Berberine alleviates myocardial diastolic dysfunction by modulating Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission and Ca2+ homeostasis in a murine model of HFpEF / 医学前沿

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) displays normal or near-normal left ventricular ejection fraction, diastolic dysfunction, cardiac hypertrophy, and poor exercise capacity. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, possesses cardiovascular benefits. Adult male mice were assigned to chow or high-fat diet with L-NAME ("two-hit" model) for 15 weeks. Diastolic function was assessed using echocardiography and noninvasive Doppler technique. Myocardial morphology, mitochondrial ultrastructure, and cardiomyocyte mechanical properties were evaluated. Proteomics analysis, autophagic flux, and intracellular Ca2+ were also assessed in chow and HFpEF mice. The results show exercise intolerance and cardiac diastolic dysfunction in "two-hit"-induced HFpEF model, in which unfavorable geometric changes such as increased cell size, interstitial fibrosis, and mitochondrial swelling occurred in the myocardium. Diastolic dysfunction was indicated by the elevated E value, mitral E/A ratio, and E/e' ratio, decreased e' value and maximal velocity of re-lengthening (-dL/dt), and prolonged re-lengthening in HFpEF mice. The effects of these processes were alleviated by berberine. Moreover, berberine ameliorated autophagic flux, alleviated Drp1 mitochondrial localization, mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and fragmentation, and promoted intracellular Ca2+ reuptake into sarcoplasmic reticulum by regulating phospholamban and SERCA2a. Finally, berberine alleviated diastolic dysfunction in "two-hit" diet-induced HFpEF model possibly because of the promotion of autophagic flux, inhibition of mitochondrial fragmentation, and cytosolic Ca2+ overload.

Anti-obesity and Gut Microbiota Modulation Effect of Astragalus Polysaccharides Combined with Berberine on High-Fat Diet-Fed Obese Mice / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate whether astragalus polysaccharides (APS) combined with berberine (BBR) can reduce high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice.@*METHODS@#Except for normal mice, 32 HFD-induced obese mice were randomized into HFD, APS (1,000 mg/kg APS), BBR (200 mg/kg BBR), and APS plus BBR (1,000 mg/kg APS plus 200 mg/kg BBR) groups, respectively. After 6-week treatment (once daily by gavage), the obesity phenotype and pharmacodynamic effects were evaluated by histopathological examination of epididymal fat, liver, and colon using hematoxylin-eosin staining and serum biochemical analyses by an automated chemistry analyzer. The feces were collected at the 12 th week, and taxonomic and functional profiles of gut microbiota were analyzed by 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (16S rRNA) sequencing.@*RESULTS@#Compared with HFD group, the average body weight of APS plus BBR group was decreased (P<0.01), accompanied with the reduced fat accumulation, enhanced colonic integrity, insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Importantly, APS combined with BBR treatment was more effective than APS or BBR alone in improving HFD-induced insulin resistance (P<0.05 or P<0.01). 16S rRNA sequence-based analysis of fecal samples demonstrated that APS combined with BBR treatment exhibited a better impact on HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, exclusively via the enriched abundances of Bacteroides, which corresponded to the large increase of predicted bacterial genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism.@*CONCLUSION@#APS combined with BBR may synergistically reduce obesity and modulate the gut microbiota in HFD-fed mice.

Berberine targets the electron transport chain complex I and reveals the landscape of OXPHOS dependency in acute myeloid leukemia with IDH1 mutation / 中国天然药物

Metabolic reprogramming, a newly recognized trait of tumor biology, is an intensively studied prospect for oncology medicines. For numerous tumors and cancer cell subpopulations, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is essential for their biosynthetic and bioenergetic functions. Cancer cells with mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) exhibit differentiation arrest, epigenetic and transcriptional reprogramming, and sensitivity to mitochondrial OXPHOS inhibitors. In this study, we report that berberine, which is widely used in China to treat intestinal infections, acted solely at the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complex I, and that its association with IDH1 mutant inhibitor (IDH1mi) AG-120 decreased mitochondrial activity and enhanced antileukemic effect in vitro andin vivo. Our study gives a scientific rationale for the therapy of IDH1 mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients using combinatory mitochondrial targeted medicines, particularly those who are resistant to or relapsing from IDH1mi.

