Progress in pharmacological effects and clinical applications of berberine / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

ABSTRACT

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Rhizoma Coptidis and Cortex Phellodendri,which has a long medical history in China.Recent studies have indicated that berberine has multiple pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory,anti-microorganisms,anti-cancer,cardiac protection,glucose lowering,regulating lipid metabolism and immune suppression.Berberine has been used for the treatment of intestinal infectious diseases for many years.With the continuous progress of the research,it is reported that berberine has many new clinical applications,including treatment of the cardiovascular disease,metabolic syndrome and its complications,cancers,abdominal adhesions and chlamydia trachomatis infection.This review is intended to introduce the role of berberine in various aspects of pharmacological effects,molecular mechanisms and clinical applications.