Berberis Vulgaris and Berberine: An Update Review

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid present in several plants, including Coptis sp. and Berberis sp. Berberine is a customary component in Chinese medicine, and is characterized by a diversity of pharmacological effects. An extensive search in electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Ovid, Wiley, ProQuest, ISI, and Science Direct) were used to identify the pharmacological and clinical studies on Berberis vulgaris and berberine, during 2008 to 2015, using ‘berberine’ and ‘Berberis vulgaris’ as search words. We found more than 1200 new article studying the properties and clinical uses of berberine and B. vulgaris, for treating tumor, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, bacterial and viral infections, cerebral ischemia trauma, mental disease, Alzheimer disease, osteoporosis, and so on. In this article, we have updated the pharmacological effects of B. vulgaris and its active constituent, berberine. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

黄连素的药理作用及机制研究进展

黄连素是从黄连、黄柏等植物中提取出来的一种生物碱,其具有显著的抗菌作用,用来治疗细菌性胃肠炎、痢疾等消化道疾病已有很长的历史。近年来,黄连素的其他药理作用逐渐被发现。研究结果表明,黄连素对心血管系统、神经系统、内分泌系统等均有明显影响,尤其是降血脂作用对防治动脉粥样硬化效果良好。黄连素还能增加胰岛素的敏感性来治疗糖尿病。黄连素被发现有明显的抗炎抗癌作用。黄连素能杀伤肿瘤细胞抑制肿瘤细胞增殖和诱导肿瘤细胞的凋亡。黄连素还能影响钙离子、钾离子等离子通道来调节电解质平衡。由于黄连素的抗炎抗氧化作用,可用于治疗消化性溃疡。本文就黄连素的作用及其机制进行了详细的总结,包括黄连素对心血管系统、神经系统、内分泌系统的影响以及抗炎、抗菌、抗癌等药理作用,还有对离子通道、周期蛋白、细胞外基质的影响。有关黄连素的作用及机制越来越引人关注,尤其是抗癌活性,表明对含有黄连素这一活性成分的中药及方剂的研究将会有新的进展。总结黄连素的作用及其机制,将有助于提高黄连素的临床应用及新药研发。     

Metabolic effect of berberine–silymarin association: A meta‐analysis of randomized,double‐blind,placebo‐controlled clinical trials

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of a combination of berberine and silymarin on serum lipids and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) through a systematic review of literature and meta‐analysis of the available randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trials (RCTs). A systematic literature search in SCOPUS, PubMed‐Medline, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases was conducted up to October 2, 2018, in order to identify RCTs assessing changes in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and FPG during treatment with berberine and silymarin in combination. Two review authors independently extracted data on study characteristics, methods, and outcomes. Quantitative data synthesis was performed using a random‐effects model. We identified five eligible RCTs, with 497 subjects overall included. Berberine and silymarin combination treatment exerted a positive effect on TC (mean difference [MD]: ?25.3, 95% CI [?39.2, ?11.4] mg/dl; p < 0.001), TG (MD: ?28, 95% CI [?35.3, ?20.6] mg/dl; p < 0.001), HDL‐C [MD: 6, 95% CI [3.2, 8.8] mg/dl; p < 0.001), LDL‐C (MD: ?29.1, 95% CI [?39.7, ?18.6] mg/dl; p < 0.001), and FPG (MD: ?7.5, 95% CI [?13, ?1.9] mg/dl; p = 0.008). The present findings suggest that the coadministration of berberine and silymarin is associated with an advantageous improvement in lipid and glucose profile, suggesting the possible use of this nutraceutical combination in order to promote the cardiometabolic health.     