Efficacy and safety of triple therapy containing berberine, amoxicillin, and vonoprazan for Helicobacter pylori initial treatment: A randomized controlled trial / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

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.

Therapeutic effect of ursodeoxycholic acid-berberine supramolecular nanoparticles on ulcerative colitis based on supramolecular system induced by weak bond / 中国中药杂志

Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a recurrent, intractable inflammatory bowel disease. Coptidis Rhizoma and Bovis Calculus, serving as heat-clearing and toxin-removing drugs, have long been used in the treatment of UC. Berberine(BBR) and ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA), the main active components of Coptidis Rhizoma and Bovis Calculus, respectively, were employed to obtain UDCA-BBR supramolecular nanoparticles by stimulated co-decocting process for enhancing the therapeutic effect on UC. As revealed by the characterization of supramolecular nanoparticles by field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM) and dynamic light scattering(DLS), the supramolecular nanoparticles were tetrahedral nanoparticles with an average particle size of 180 nm. The molecular structure was described by ultraviolet spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and hydrogen-nuclear magnetic resonance(H-NMR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the formation of the supramolecular nano-particle was attributed to the mutual electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic interaction between BBR and UDCA. Additionally, supramolecular nanoparticles were also characterized by sustained release and pH sensitivity. The acute UC model was induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) in mice. It was found that supramolecular nanoparticles could effectively improve body mass reduction and colon shortening in mice with UC(P<0.001) and decrease disease activity index(DAI)(P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences between the supramolecular nanoparticles group and the mechanical mixture group(P<0.001, P<0.05). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6), and the results showed that supramolecular nanoparticles could reduce serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels(P<0.001) and exhibited an obvious difference with the mechanical mixture group(P<0.01, P<0.05). Flow cytometry indicated that supramolecular nanoparticles could reduce the recruitment of neutrophils in the lamina propria of the colon(P<0.05), which was significantly different from the mechanical mixture group(P<0.05). These findings suggested that as compared with the mechanical mixture, the supramolecular nanoparticles could effectively improve the symptoms of acute UC in mice. The study provides a new research idea for the poor absorption of small molecules and the unsatisfactory therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine and lays a foundation for the research on the nano-drug delivery system of traditional Chinese medicine.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of four alkaloids in Ermiao Pills and Sanmiao Pills in normal and arthritic model rats / 中国中药杂志

This work aimed to investigate the differences of pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of four alkaloids in Ermiao Pills and Sanmiao Pills in normal and arthritic model rats. The rat model of arthritis was established by injecting Freund's complete adjuvant, and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS) in the positive ion multiple reaction monitoring(MRM) mode was used for the determination of four alkaloids in plasma and tissues of normal and arthritic rats after administration of Ermiao Pills and Sanmiao Pills, respectively. The differences in pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of the four active components were compared, and the effect of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix on the major components of Sanmiao Pills was explored. This study established an UPLC-MS/MS for simultaneous determination of four alkaloids, and the specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and stability of this method all met the requirements. Pharmacokinetics study found that as compared with normal rats, the AUC and C_(max) of phellodendrine, magnoflorine, berberine and palmatine in model rats were significantly decreased after administration of Ermiao Pills, the clearance rate CL/F was significantly increased, and the distribution and tissue/plasma concentration ratio of the four alkaloids in the liver, kidney, and joint were significantly reduced. Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix increased the AUC of phellodendrine, berberine, and palmatine, reduced the clearance rate, and significantly increased the distribution of the four alkaloids in the liver, kidney, and joints in arthritic rats. However, it had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of the four alkaloids in normal rats. These results suggest that Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix may play a guiding role in meridian through increasing the tissue distribution of effective components in Sanmiao Pills under arthritis states.

