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Xia K, Hei Z, Li S, Song H, Huang R, Ji X, Zhang F, Shen J, Zhang S, Peng S, Wu J. Berberine inhibits intracellular Ca 2+ signals in mouse pancreatic acinar cells through M 3 muscarinic receptors: Novel target, mechanism, and implication. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 225:116279. [PMID: 38740221 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Berberine, a natural isoquinoline alkaloid, exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects, but the pharmacological targets and mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we report a novel finding that berberine inhibits acetylcholine (ACh)-induced intracellular Ca2+ oscillations, mediated through an inhibition of the muscarinic subtype 3 (M3) receptor. Patch-clamp recordings and confocal Ca2+ imaging were applied to acute dissociated pancreatic acinar cells prepared from CD1 mice to examine the effects of berberine on ACh-induced Ca2+ oscillations. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed that berberine (from 0.1 to 10 µM) reduced ACh-induced Ca2+ oscillations in a concentration-dependent manner, and this inhibition also depended on ACh concentrations. The inhibitory effect of berberine neither occurred in intracellular targets nor extracellular cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors, chloride (Cl-) channels, and store-operated Ca2+ channels. Together, the results demonstrate that berberine directly inhibits the muscarinic M3 receptors, further confirmed by evidence of the interaction between berberine and M3 receptors in pancreatic acinar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunkun Xia
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China; Department of Colorectal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Zhijun Hei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China; Department of Colorectal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Shuangtao Li
- Brain Function and Disease Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Huimin Song
- Brain Function and Disease Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Rongni Huang
- Brain Function and Disease Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Xiaoyu Ji
- Brain Function and Disease Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China; Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Fenni Zhang
- Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Jianxin Shen
- Brain Function and Disease Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Shuijun Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Shuang Peng
- School of Sport and Health Sciences, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China; Brain Function and Disease Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China; Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China; Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix 85013, USA
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Pingkui Enema Alleviates TNBS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis by Regulation of Inflammatory Factors, Gut Bifidobacterium, and Intestinal Mucosal Barrier in Rats. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:3896948. [PMID: 32831864 PMCID: PMC7428901 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3896948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic recurrent inflammation of the colon, and clinical outcome of UC is still unsatisfied. Pingkui enema, a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, has been safely applied for the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery in clinic for many years. However, its mechanism is still elusive. The present study is designed to investigate the effect of Pingkui enema on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid- (TNBS-) induced ulcerative colitis (UC) and possible mechanism in rats. Methods UC was induced by intracolonic instillation of TNBS in male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were treated with different dosages of Pingkui enema (low, medium, and high) or sulfasalazine for ten days. Survival rate was calculated. A clinical disease activity score was evaluated. Histological colitis severity was analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Content of Bifidobacterium in intestinal tissue was analyzed by RT-PCR. Concentration of IL-8, IL-13, TNF-α, D-lactic acid (D-LA), and diamine oxidase (DAO) in serum and contents of adhesin and receptor of Bifidobacterium adhesion in rat intestinal mucus were measured by ELISA. Results The results showed that Pingkui enema treatment with high dosage markedly improved the survival rate compared with untreated and sulfasalazine treated groups. All dosages of Pingkui enema reduced pathological score. High dosage of Pingkui enema and sulfasalazine treatments significantly reduced the serum concentration of IL-8, TNF-α, D-LA, and DAO and markedly increased the serum concentration of IL-13. In addition, high-dose Pingkui enema and sulfasalazine treatments increased gut content of Bifidobacterium, gut mucus expressions of adhesin, and adhesin receptor of Bifidobacterium. Conclusions Pingkui enema has therapeutic effect on TNBS-induced UC, and possible mechanism may be via regulation of gut probiotics (Bifidobacterium) and inflammatory factors and protection of intestinal mucosal barrier.
