Berbamine ameliorates DSS-induced colitis by inhibiting peptidyl-arginine deiminase 4-dependent neutrophil extracellular traps formation

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with immune dysregulation affecting colon inflammatory response. Recent studies have highlighted that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of UC. Berbamine (BBM), one of the bioactive ingredients extracted from Chinese herbal medicine Berberis vulgaris L, has attracted intensive attentions due to its significant anti-inflammatory activity and a marketing drug for treating leukemia in China. However, the exact role and potential molecular mechanism of BBM against UC remains elusive. In the present study, our results showed that BBM could markedly improve the pathological phenotype and the colon inflammation in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Then, comprehensive approaches combining network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses were employed to predict the therapeutic potential of BBM in treating UC by peptidyl-arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4), a crucial molecule involved in NETs formation. The molecular docking results showed BBM had a high affinity for PAD4 with a binding energy of -9.3 kcal/mol Moreover, PAD4 expression and NETs productions, including citrullination of histone H3 (Cit-H3), neutrophil elastase (NE), myeloperoxidase (MPO) in both neutrophils and colonic tissue were reduced after BBM administration. However, in the mice with DSS-induced colitis pretreated with GSK484, a PAD4-specific inhibitor, BBM could not further reduce disease related indexes, expression of PAD4 and NETs productions. Above all, the identification of PAD4 as a potential target for BBM to inhibit NETs formation in colitis provides novel insights into the development of BBM-derived drugs for the clinical management of UC.

Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Berbamine: A Potent Alkaloid from Genus Berberis

Berbamine (Ber) is an active medicinal bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, which is usually obtained from different plants of the genus Berberis (family Berberidaceae) and is used to cure various disorders in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic systems of medicine. Numerous in-vitro and in-vivo studies revealed the apoptotic and cytotoxic potential of Ber against different cell lines (SMMC-7721, A549, MDA-MB-231, and K562) by upregulating pro-apoptotic (Bax, p53) and downregulating anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2, survivin) proteins. Other pharmacological attributes ascribed to Ber included cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antioxidant, anti-hypercholesterolemic, and anti-allergic. Moreover, the synergistic effect of Ber improved the therapeutic potential of different drugs (paclitaxel (PTL), gemcitabine, dexamethasone, doxorubicin (DOX), and celecoxib) in different models. Various attempts could fabricate biologically active derivatives of Ber, such as 4-chlorobenzoyl berbamine (CBB) and O-4- ethoxyl-butyl-berbamine (EBB). The review focuses on the medicinal applications of Ber, particularly anti-cancer, cardioprotective, and anti-inflammatory, along with the mechanism of action.

ATB0,+-targeted nanoparticles initiate autophagy suppression to overcome chemoresistance for enhanced colorectal cancer therapy

Oxaliplatin (OXA) resistance remains the major obstacle to the successful chemotherapy of colorectal cancer (CRC). As a self-protection mechanism, autophagy may contribute to tumor drug resistance, therefore autophagy suppression could be regarded as a possible treatment option in chemotherapy. Cancer cells, especially drug-resistant tumor cells, increase their demand for specific amino acids by expanding exogenous supply and up-regulating de novo synthesis, to meet the needs for excessive proliferation. Therefore, it is possible to inhibit cancer cell proliferation through pharmacologically blocking the entry of amino acid into cancer cells. SLC6A14 (ATB^{0, +}) is an essential amino acid transporter, that is often abnormally up-regulated in most cancer cells. Herein, in this study, we designed oxaliplatin/berbamine-coloaded, ATB^0,+-targeted nanoparticles ((O+B)@Trp-NPs) to therapeutically target SLC6A14 (ATB^{0, +}) and inhibit cancer proliferation. The (O+B)@Trp-NPs utilize the surface-modified tryptophan to achieve SLC6A14-targeted delivery of Berbamine (BBM), a compound that is found in a number of plants used in traditional Chinese medicine, which could suppress autolysosome formation though impairing autophagosome-lysosome fusion. We verified the feasibility of this strategy to overcome the OXA resistance during colorectal cancer treatment. The (O+B)@Trp-NPs significantly inhibited the proliferation and decreased the drug resistance of resistant colorectal cancer cells. In vivo, (O+B)@Trp-NPs greatly suppressed the tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice, which is consistent with the in vitro data. This research offers a unique and promising chemotherapeutic treatment for colorectal cancer.

Berbamine Exerts an Anti-oncogenic Effect on Pancreatic Cancer by Regulating Wnt and DNA Damage-related Pathways

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the effects of berbamine on pancreatic cancer as well as the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

The pancreatic cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of berbamine and then subjected to cell viability assay, colony formation assay, cell cycle analysis, and apoptosis detection. Western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the biological effects of berbamine on the pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, the in vivo anti-pancreatic cancer effect of berbamine was examined using a mouse xenograft model.