The mechanism of berberine on Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in vitro / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To explore the impact of traditional Chinese medicine berberine (BBR) on membrane integrity and permeability of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the change of bacterial cell wall structure, laying a foundation for the clinical application of berberine in antibacterial. Methods: This study used a non-randomized concurrent controlled trial. The 3 MRSA strains were isolated and cultured from lower respiratory tract samples of geriatric patients from Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital between 2019 and 2020.The Meirier VETEK MS fully automated rapid microbial mass spectrometry detection system and VETEK 2 Compact fully automated microbial identification instrument were used to identify bacterial drug sensitivity experiments to detect bacterial species and drug sensitivity. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of BBR on MRSA strains was determined by broth microdilution. This study used conductivity tests to assess the changes in membrane permeability in response to different concentration of BBR on MRSA, while also investigating the changes in MRSA morphology by transmission electron microscopy. GraphPad Prism5 was used to analyze the differences in the electrical conductivity experimental results. Results: The MIC of BBR on MRSA was 64 μg/ml. After co-culturing MRSA with BBR for 4 h at 8 μg/ml, 16 μg/ml, 32 μg/ml, 64 μg/ml and 128 μg/ml, respectively, the electrical conductivity increased, compared with the control group, by 24.49%,34.59%,208.92%,196.40% and 208.68%, respectively. By transmission electron microscopy, This study found that low concentration of BBR (8 μg/ml,1/8 MIC) caused no significant damage to MRSA, and the bacterial structure of MRSA remained intact. The cell wall of MRSA became thinner after treatment with berberine at medium concentration (64 μg/ml,1 MIC), while high concentration of BBR (512 μg/ml,8 MIC) induced the destruction and dissolution of MRSA cell wall structure and the leakage of bacterial contents, leading to bacterial lysis. Conclusion: Berberine can kill bacteria by altering the permeability of MRSA cell membrane and destroying and dissolving the structure of the cell wall.

Berberine might block colorectal carcinogenesis by inhibiting the regulation of B-cell function by Veillonella parvula / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Colorectal carcinogenesis and progression are related to the gut microbiota and the tumor immune microenvironment. Our previous clinical trial demonstrated that berberine (BBR) hydrochloride might reduce the recurrence and canceration of colorectal adenoma (CRA). The present study aimed to further explore the mechanism of BBR in preventing colorectal cancer (CRC).@*METHODS@#We performed metagenomics sequencing on fecal specimens obtained from the BBR intervention trial, and the differential bacteria before and after medication were validated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We further performed ApcMin/+ animal intervention tests, RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.@*RESULTS@#The abundance of fecal Veillonella parvula ( V . parvula ) decreased significantly after BBR administration ( P = 0.0016) and increased through the development from CRA to CRC. Patients with CRC with a higher V. parvula abundance had worse tumor staging and a higher lymph node metastasis rate. The intestinal immune pathway of Immunoglobulin A production was activated, and the expression of TNFSF13B (Tumor necrosis factor superfamily 13b, encoding B lymphocyte stimulator [BLyS]), the representative gene of this pathway, and the genes encoding its receptors (interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor beta) were significantly upregulated. Animal experiments revealed that V. parvula promoted colorectal carcinogenesis and increased BLyS levels, while BBR reversed this effect.@*CONCLUSION@#BBR might inhibit V. parvula and further weaken the immunomodulatory effect of B cells induced by V. parvula , thereby blocking the development of colorectal tumors.@*TRIAL REGISTRAION@#ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT02226185.

Quality evaluation of Compound Cheqian Tablets based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, network pharmacology and "double external standards" QAMS / 中国中药杂志

The Compound Cheqian Tablets are derived from Cheqian Power in Comprehensive Recording of Divine Assistance, and they are made by modern technology with the combination of Plantago asiatica and Coptis chinensis. To investigate the material basis of Compound Cheqian Tablets in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, in this study, the chemical components of Compound Cheqian Tablets were characterized and analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, and a total of 48 chemical components were identified. The identified chemical compounds were analyzed by network pharmacology. By validating with previous literature, six bioactive compounds including acteoside, isoacteoside, coptisine, magnoflorine, palmatine, and berberine were confirmed as the index components for qua-lity evaluation. Furthermore, the content of the six components in the Compound Cheqian Tablets was determined by the "double external standards" quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS), and the relative correction factor of isoacteoside was calculated as 1.118 by using acteoside as the control; the relative correction factors of magnoflorine, palmatine, and berberine were calculated as 0.729, 1.065, and 1.126, respectively, by using coptisine as the control, indicating that the established method had excellent stability under different conditions. The results obtained by the "double external standards" QAMS approximated those obtained by the external standard method. This study qualitatively characterized the chemical components in the Compound Cheqian Tablets by applying UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and screened the pharmacodynamic substance basis for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy via network pharmacology, and primary pharmacodynamic substance groups were quantitatively analyzed by the "double external stan-dards" QAMS method, which provided a scientific basis for clarifying the pharmacodynamic substance basis and quality control of Compound Cheqian Tablets.