吴茱萸成分在大鼠肝微粒体对盐酸小檗碱代谢的影响

 目的 研究大鼠肝微粒体温孵系统中盐酸小檗碱代谢动力学以及吴茱萸中多种化学成分对其代谢的影响。方法 采用体外肝微粒体温孵法研究盐酸小檗碱代谢的酶动力学,分别考察了温孵时间、微粒体质量浓度以及底物浓度对盐酸小檗碱代谢速率的影响,并探讨吴茱萸中吴茱萸碱、吴茱萸次碱和吴茱萸内酯对其代谢的影响。结果 盐酸小檗碱在大鼠肝微粒体温孵系统中发生较强的代谢, 其在大鼠肝微粒体中37 ℃温孵0～60 min呈时间依赖的线性消除;当肝微粒体蛋白浓度在0.5～2.0 mg·mL-1,温孵时间为60 min时,盐酸小檗碱代谢速率表现出微粒体蛋白浓度依赖性增快;当底物盐酸小檗碱浓度大于10.0 μg·mL-1时,盐酸小檗碱的代谢速率不再随底物浓度的增加而增加,表现出明显的饱和特性。其表观酶促动力学参数,米氏常数Km为（2.41 ± 0.617) mg·mL-1,最大反应速度V_max为 (6.88±1.89) μg·g-1·min-1。吴茱萸碱、吴茱萸次碱和吴茱萸内酯均能显著抑制盐酸小檗碱的代谢,3个组分对盐酸小檗碱的代谢抑制常数K_i分别为 (140.85±16.48), (15.34±3.04)和(25.98±6.47) μmol·L -1,其中吴茱萸次碱和吴茱萸内酯的代谢抑制作用明显强于吴茱萸碱（P＜0.001）。结论 盐酸小檗碱在大鼠肝微粒体内被迅速代谢;吴茱萸中化学成分吴茱萸碱、吴茱萸次碱和吴茱萸内酯对盐酸小檗碱的代谢有抑制作用,此结果有可能对小檗碱体内药动学产生影响。     

Palmatine: A review of pharmacological properties and pharmacokinetics

The aim of this review is to collect together the results of the numerous studies over the last two decades on the pharmacological properties of palmatine published in scientific databases like Scopus and PubMed, which are scattered across different publications. Palmatine, an isoquinoline alkaloid from the class of protoberberines, is a yellow compound present in the extracts from different representatives of Berberidaceae, Papaveraceae, Ranunculaceae, and Menispermaceae. It has been extensively used in traditional medicine of Asia in the treatment of jaundice, liver‐related diseases, hypertension, inflammation, and dysentery. New findings describe its possible applications in the treatment of civilization diseases like central nervous system‐related problems. This review intends to let this alkaloid come out from the shade of a more frequently described alkaloid: berberine. The toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and biological activities of this protoberberine alkaloid will be developed in this work.     

黄连生物碱在大鼠体内的代谢转化及分布

目的:测定黄连生物碱在大鼠体内的药代动力学、组织分布,及药根碱、黄连碱、巴马汀、小檗碱4种生物碱在大鼠体内的转化。方法:大鼠分别灌胃黄连总碱、小檗碱,采用反相高效液相色谱法测定大鼠的血浆、组织、胃肠道中黄连4种生物碱的含量。结果:小檗碱在大鼠体内的血药浓度出现2个峰值,达峰时间分别2,5h,其中血药浓度分别为Cmax3.7,2.8mg.L-1;小檗碱在大鼠血液中可以转化为药根碱;给大鼠灌胃黄连总生物碱后,小檗碱在大鼠胃中的浓度单调下降,而黄连碱、巴马汀和药根碱逐渐增加,表明在大鼠的胃中小檗碱可转化为药根碱;小檗碱和巴马汀主要分布在动物的肺部,其次分布在肝脏中,而药根碱和黄连碱主要分布在动物的肝脏中,其次分布在肺部。结论:小檗碱可以转化为药根碱,根据胃肠道推进实验部分解释了小檗碱在血液中出现2次峰值的原因。     