RESULTS

Berbamine significantly inhibited the proliferation and colony-forming ability of BxPC3 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells while inducing a cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, berbamine decreased the expression of β- catenin and phosphorylation of GSK3β but increased the expression of γ-H2AX and 53BP1. Meanwhile, in vivo studies revealed that berbamine attenuated the growth of xenograft tumors derived from PANC-1 cells. Notably, berbamine treatment led to an increase in the expression of Cleaved Caspase 3 and γ-H2AX, as well as a decrease in the expression of Ki-67 and β-catenin in the tumor xenografts.

CONCLUSION

Berbamine exerts an anti-pancreatic cancer effect, possibly by regulating Wnt and DNA damage-related pathways, suggestive of its therapeutic potential for pancreatic cancer.

Berbamine Inhibits the Biological Activities of Prostate Cancer Cells by Modulating the ROS/NF-κB Axis

Background/Introduction: Prostate cancer ranks as the second leading cause of cancer death. No effective pharmacological agent is available for prostate cancer treatment. Berbamine is an alkaloid extracted from the Chinese herb berberis, which exerts an effect on inhibiting cancer cell proliferation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of berbamine in inhibiting prostate cancer.

METHODS

Prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and DU145 cells were used to evaluate the effects of berbamine. Cell viability was determined using cell-counting kit 8. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using a ROS assay kit. Cell apoptosis rate was examined using flow cytometry. The protein levels associated with cell proliferation, NF-κB pathway, and apoptosis were determined using western blot.

RESULTS

It was found that berbamine induced cell cycle arrest in the S phase and inhibited prostate cancer cell growth and proliferation. Berbamine inhibited prostate cancer cells by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB pathway in vitro. Berbamine increased ROS as an upstream molecule that inhibited the NF-κB pathway.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that berbamine can effectively reduce the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. The ROS/NF-κB axis plays a crucial role in berbamine-mediated anti-prostate cancer cell proliferation.

Berbamine reduces body weight via suppression of small GTPase Rab8a activity and activation of paraventricular hypothalamic neurons in obese mice

Small GTPase Rab8a is involved in fat-specific protein 27 (Fsp27) mediated lipid droplet accumulation in adipocytes. By screening inhibitors of Rab8a GTPase from a natural compound library, berbamine (BBM), a marketing drug for treatment of leukopenia in China, was identified to inhibit the activity of Rab8a GTPase and block the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Animal study showed that BBM could reduce body weight, improved glucose and lipid metabolic homeostasis in high-fat diet-induced obesity (DIO) C57BL/6 mice and db/db mice. Additional, BBM increased energy expenditure and inhibited food intake in mice but not in lean mice. Moreover, intracerebroventricular injection (i.c.v.) of BBM inhibited feeding behavior and increased c-Fos expression in paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) of mice. Our data suggest that BBM may improve obesity through the inhibition of Rab8a GTPase activity and the activation of anorexigenic energy-sensing neuron in PVH.

Anti-Tumor and Anti-Metastasis Effects of Berbamine-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles on Pancreatic Cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of Berbamine-loaded lipid nanoparticles (BBM-NPs) in pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

Dopamine polymerization-polylactide-TPGS nanoparticles were synthesized to prepare BBM-NPs, and the change in particle size of BBM-NPs was measured. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay, plate cloning experiment, and apoptosis analysis were performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of BBM-NPs against the pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1 and AsPC-1). Migration and invasion abilities of the tumor cells were determined by Transwell and wound healing assays. The intracellular level of ROS and expression of tumor progression-related proteins were measured using ROS-kit and western blot assay. Besides, an in vivo study was performed in the Balb/c nude mice to analyze the function of BBM-NPs in tumor growth.

RESULTS

The in vitro studies showed that BBM-NPs with stable particle size and sustained drug release effectively inhibited the viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells, while promoting cell apoptosis. Moreover, the in vivo experiments revealed that compared to Free BBM, BBM-NPs exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect on the growth of xenograft tumors derived from PANC-1 cells in mice. In addition, increased expressions of ROS, Bax, Cleaved Caspase-3, and γ-H2AX, as well as decreased expressions of MMP2, MMP9 and Bcl-2 were identified in both Free BBM and BBM-NPs groups, while BBM-NPs exhibited a stronger effect on protein expression than Free BBM.