Composition and morphology of Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma decoction co-precipitate and effect on in vivo behavior of decocting liquid / 中国中药杂志

Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma(SR-CR) herbal pair is commonly used in many compound prescriptions for their synergistic heat-clearing and dampness-drying properties. During the decoction process, a substantial amount of precipitate is generated. However, there have been no explicit reports on the composition, morphology, and potential effects of this precipitate on the in vivo behavior of SR-CR decoction. This study employed high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), high-resolution mass spectrometry, and other techniques to analyze the composition of the co-precipitate in the decoction of SR-CR. Scanning electron microscopy and mass spectrometry imaging were used to analyze its appearance and morphology. Additionally, rats were used to investigate the effects of the co-precipitate on the in vivo behavior of the main components in the SR-CR decoction. The research findings indicated that eight components, including coptisine, berberine, epiberberine, palmatine, baicalin, oroxylin A-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, wogonoside and baicalein, constituted the primary composition of the co-precipitate. Among these, baicalin and berberine hydrochloride were the most abundant, accounting for about 60% of the total weight. Moreover, the co-precipitate contained 18% tannins. Morphological analysis revealed that the particles in the SR-CR decoction precipitate were spherical microparticles with an average diameter of around 600 nm. Pharmacokinetic research demonstrated that there were significant differences in the AUC, C_(max), t_(1/2), and T_(max) of baicalin, a major component, in rats administered with lyophilized powders of the combined decoction and single decoctions of SR-CR orally, suggesting that the precipitate generated during the decoction process can affect the in vivo behavior of the main components of the SR-CR decoction. It can reduce the absorption of baicalin in the body, decrease the extent of rapid drug release, and to a certain extent, prevent adverse reactions or side effects.

Optimization of extraction process for classic prescription Yihuang Decoction based on Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology, standard relation, and analytic hierarchy process combined with entropy weight method / 中国中药杂志

Based on the concept of quality by design(QbD), the Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology combined with standard relation(SR) and analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-entropy weight method(EWM) was applied to optimize the extraction process of the classic prescription Yihuang Decoction. The content of geniposidic acid, phellodendrine hydrochloride, and berberine hydrochloride in Yihuang Decoction, the extract yield, and fingerprint similarity were used as the critical quality attributes(CQAs) of the extraction process. The extraction time, water addition, and extraction times were used as the critical process parameters(CPPs). After determining the levels of each factor and level through single-factor experiments, response surface experiments were designed according to the Box-Behnken principle, and the experimental results were analyzed. The SR between each sample and the reference sample under various evaluation indicators of different extraction parameters was calculated. The weights of the five evaluation indicators were determined using AHP-EWM, followed by comprehensive evaluation. A function model between CPPs and CQAs characterized by comprehensive scores was established to predict the optimal extraction process parameters. In the final comprehensive weight coefficients, the yield rate accounted for 43.1%, and the content of berberine hydrochloride, phellodendrine hydrochloride, and geniposidic acid accounted for 35.1%, 6.3%, and 15.5%, respectively. After comprehensive score analysis with SR, the established second-order polynomial model was statistically significant(P<0.01, and the lack of fit was not significant). The predicted optimal extraction conditions for Yihuang Decoction were determined as follows: 8-fold volume of water, extraction time of 1.5 h, and extraction once. The mean comprehensive score of the validation experiment was 85.77, with an RSD of 0.99%, and it met the quality control stan-dards for the reference sample of Yihuang Decoction. The results indicate that the optimized extraction process for Yihuang Decoction is stable and reliable, and the water extract is close in quality attributes to the reference sample. This can serve as a foundation for the research and development of granules in the future. Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology combined with SR and AHP-EWM can provide references for the modern extraction process research of other classic prescriptions.