小檗碱通过影响糖原结构调节肝糖代谢研究

目的探讨小檗碱调节糖原代谢的机制及对糖原结构的影响。方法采用自发型糖尿病模型db/db小鼠作为疾病模型鼠,考察小檗碱对db/db小鼠血糖水平的影响;提取小鼠的肝糖原进行体积排阻色谱(SEC)和透射电镜(TEM)分析,考察小檗碱对db/db小鼠肝糖原的结构影响,并探讨其影响机制。结果小檗碱可以显著性降低db/db小鼠的空腹血糖,降低db/db小鼠血清胰岛素水平;改善db/db小鼠肝糖原的结构不稳定性;降低db/db小鼠肝组织中糖原磷酸化酶(GP)、糖原脱分支酶(GDBE)和环磷酸腺苷(cAMP)表达水平,降低血清胰高血糖素水平。结论小檗碱可以调控cAMP/GP信号通路,改善db/db小鼠的肝糖原结构,修复受损糖原结构,这可能是其调节肝糖代谢,改善糖尿病症状的机制之一。     

Epilobium spp: Pharmacology and Phytochemistry

The Epilobium species and their extracts are very popular in folk medicine, for a wide range of applications. The purpose of this review is the analysis of the pharmacological properties of Epilobium spp, considering whether their effects (e.g., anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, antimicrobial, analgesic, and antiandrogenic) could rationally justify the use of Epilobium as a treatment of numerous diseases. Even if numerous preclinical studies have been reported, randomized controlled clinical trials (for the evaluation of safety and efficacy), and eventually cost‐effectiveness studies (to estimate the long‐term cumulative costs), are still needed to confirm the usefulness of these medicinal plants in human diseases.     

Carvacrol and human health: A comprehensive review

Carvacrol (CV) is a phenolic monoterpenoid found in essential oils of oregano (Origanum vulgare), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), pepperwort (Lepidium flavum), wild bergamot (Citrus aurantium bergamia), and other plants. Carvacrol possesses a wide range of bioactivities putatively useful for clinical applications such antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Carvacrol antimicrobial activity is higher than that of other volatile compounds present in essential oils due to the presence of the free hydroxyl group, hydrophobicity, and the phenol moiety. The present review illustrates the state‐of‐the‐art studies on the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties of CV. It is particularly effective against food‐borne pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Bacillus cereus. Carvacrol has high antioxidant activity and has been successfully used, mainly associated with thymol, as dietary phytoadditive to improve animal antioxidant status. The anticancer properties of CV have been reported in preclinical models of breast, liver, and lung carcinomas, acting on proapoptotic processes. Besides the interesting properties of CV and the toxicological profile becoming definite, to date, human trials on CV are still lacking, and this largely impedes any conclusions of clinical relevance.     

С�޼����������������о���չ

??Berberine belongs to the quaternary ammonium type isoquinoline alkaloid known as berberinum. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has long been used to treat infections of the gastrointestinal tract disease caused by bacteria.Recent studies found that berberine has a good anti-tumor effect,but it is difficult pass through the cell membrane due to its poor fat-soluble,which limit its clinical application. By modifing chemical structure,some researchers have investigated the relationship between activity effects and structures of berberine and its derivatives, and have found a series of anti-tumor activity enhanced berberine derivatives.In this review, the recent research progress of the anti-tumor effects and their mechanisms of berberine and its derivatives are focused, which may provide reference for the design and development of anticancer drugs based on the structure of berberine     

Berberine for prevention of dementia associated with diabetes and its comorbidities: A systematic review