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Imanshahidi M, Hosseinzadeh H. Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Berberis vulgaris and its active constituent, berberine. Phytother Res 2008; 22:999-1012. [PMID: 18618524 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 405] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris L. family Berberidaceae) is well known in Iran and various parts of this plant including its root, bark, leaf and fruit have been used as folk medicine. The two decades of research has demonstrated different pharmacological and therapeutic effects of B. vulgaris and its isoquinoline alkaloids (particularly berberine). Studies carried out on the chemical composition of the plant show that the most important constituents of this plant are isoquinoline alkaloids such as berberine, berbamine and palmatine. Berberine represents one of the most studied among the naturally occurring protoberberine alkaloids. In addition to B. vulgaris (barberry), berberine is present in many other plants and is used for the treatment of different diseases. This article reviews the traditional uses and pharmacological effects of total extract and the most active ingredient of B. vulgaris (berberine).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Imanshahidi
- Pharmacodynamy and Toxicology Department, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, I.R. Iran
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Tsai JC, Tsai S, Chang WC. Comparison of two Chinese medical herbs, Huangbai and Qianniuzi, on influence of short circuit current across the rat intestinal epithelia. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2004; 93:21-25. [PMID: 15182899 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2004.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2003] [Revised: 02/17/2004] [Accepted: 02/23/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Huangbai (Phellodendron spec.) and Qianniuzi (Pharbitis spec.) are two traditional Chinese medical herbs used for anti-diarrheal and laxative agents, respectively. Ethanol and water extracts of these two herbs were prepared and effects of the extracts on ion transport of the rat intestinal epithelia were studied. For measuring changes of the short circuit current across the epithelia, the rat intestinal epithelia were mounted in the Ussing chamber and attached with voltage/current clamp. The intestinal epithelia were firstly activated by serosal administration of 5 microM forskolin. As current raised and being stable, extracts of these herbs were added, respectively, and changes in the short circuit current were recorded. Ethanol extract of Huangbai attenuated the current increment; on the contrary, ethanol extract of Qianniuzi augmented the current increment additionally. Water extracts of the two herbs showed minor effects on the current in comparison to ethanol extracts. The results provide evidences to reveal the pharmacological mechanism of the two Chinese medical herbs on the intestinal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Chang Tsai
- Department of Physical Education, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua, Taiwan
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Tsai JC, Tsai S, Chang WC. Effect of Ethanol Extracts of Three Chinese Medicinal Plants With Anti-diarrheal Properties on Ion Transport of the Rat Intestinal Epithelia. J Pharmacol Sci 2004; 94:60-6. [PMID: 14745119 DOI: 10.1254/jphs.94.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Effects of ethanol extracts of three Chinese medicinal plants, namely, Qinpi (Fraxini cortex), Kushen (Sophora flavescens, AITON), and Huanglian (Coptis teeta, WALLICH), on ion transport of the rat intestinal epithelia were determined in this study. Rat intestinal epithelia mounted in an Ussing chamber attached to a voltage/current clamp were used for measuring changes in the short circuit current across the epithelia. Activation of the intestinal epithelia by serosal administration of 5 microM forskolin resulted in an increase in basal short circuit current. The ethanol extracts of each of the three plants partially reduced the current stimulated by forskolin. In the following experiments, ouabain and bumetanide were added prior to adding the ethanol extract of these plants for revealing their effect on Na(+) and Cl(-) movement. The results suggest that the ethanol extract of the Qinpi would affect Cl(-) transport. On the contrary, the ethanol extract of Kushen would affect Na(+) transport rather than Cl(-) movement. This study provides evidences that reveal the pharmacological mechanism of the Chinese plants with anti-diarrheal properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Chang Tsai
- Department of Physical Education, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua, Taiwan
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Kang BY, Chung SW, Cho D, Kim TS. Involvement of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in the induction of interleukin-12 p40 production in mouse macrophages by berberine, a benzodioxoloquinolizine alkaloid. Biochem Pharmacol 2002; 63:1901-10. [PMID: 12034375 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-2952(02)00982-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-12 plays a pivotal role in the development of T helper type 1 (Th1)-immune response, which may have therapeutic effects on diseases associated with pathologic Th2 responses such as allergic disorders and asthma. In this study, we investigated the effects of berberine, a benzodioxoloquinolizine alkaloid with anti-microbial and anti-tumor activities, on the production of IL-12 p40, an inducible subunit of IL-12, in mouse macrophages. Berberine-induced IL-12 p40 production and activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in dose-dependent manners, which were significantly inhibited by p38 MAPK inhibitors and yohimbine, indicating that p38 MAPK and alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor were involved in the induction of IL-12 p40 production in mouse macrophages by berberine. Furthermore, berberine significantly enhanced IL-12 p40 production in mouse macrophages when combined with lipopolysaccharide, a well-known inducer of IL-12 production. These findings may explain some of the known biological effects of berberine and suggests berberine as an immunotherapeutic compound for induction of IL-12, which is potentially applicable for tumors, infectious disease, and airway inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bok Yun Kang
- Immunology Laboratory, Research Institute of Drug Development, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Kwangju 500-757, South Korea
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