Excretion of three alkaloids from Simiao Pills in urine, feces, and bile between normal and type 2 diabetic rats / 中国中药杂志

This study investigated the differences in excretion kinetics of three alkaloids and their four metabolites from Simiao Pills in normal and type 2 diabetic rats. The diabetes model was established in rats by injection of streptozotocin, and the alkaloids in urine, feces, and bile of normal and diabetic rats were detected by LC-MS/MS to explore the effect of diabetes on alkaloid excretion of Simiao Pills. The results showed that 72 h after intragastric administration of the extract of Simiao Pills, feces were the main excretion route of alkaloids from Simiao Pills. The total excretion rates of magnoflorine and berberine in normal rats were 4.87% and 56.54%, which decreased to 2.35% and 35.53% in diabetic rats, which had statistical significance(P<0.05). The total excretion rates of phellodendrine, magnoflorine, and berberine in the urine of diabetic rats decreased significantly, which were 53.57%, 60.84%, and 52.78% of those in normal rats, respectively. After 12 h of intragastric administration, the excretion rate of berberine in the bile of diabetic rats increased significantly, which was 253.33% of that of normal rats. In the condition of diabetes, the excretion rate of berberine metabolite, thalifendine significantly decreased in urine and feces, but significantly increased in bile. The total excretion rates of jateorrhizine and palmatine in the urine increased significantly, and t_(1/2) and K_e changed significantly. The results showed that diabetes affected the in vivo process of alkaloids from Simiao Pills, reducing their excretion in the form of prototype drug, affecting the biotransformation of berberine, and ultimately increasing the exposure of alkaloids in vivo, which would be conducive to the hypoglycemic effect of alkaloids. This study provides references for the clinical application and drug development of Simiao Pills in diabetes.

Preparation of berberine-naringin dual drug-loaded composite microspheres and evaluation of their antibacterial-osteogenic properties / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To develop a drug-loaded composite microsphere that can simultaneously release the berberine (BBR) and naringin (NG) to repair infectious bone defects.@*METHODS@#The NG was loaded on mesoporous microspheres (MBG) to obtain the drug-loaded microspheres (NG-MBG). Then the dual drug-loaded compound microspheres (NG-MBG@PDA-BBR) were obtained by wrapping NG-MBG with polydopamine (PDA) and modifying the coated PDA with BBR. The composite microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, specific surface area and pore volume analyzer, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; the drug loading rate and release of NG and BBR were measured; the colony number was counted and the bacterial inhibition rate was calculated after co-culture with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli for 12 hours to observe the antibacterial effect; the biocompatibility was evaluated by live/dead cell fluorescence staining and cell counting kit 8 assay after co-culture with rat's BMSCs for 24 and 72 hours, respectively, and the osteogenic property was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining after 7 and 14 days, respectively.@*RESULTS@#NG-MBG@PDA-BBR and three control microspheres (MBG, MBG@PDA, and NG-MBG@PDA) were successfully constructed. Scanning electron microscopy showed that NG-MBG@PDA-BBR had a rough lamellar structure, while MBG had a smooth surface, and MBG@PDA and NG-MBG@PDA had a wrapped agglomeration structure. Specific surface area analysis showed that MBG had a mesoporous structure and had drug-loading potential. Low angle X-ray diffraction showed that NG was successfully loaded on MBG. The X-ray diffraction pattern contrast showed that all groups of microspheres were amorphous. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that NG and BBR peaks existed in NG-MBG@PDA-BBR. NG-MBG@PDA-BBR had good sustained drug release ability, and NG and BBR had early burst release and late sustained release. NG-MBG@PDA-BBR could inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and the antibacterial ability was significantly higher than that of MBG, MBG@PDA, and NG-MBG@PDA ( P<0.05). But there was a significant difference in biocompatibility at 72 hours among microspheres ( P<0.05). ALP and alizarin red staining showed that the ALP positive area and the number of calcium nodules in NG-MBG@PDA-BBR were significantly higher than those of MBG and NG-MBG ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between NG-MBG@PDA and NG-MBG@PDA ( P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#NG-MBG@PDA-BBR have sustained release effects on NG and BBR, indicating that it has ideal dual performance of osteogenesis and antibacterial property.