CONCLUSION

In summary, BBM-loaded lipid nanoparticles enhanced the therapeutic effects of BBM on pancreatic cancer, providing a promising strategy for targeted cancer therapy.

Identification of Berbamine, Oxyacanthine and Rutin from Berberis asiatica as anti-SARS-CoV-2 compounds: An in silico study

Owing to the shortage of specific medicines, the global pandemic of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been the greatest challenge for the science community. Researchers from all over the world developed some drugs which failed to completely suppress the contiguous disease. SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), an important component in viral pathogenesis, is considered as a prospective drug target to stop SARS-CoV-2 infection. Since identification of phytochemicals with anti-Mpro activity has been carried out to develop the potential drugs against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, the present study was conducted to screen phytochemicals of Berberis asiatica for anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. Through text mining, thirty phytochemicals were reported from B. asiatica, of which, three phytochemicals (Berbamine, Oxyacanthine, and Rutin) show high affinity with the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and exhibited favorable intermolecular interactions with the catalytic residues (His41 and Cys145) and other essential residues. The molecular dynamics simulation showed that Mpro-phytochemical complexes are more stable, less fluctuating, more compact, and moderately extended than the Mpro-X77 (Reference) complex. The number of H-bonds and MMPBSA results also demonstrates that Berbamine, Oxyacanthine, and Rutin are potent Mpro inhibitors having free energy of −20.79, −33.35, and −31.12 kcal mol⁻¹ respectively. The toxicity risk prediction supports all phytochemicals for drug-like and non-toxic nature. From the result, we propose that binding of these phytochemicals could hamper the function of Mpro. This work suggests that selected phytochemicals could be used as novel anti-COVID-19 drug candidates, and might act as novel compounds for in vitro and in vivo study.

Amelioration of diabetic retinopathy in db/db mice by treatment with different proportional three active ingredients from Tibetan medicine Berberis dictyophylla F

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Berberis dictyophylla F., a famous Tibetan medicine, has been used to prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy (DR) for thousands of years in clinic. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was designed to probe the synergistic protection and involved mechanisms of berberine, magnoflorine and berbamine from Berberis dictyophylla F. on the spontaneous retinal damage of db/db mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The 14-week spontaneous model of DR in db/db mice were randomly divided into eight groups: model group, calcium dobesilate (CaDob, 0.23 g/kg) group and groups 1-6 (different proportional three active ingredients from Berberis dictyophylla F.). All mice were intragastrically administrated for a continuous 12 weeks. Body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were recorded and measured. Hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stainings were employed to evaluate the pathological changes and abnormal angiogenesis of the retina. ELISA was performed to assess the levels of IL-6, HIF-1α and VEGF in the serum. Immunofluorescent staining was applied to detect the protein levels of CD31, VEGF, p-p38, p-JNK, p-ERK and NF-κB in retina. In addition, mRNA expression levels of VEGF, Bax and Bcl-2 in the retina were monitored by qRT-PCR analysis.

RESULTS

Treatment with different proportional three active ingredients exerted no significant effect on the weight, but decreased the FBG, increased the number of retinal ganglionic cells and restored internal limiting membrane. The results of PAS staining demonstrated that the drug treatment decreased the ratio of endothelial cells to pericytes while thinned the basal membrane of retinal vessels. Moreover, these different proportional active ingredients can markedly downregulate the protein levels of retinal CD31 and VEGF, and serum HIF-1α and VEGF. The gene expression of retinal VEGF was also suppressed. The levels of retinal p-p38, p-JNK and p-ERK proteins were decreased by drug treatment. Finally, drug treatment reversed the proinflammatory factors of retinal NF-κB and serum IL-6, and proapoptotic Bax gene expression, while increased antiapoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that DR in db/db mice can be ameliorated by treatment with different proportional three active ingredients from Berberis dictyophylla F. The potential vascular protection mechanisms may be involved in inhibiting the phosphorylation of the MAPK signaling pathway, thus decreasing inflammatory and apoptotic events.

Berbamine inhibits Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection by compromising TPRMLs-mediated endolysosomal trafficking of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a member of the Flavivirus genus, is an important pathogen that causes human and animal infectious diseases in Asia. So far, no effective antiviral agents are available to treat JEV infection. Here, we found that LDLR is a host factor required for JEV entry. Berbamine significantly decreases the level of LDLR at the plasma membrane by inducing the secretion of LDLR via extracellular vesicles (EVs), thereby inhibiting JEV infection. Mechanistically, berbamine blocks TRPMLs (Ca²⁺ permeable non-selective cation channels in endosomes and lysosomes) to compromise the endolysosomal trafficking of LDLR. This leads to the increased secretion of LDLR via EVs and the concomitant decrease in its level at the plasma membrane, thereby rendering cells resistant to JEV infection. Berbamine also protects mice from the lethal challenge of JEV. In summary, these results indicate that berbamine is an effective anti-JEV agent by preventing JEV entry.

