptis chinensis exerts diverse beneficial properties: A concise review

Coptisine is a natural small-molecular compound extracted from Coptis chinensis (CC) with a history of using for thousands of years. This work aimed at summarizing coptisine's activity and providing advice for its clinical use. We analysed the online papers in the database of SciFinder, Web of Science, PubMed, Google scholar and CNKI by setting keywords as 'coptisine' in combination of 'each pivotal pathway target'. Based on the existing literatures, we find (a) coptisine exerted potential to be an anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, CAD ameliorating or anti-bacterial drug through regulating the signalling transduction of pathways such as NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, NLRP3 inflammasome, RANKL/RANK and Beclin 1/Sirt1. However, we also (b) observe that the plasma concentration of coptisine demonstrates obvious non-liner relationship with dosage, and even the highest dosage used in animal study actually cannot reach the minimum concentration level used in cell experiments owing to the poor absorption and low availability of coptisine. We conclude (a) further investigations can focus on coptisine's effect on caspase-1-involved inflammasome assembling and pyroptosis activation, as well as autophagy. (b) Under circumstance of promoting coptisine availability by pursuing nano- or microrods strategies or applying salt-forming process to coptisine, can it be introduced to clinical trial.

Berberine as a potential autophagy modulator

Today, pharmacognosy is considered a valuable science in the prevention and treatment of diseases. Among herbals, Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid found in the Berberis species. Surprisingly, it shows antimicrobial, antiviral, antidiarrheal, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory potential. Furthermore, it diminishes drug resistance in cancer therapy and enhances tumor suppression in part through autophagy and cell cycle arrest mechanisms. In the present review, we discuss the effect of berberine on diverse cellular pathways and describe how berberine acts as an autophagy modulator to adjust physiologic and pathologic conditions and diminishes drug resistance in cancer therapy.

Gut microbial transformation, a potential improving factor in the therapeutic activities of four groups of natural compounds isolated from herbal medicines

Herbal medicines (HMs) have attracted widespread attention because of their significant contributions to the prevention and treatment of many human diseases. Recently, gut microbiota has become an important frontier to understand the therapeutic mechanisms of medicines. Gut microbiota-mediated transformation is a microbial metabolic form after oral administrations of HMs compounds. A great number of studies showed that gut microbiota could transform some HMs compounds by the variation of chemical structures into several active metabolites, which exerted better bioavailabilities and therapeutic activities than their parent compounds. Among these HMs compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols and terpenoids were the representative ones. However, there is no systemic review focusing on the potential improved therapeutic activities of these natural compounds caused by gut microbial transformation. Here, this review summarizes the therapeutic activities that are more potent in microbial transformed metabolites than in their parent compounds (alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols and terpenoids) from HMs. We hope this review will be conducive to deepening the understanding of the relationship between gut microbial transformation and therapeutic activities of HMs compounds.