The mechanism of berberine on Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in vitro / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To explore the impact of traditional Chinese medicine berberine (BBR) on membrane integrity and permeability of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the change of bacterial cell wall structure, laying a foundation for the clinical application of berberine in antibacterial. Methods: This study used a non-randomized concurrent controlled trial. The 3 MRSA strains were isolated and cultured from lower respiratory tract samples of geriatric patients from Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital between 2019 and 2020.The Meirier VETEK MS fully automated rapid microbial mass spectrometry detection system and VETEK 2 Compact fully automated microbial identification instrument were used to identify bacterial drug sensitivity experiments to detect bacterial species and drug sensitivity. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of BBR on MRSA strains was determined by broth microdilution. This study used conductivity tests to assess the changes in membrane permeability in response to different concentration of BBR on MRSA, while also investigating the changes in MRSA morphology by transmission electron microscopy. GraphPad Prism5 was used to analyze the differences in the electrical conductivity experimental results. Results: The MIC of BBR on MRSA was 64 μg/ml. After co-culturing MRSA with BBR for 4 h at 8 μg/ml, 16 μg/ml, 32 μg/ml, 64 μg/ml and 128 μg/ml, respectively, the electrical conductivity increased, compared with the control group, by 24.49%,34.59%,208.92%,196.40% and 208.68%, respectively. By transmission electron microscopy, This study found that low concentration of BBR (8 μg/ml,1/8 MIC) caused no significant damage to MRSA, and the bacterial structure of MRSA remained intact. The cell wall of MRSA became thinner after treatment with berberine at medium concentration (64 μg/ml,1 MIC), while high concentration of BBR (512 μg/ml,8 MIC) induced the destruction and dissolution of MRSA cell wall structure and the leakage of bacterial contents, leading to bacterial lysis. Conclusion: Berberine can kill bacteria by altering the permeability of MRSA cell membrane and destroying and dissolving the structure of the cell wall.

Berberine inhibits autophagy and promotes apoptosis of fibroblast-like synovial cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients through the ROS/mTOR signaling pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the regulatory effect of berberine on autophagy and apoptosis balance of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) from patients with in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and explore the mechanism.@*METHODS@#The inhibitory effect of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 μmol/L berberine on RA-FLS proliferation was assessed using CCK-8 method. Annexin V/PI and JC-1 immunofluorescence staining was used to analyze the effect of berberine (30 μmol/L) on apoptosis of 25 ng/mL TNF-α- induced RA-FLSs, and Western blotting was performed to detect the changes in the expression levels of autophagy- and apoptosis-related proteins. The cells were further treated with the autophagy inducer RAPA and the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine to observe the changes in autophagic flow by laser confocal detection of mCherry-EGFP-LC3B. RA-FLSs were treated with the reactive oxygen species (ROS) mimic H2O2 or the ROS inhibitor NAC, and the effects of berberine on ROS, mTOR and p-mTOR levels were observed.@*RESULTS@#The results of CCK-8 assay showed that berberine significantly inhibited the proliferation of RA-FLSs in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Flow cytometry and JC-1 staining showed that berberine (30 μmol/L) significantly increased apoptosis rate (P < 0.01) and reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential of RA-FLSs (P < 0.05). Berberine treatment obviously decreased the ratios of Bcl-2/Bax (P < 0.05) and LC3B-II/I (P < 0.01) and increased the expression of p62 protein in the cells (P < 0.05). Detection of mCherry-EGFP-LC3B autophagy flow revealed obvious autophagy flow block in berberine-treated RA-FLSs. Berberine significantly reduced the level of ROS in TNF-α-induced RA-FLSs and upregulated the expression level of autophagy-related protein p-mTOR (P < 0.01); this effect was regulated by ROS level, and the combined use of RAPA significantly reduced the pro-apoptotic effect of berberine in RA-FLSs (P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Berberine can inhibit autophagy and promote apoptosis of RA-FLSs by regulating the ROS-mTOR pathway.