Antiangiogenic and antitumor potential of berbamine, a natural CaMKIIγ inhibitor, against glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most malignant brain tumors and requires the formation of new blood vessels, called angiogenesis, for its growth and metastasis. Several proangiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), stimulate GBM angiogenesis. Accordingly, blocking the angiogenesis induced by angiogenic factors represents a promising modality for the treatment of GBM. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of berbamine, a plant-derived compound, on the angiogenesis induced by VEGF and BDNF in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Berbamine effectively inhibited the angiogenic features stimulated by VEGF (such as proliferation, adhesion, invasion, tube formation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in HUVECs) as well as those by BDNF, at concentrations that do not affect endothelial cell viability. The antiangiogenic effects of berbamine were associated with the downregulation of VEGF/VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2)/Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIγ (CaMKIIγ) and BDNF/tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB)/CaMKIIγ signaling pathways. In addition, berbamine suppressed the expression of a key regulator of tumor angiogenesis, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and its transcriptional target, VEGF, in U87MG GBM cells. Furthermore, berbamine significantly inhibited in vivo neovascularization as well as U87MG tumor growth in a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. All these findings suggest that berbamine may be utilized as a new antiangiogenic agent for the treatment of malignant brain tumors.

Berbamine ameliorates ethanol-induced liver injury by inhibition of hepatic inflammation in mice

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) has become one of the leading causes of death in the world. Berbamine (BM), a natural product mainly derived from Berberis vulgaris L, possesses multiple bioactivities as a traditional medicine. However, the protective effect of BM on ALD remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of BM on ethanol-induced hepatic injury in mice and its underlying mechanism. It was shown that BM at 0.3125-40 μmol·L^-1had no effect on macrophages and hepatocytes proliferation. BM at 5-20 μmol·L^-1 significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or acetate-induced IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA expression in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, BM treatment significantly inhibited LPS-induced p65 and STAT3 phosphorylation in RAW264.7 cells. Hepatic histopathology analysis showed that inflammatory cells infiltration and lipid accumulation were suppressed by 25 and 50 mg·kg^-1 BM administration in ethanol-induced hepatic injury mouse model. Meanwhile, BM treatment significantly inhibited serum ALT and AST levels in ethanol-fed mice. Oil red O staining results showed that BM administration ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation in ethanol-fed mice. Preventions of ethanol-induced hepatic injury by BM were reflected by markedly decreased serum and hepatic triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) contents. Real-time PCR results showed that BM treatment significantly inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines mRNA expression in ethanol-fed mouse liver. Remarkably, the mechanism of action of BM was related to the reduction of ethanol-induced NF-κB and STAT3 phosphorylation levels in liver. In addition, BM treatment significantly inhibited ERK phosphorylation but not JNK and p38 of MAPK pathway. Taken together, our results demonstrate a beneficial effect of BM on ethanol-induced liver injury via a mechanism associated with inactivation of NF-κB, STAT3 and ERK pathway, which gives insight into the further evaluation of the therapeutic potential of BM for ALD.

Natural Plant Extract Berbamine Is a Potent Inhibitor of Cell Growth and Survival of Human Tenon's Fibroblasts

INTRODUCTION

Post-trabeculectomy scarring due to excessive proliferation of human Tenon's fibroblasts (HTFs) often led to operation failure. Developing a new anti-fibrosis drug with high efficacy to inhibit HTF cell growth will greatly improve the effectiveness of trabeculectomy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the effect of berbamine (BBM) treatment on the cell growth and survival of HTFs.

METHODS

Cultured human fetal Tenon's fibroblasts (HFTFs) were treated with or without different concentrations of BBM. Cell morphology was observed with a phase contrast microscope. A CCK-8 method and Ki67 immunofluorescence were used to determine cell viability and cell proliferation. A scratch test was used to study cell migration. Flow cytometry and TUNEL staining were performed to detect cell apoptosis. The expression of BAX/BCL-2, ERK, and AKT/mTOR pathway components was determined by Western blotting.

RESULTS

BBM treatment disrupted HFTF normal morphology and inhibited its cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Ki67 immunofluorescence and scratch assay showed BBM suppressed HFTF cell proliferation and migration. Importantly, BBM dose-dependently increased the BAX/BCL-2 ratio and induced apoptosis in HFTF cells. Western blotting showed BBM significantly inhibited the ERK and AKT/mTOR pathway, and PTEN inhibition ameliorated the inhibitory effect of BBM on cell viability and survival in HFTFs.