BackgroundA growing number of epidemiological studies indicate that metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its associated features play a key role in the development of certain degenerative brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Produced by several different medicinal plants, berberine is a bioactive alkaloid with a wide range of pharmacological effects, including antidiabetic effects. However, it is not clear whether berberine could prevent the development of dementia in association with diabetes.ObjectiveTo give an overview of the therapeutic potential of berberine as a treatment for dementia associated with diabetes.Search strategyDatabase searches A and B were conducted using PubMed and ScienceDirect. In search A, studies on berberine’s antidementia activities were identified using “berberine” and “dementia” as search terms. In search B, recent studies on berberine’s effects on diabetes were surveyed using “berberine” and “diabetes” as search terms.Inclusion criteriaClinical and preclinical studies that investigated berberine’s effects associated with MetS and cognitive dysfunction were included.Data extraction and analysisData from studies were extracted by one author, and checked by a second; quality assessments were performed independently by two authors.ResultsIn search A, 61 articles were identified, and 22 original research articles were selected. In search B, 458 articles were identified, of which 101 were deemed relevant and selected. Three duplicates were removed, and a total of 120 articles were reviewed for this study. The results demonstrate that berberine exerts beneficial effects directly in the brain: enhancing cholinergic neurotransmission, improving cerebral blood flow, protecting neurons from inflammation, limiting hyperphosphorylation of tau and facilitating β-amyloid peptide clearance. In addition, evidence is growing that berberine is effective against diabetes and associated disorders, such as atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, hepatic steatosis, diabetic nephropathy, gut dysbiosis, retinopathy and neuropathy, suggesting indirect benefits for the prevention of dementia.ConclusionBerberine could impede the development of dementia via multiple mechanisms: preventing brain damages and enhancing cognition directly in the brain, and indirectly through alleviating risk factors such as metabolic dysfunction, and cardiovascular, kidney and liver diseases. This study provided evidence to support the value of berberine in the prevention of dementia associated with MetS.     

Berberine elicits anti‐arrhythmic effects via IK1/Kir2.1 in the rat type 2 diabetic myocardial infarction model

The purpose of this study was to explore the anti‐arrhythmic mechanisms of berberine in diabetic rats with myocardial infarction. Sixty rats were divided into four groups: (1) normal control; (2) myocardial infarction group (MI); (3) Type 2 diabetes with myocardial infarction group (T2DM+MI); and (4) Type 2 diabetic with myocardial infarction berberine‐treated group (BBR). Berberine (60 mg/kg/day) was administered after coronary artery ligation in the T2DM+MI group for 14 days. Currents were measured using whole‐cell patch‐clamp techniques. Western blot was performed for quantification of target proteins. The study showed that arrhythmias induced by myocardial infarction were aggravated in diabetic rats. Arrhythmia scores in the MI group were significantly higher than in the control group. Interestingly, the administration of berberine at a dose of 60 mg/kg/d recovered arrhythmia scores (P > 0.05). RMP (Resting membrane potential) which could be recovered by berberine (P < 0.05), was significantly reduced in both the infarction groups. I_K1 current and current density markedly decreased in the MI and T2DM+MI groups (P < 0.05) and could be reversed by berberine (P < 0.05). The relative expression of Kir2.1 in rats in the MI and T2DM+MI group were both significantly decreased (P < 0.05); berberine recovered depressed Kir2.1 to nearly normal levels. The results suggest that the effects of berberine on I_K1/Kir2.1 may be an important mechanism for producing anti‐arrhythmic effects. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Berberis vulgaris and its active constituent, berberine

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).     

盐酸小檗碱对芍药苷的经皮促透规律及促透机制研究

目的 考察盐酸小檗碱对芍药苷体外经皮渗透行为的影响，筛选最佳促透条件并探索促透机制。方法 采用改良Franz扩散池法，选择适宜的供给液及接收液，探索盐酸小檗碱促进芍药苷经皮渗透的最佳促透条件及促透规律；利用扫描电子显微镜、激光扫描共聚焦显微镜、分子模拟探究促透机制。结果 选择20%乙醇-pH 7.4磷酸盐缓冲液（PBS）为接收液，盐酸小檗碱-芍药苷在pH 5.0的介质条件下透皮效果最佳，且在此条件下，高、中、低质量浓度的芍药苷与盐酸小檗碱配伍后，芍药苷的24 h累积透过量（Q₂₄）分别增加了78.03%、44.73%、35.63%，其中高质量浓度配伍组中芍药苷的Q₂₄与芍药苷单独给药组相比具有显著性差异（P<0.05），芍药苷透皮速率显著增加，促透比为1.74。促透机制研究结果显示，盐酸小檗碱可能使角质层整齐紧密堆积排列的叠瓦式结构松动，表面的褶皱明显增多加深；盐酸小檗碱可促进水溶性成分荧光素钠和脂溶性成分尼罗红在皮肤中的渗透，相应皮肤渗透量及渗透深度均有所增加。盐酸小檗碱可竞争性地与角质层脂质的头部结合，使芍药苷摆脱皮肤脂质氢键网络的束缚，进而促进芍药苷的经皮吸收。结论 芍药苷-盐酸小檗碱透皮的最佳pH值为5.0，盐酸小檗碱可促进芍药苷的经皮吸收，且具有浓度依赖性，促透机制可能为盐酸小檗碱通过调控角质层紧密连接易化皮肤转运阻力、影响皮肤通透性及竞争性与角质层脂质的极性头部结合进而促进芍药苷经皮渗透。     