Berberine alleviates programmed necrosis of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease via activating Nrf2 pathway in mice / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To investigate the effect of berberine on programmed necrosis of hepatocytes induced by metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in mice and its related molecular mechanism. Methods: Twenty male C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=5 in each group): control group (S), fatty liver group (H), berberine group(B), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 inhibitor group (Nrf2), and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) group (A). Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) concentrations were detected at the end of week 12 to calculate fatty liver index (liver mass/body mass ratio). Liver tissue was stained with HE, Masson and Oil Red O, and SAF score was used to evaluate the degree of liver injury. The expression levels of hepatic programmed necrosis-related proteins, namely receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), phosphorylated mixed series protease-like domain (p-MLKL) and Nrf2 were detected by Western blot method. One-way ANOVA was used for intragroup comparisons and LSD-t tests were used for intergroup comparisons. Results: Compared with S group, H group serum ALT, AST, LDH, TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-1β levels and fatty liver index were significantly increased. The liver tissue was filled with vacuolar-like changes and inflammatory cell infiltration. Numerous red lipid droplets were observed with oil red O staining. Collagen fiber hyperplasia was evident with Masson staining. SAF scores (6.60 ± 0.55 and 0.80 ± 0.45) were significantly increased. The expressions of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were up-regulated. Nrf2 level was relatively increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with H group, berberine intervention group liver biochemical indexes, lipid levels, pro-inflammatory mediator expression, fatty liver index, and SAF score were significantly reduced, and the expression of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were down-regulated, while Nrf2 levels were further increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with B group, treatment with Nrf2 inhibitor had antagonized the protective effect of berberine on fatty liver. Serum ALT, AST, LDH, TG, TC and TNF-α, IL-1β levels, fatty liver index, and SAF scores were significantly increased and the expressions of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were relatively increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Berberine can significantly improve the metabolic-associated fatty liver disease injury in mice, and its mechanism is related to activation of Nrf2 and inhibition of programmed necrosis of hepatocytes.

Green-synthetized selenium nanoparticles using berberine as a promising anticancer agent / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#The chemo-preventative and therapeutic properties of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have been documented over recent decades and suggest the potential uses of SeNPs in medicine. Biogenic SeNPs have higher biocompatibility and stability than chemically synthesized nanoparticles, which enhances their medical applications, especially in the field of cancer therapy. This study evaluated the potential of green-synthetized SeNPs by using berberine (Ber) as an antitumor agent and elucidated the mechanism by which these molecules combat Ehrlich solid tumors (ESTs).@*METHODS@#SeNPs containing Ber (SeNPs-Ber) were synthesized using Ber and Na@*RESULTS@#Treatment with SeNPs-Ber significantly improved the survival rate and decreased the body weight and tumor size, compared to the EST group. SeNPs-Ber reduced oxidative stress in tumor tissue, as indicated by a decrease in the lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels and an increase in the glutathione levels. Moreover, SeNPs-Ber activated an apoptotic cascade in the tumor cells by downregulating the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression rate and upregulating the Bcl-2-associated X protein and caspase-3 expression rates. SeNPs-Ber also considerably improved the histopathological alterations in the developed tumor tissue, compared to the EST group.@*CONCLUSION@#Our study provides a new insight into the potential role of green-synthesized SeNPs by using Ber as a promising anticancer agent, these molecules could be used alone or as supplementary medication during chemotherapy.