CONCLUSIONS

BBM potently inhibits the cell growth and survival of HTFs through AKT/mTOR and has the potential to serve as an anti-fibrosis drug after trabeculectomy.

Anti-hypercholesterolemic Effect of Berbamine Isolated from Rhizoma Coptidis in Hypercholesterolemic Zebrafish Induced by High-Cholesterol Diet

The anti-hypercholesterolemic effect of berbamine (BBM) isolated from Rhizoma Coptidis (RC) was investigated in hypercholesterolemic zebrafish model induced by high-cholesterol (HC) diet. Zebrafish embryo assay revealed no significant difference in morphology and cell death with the treatment of BBM less than 20 μg/mL. In zebrafish larvae, the fluorescently labeled cholesterol in caudal artery was reduced dose-dependently after BBM treatment. For adult zebrafish, administration of 0.2% BBM exhibited a significant decrease in plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels by 37%, 38% and 28%, respectively, along with a fall in lipid content in liver. Further investigation suggested that the mRNA expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) in liver were down-regulated and the transcription levels of liver gene low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and cytochrome P450 polypeptide 1a of subfamily A of family 7 (CYP7A1a) were significantly up-regulated with BBM treatment. Histological study showed that BBM can alleviate hepatic steatosis induced by HC diet. These data suggested that BBM has anti-hypercholesterolemic and hepatoprotective effects. The mechanism probably related to the up-regulation of cholesterol transport and bile acid synthesis as well as inhibition of cholesterol synthesis and lipoprotein assembly or secretion.

An UPLC-MS/MS method for quantifying tetrandrine and its metabolite berbamine in human blood: Application to a human pharmacokinetic study

Tetrandrine (TET) was approved by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) for the treatment of silicosis. However, patients can't use this effective drug chronically due to side effects such as hypersomnia, asthenia, etc. The purpose of this study is to develop an UPLC-MS/MS method to quantify TET and its major metabolite and apply the method in a single dose human pharmacokinetic study. A Restek UItra BiPh column (100×2.1mm, 5μm) was used with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water as the mobile phases. The mass analysis was performed in a Waters Xevo TQ mass spectrometer via multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) with positive scan mode. A one-step protein precipitation by acetonitrile was used to extract the analytes from blood sample. The method showed linearity in the concentration ranges of 2.05-1050.00ng/mL for TET and 1.27-650.00ng/mL for berbamine. The intra/inter-day precisions were less 15% for these two analytes. The extraction recoveries of these two analytes were from 75.6% to 107.8% and the matrix effects ranged from 92.4% to 110.4%. The stabilities of these compounds in plasma were evaluated by analyzing three different concentrations following storage at 25°C for 6h, and -80°C for 30days. All the samples displayed less than 15.0% variations. The validated method was applied to PK study in human and the PK parameters of TET and berbamine were determined. In conclusion, a robust and sensitive LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated. In addition, the results of human PK experiment showed that TET and berbamine could be accumulated and more study is needed to establish a reasonable dose segment.

Berbamine suppresses cell viability and induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer via activating p53-dependent apoptotic signaling pathway

Berbamine has been shown to exhibit anti-cancer activities in various types of cancers. The effects of berbamine on colorectal colon cancer (CRC) have not been examined, and the present study aimed to investigate the anti-cancer effects of berbamine in CRC and explore its underlying molecular mechanisms. The effect of berbamine on the CRC cells was determined by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was performed to examine the effect of berbamine on cell apoptosis and cell cycle as well as mitochondrial membrane potential in CRC cell lines. The specific apoptosis-related factors were evaluated by western blot assay. In vivo anti-cancer effect of berbamine was assessed in SW480 xenografts. Berbamine suppressed the cell viability of CRC cells in concentration-dependent and time-dependent manners. Flow cytometry experiments showed that berbamine increased cell apoptotic rate and induced cell cycle arrest at G₀/G₁ phase. Berbamine treatment also decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential in CRC cells. Western blot assay showed that berbamine increased the protein levels of p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax and poly ADP ribose polymerase, and decreased the protein levels of Bcl-2 in CRC cells. Berbamine failed to increase the cell apoptotic rate in p53 mutant CRC cell lines. Tumor growth by grafted SW480 cells were significantly suppressed in berbamine group. Expression of p53, caspase-3 and -9 in tumor tissues was significantly up-regulated by berbamine. Berbamine exerts anti-cancer effects in vitro and in vivo via induction of apoptosis, partially associated with the activation of p53-dependent apoptosis signaling pathway.