Identification of berberine as a novel agonist of fatty acid receptor GPR40

Several herbal plants such as Chinese herb Rhizoma Coptidis have been reported to possess antidiabetic activity. Berberine is its major active constituent and functions as an insulin sensitizer and insulin secretagogue. It has been reported to modulate several signaling pathways and targets. The objective of the current study is to investigate if berberine can function as a ligand of fatty acid receptor GPR40, which stimulates glucose dependent insulin secretion. Towards this objective, a mammalian cell line with stable overexpression of GPR40 was generated and characterized. Berberine stimulated calcium mobilization with an EC₅₀ of 0.76 μm in this GPR40 overexpressing cell line. Further, berberine stimulated glucose dependent insulin secretion from rat pancreatic beta cell line. This suggests that berberine functions as an agonist of fatty acid receptor GPR40 and might be a novel antidiabetic mechanism of action for berberine. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

小檗碱药理作用及其相关作用机制研究进展

小檗碱是许多中药的一种常见活性物质,数千年来被广泛应用于消化系统相关疾病。现代药理研究表明小檗碱在预防和保护代谢性疾病及主要脏器损伤等方面也具有显著的药理活性。因此,在前期文献研究的基础上,整理和总结了近年小檗碱在脏器损伤如神经损伤、肝脏损伤、肾脏损伤、生殖系统损伤、胃肠道损伤、心血管疾病以及代谢性疾病如阿尔茨海默症、糖尿病及相关并发症、炎症等疾病的保护作用及其相关机制,并针对亟需解决的的问题提出了建议,以期为小檗碱的临床安全使用和新药研发提供参考。     

左金方及其主要成分小檗碱对人胃癌细胞SGC7901上皮间质转化的影响

目的:研究左金方及其主要成分小檗碱对人胃癌细胞SGC7901上皮间质转化的影响。方法:制备左金方冻干粉,采用高效液相色谱法(HPLC),对比小檗碱对照品,明确左金方冻干粉的纯度和小檗碱含量;采用噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法检测左金方及小檗碱对SGC7901细胞生长影响,并确定后续实验给药浓度;划痕实验检测左金方及小檗碱对SGC7901细胞迁移能力的影响;细胞侵袭实验(transwell小室)检测左金方及小檗碱对SGC7901细胞侵袭能力的影响;采用蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测左金方及小檗碱作用SGC7901细胞24 h后对上皮间质转化(EMT)标志性蛋白上皮型钙黏蛋白(Ecadherin),神经型钙黏蛋白(N-cadherin)蛋白表达的影响。结果:制备的左金方冻干粉含9.85%的小檗碱;左金方、小檗碱对SGC7901细胞作用24 h的半数抑制浓度(IC_(50))分别为165,51.8 mg·L~(-1),选用165 mg·L~(-1)左金方(含小檗碱16.3 mg·L~(-1))与16.3 mg·L~(-1)小檗碱进行后续实验;左金方及小檗碱均能抑制SGC7901细胞划痕愈合及侵袭能力;Western blot结果显示,与空白组比较,左金方及小檗碱能明显上调E-cadherin表达,下调N-cadherin表达(P0.05)。结论:左金方及其主要成分小檗碱能抑制人胃癌细胞SGC7901的生长、侵袭及迁移,能抑制SGC7901细胞上皮间质转化,且小檗碱在复方中为其主要药效成分。