Experimental study on the regulation of subchondral bone plate osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand system by berberine to retard the development of osteoarthritis in rabbits / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of intra-articular berberine injection on the structural remodeling of subchondral bone plate and osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand(OPG/RANKL) system expression in rabbits with osteoarthritis(OA).@*METHODS@#Forty 12-month-old male rabbits with an average of(2.73±0.18) kg of body weight, underwent left anterior cruciate ligament transection(ACLT), and were divided into berberine group and placebo groups after operation, 20 rabbits in each group. The berberine group received intra-articular injection of 100 μmol/L berberine 0.3 ml every week for 6 weeks. In placebo group, the same dose of 0.9% sodium chloride injection was injected into the left knee joint cavity every week for 6 weeks. Another 20 12-month-old male rabbits, weighing (2.68±0.18) kg, underwent sham operation on the left knee joint without intra-articular injection intervention (sham operation group). On the last day of the sixth week after operation, three groups of animals were sacrificed to obtain knee joint specimens. The femoral medial condyle samples were obtained for histological evaluation of cartilage and subchondral bone, Mankin scoring system was used to evaluate articular cartilage structure. Image-Pro Plus(IPP) software was used to evaluate subchondral bone plate bone volume(BV), bone volume/total volume(BV/TV), trabecular circumference(TC), mean trabecular thickness (Tb.Th). Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerization Enzyme chain reaction(reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of OPG and RANKL in subchondral bone tissue at 6 weeks after operation.@*RESULTS@#The cartilage structure evaluation showed that the surface of cartilage tissue in the sham operation group was smooth and flat, and the safranin coloration was full in the full thickness of the cartilage;the cartilage tissue in the berberine group showed uneven surface layer, and the staining of safranin O was mildly decreased;the surface layer fibrosis was seen in placebo group, Safranin O faded significantly. The Mankin score in the berberine group was lower than that in placebo group(P<0.01), but higher than that in sham operation group(P<0.01). The structural evaluation of subchondral bone plate showed that the trabecular bone in sham-operated group was densely arranged;after berberine intervention, the trabeculae were closely arranged;the subchondral bone trabeculae in placebo group were relatively sparse, and the distance between trabeculae was wider. Subchondral bone plate IPP software evaluation showed that BV, BV/TV, TC, Tb.Th in berberine group were higher than those in placebo group(P<0.01), BV, BV/TV, TC, Tb.Th in berberine group were higher than those in placebo group(P<0.01), while lower than the sham operation group (P<0.01). PCR test results showed that the expression of OPG mRNA in the berberine group was significantly higher than that in placebo group(P<0.01), and OPG mRNA in the berberine group was lower than that in sham operation group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in mRNA expression of RANKL among three groups(P>0.05);the ratio of OPG/RANKL in berberine group was higher than that in placebo group(P<0.01), but lower than that in sham operation group(P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Intra-articular injection of berberine can effectively inhibit the resorption of subchondral bone in the early stage of OA and delay the development of the disease. The specific mechanism may be that berberine maintains the balance of OPG/RANKL system by up-regulating the expression of OPG gene in subchondral bone.

Berberine inhibits erastin-induced ferroptosis of mouse hippocampal neuronal cells possibly by activating the Nrf2-HO-1/GPX4 pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanism by which berberine inhibits ferroptosis of mouse hippocampal neuronal cells (HT22).@*METHODS@#Cultured HT22 cells were pretreated with 30 or 60 μmol/L berberine for 2 h before exposure to 0.5 μmol/L erastin for 8 h, and the cell proliferation, intracellular ferric iron level, changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell apoptosis were detected using CCK-8, Fe2+ fluorescent probe, fluorescent dye (DAPI) and fluorescent probe (H2DCFH-DA). RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2, HO-1 and GPX4 in the cells. We further tested the effects of treatments with 2 μmol/L ML385 (a Nrf2 inhibitor), 60 μmol/L berberine and erastin in the cells to explore the protective mechanism of berberine against erastin-induced ferroptosis in the neuronal cells.@*RESULTS@#Treatment with 0.5 μmol/L erastin significantly lowered the viability of HT22 cells (P < 0.05) and increased the production of ROS, cell apoptosis rate and ferric iron level (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with 30 and 60 μmol/L berberine both significantly increased the vitality of erastin-exposed cells (P < 0.05) and lowered the levels of intracellular ROS and ferric iron content (P < 0.05). RT-qPCR and Western blotting showed that berberine obviously promoted the expressions of Nrf2, HO-1 and GPX4 in the cells (P < 0.05), and treatment with ML385 significantly inhibited the Nrf2-HO-1/GPX4 pathway, increased intracellular ROS and ferric iron contents and mitigated the protective effect of berberine against erastin-induced ferroptosis (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Berberine can inhibit erastin-induced ferroptosis in HT22 cells possibly by activating the Nrf2-HO-1/ GPX4 pathway.

Research progress of effect of berberine in treatment of ulcerative colitis based on cell signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

Berberine is the main extract of Coptis chinensis, and its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects have been confirmed by modern studies. Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a chronic, idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease with unknown etiology. Its causes involve genetics, intestinal microecology and mucosal immune system disorders. In this paper, literatures on relevant pathways and mechanism of berberine on ulcerative colitis in recent years were consulted and summarized to provide me-thods and ideas for developing berberine in the treatment of UC and exploring the mechanisms. The results showed that berberine protects the intestinal mucosal barrier, restores the body's normal immune response, and improves oxidative stress by regulating multiple signaling pathways, such as JAK-STAT, NK-κB, PI3 K-AKT, MAPK, Nrf2, ERS, and MLCK-MLC, so as to treat UC.