Can Berberine Reduce Inflammation?

Research Analysis by Consensus

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Introduction

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid derived from various plants, has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties. Recent research has focused on its potential anti-inflammatory effects, exploring its mechanisms and efficacy in various models of inflammation.

Key Insights

Reduction of Proinflammatory Cytokines:
- Berberine significantly reduces levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF, IL-1β, and IFN-γ in various models, including colonic macrophages and epithelial cells in DSS-treated mice, and MSU crystal-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages .
Inhibition of NF-κB Pathway:
- Berberine suppresses the NF-κB activation pathway, which is crucial for inflammation. This includes inhibition of IκBα kinase (IKK) activation, leading to reduced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65, and suppression of NF-κB-regulated gene products .
COX-2 and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) Reduction:
- Berberine reduces COX-2 protein levels and PGE2 production, which are key mediators of inflammation, in both in vitro and in vivo models.
Macrophage Polarization:
- Berberine promotes M2 macrophage polarization, which is associated with anti-inflammatory responses, and reduces M1 macrophage markers, thereby alleviating chronic inflammation in obesity-induced models.
Antioxidant Pathways:
- Berberine activates the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, leading to the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes and suppression of oxidative stress, which contributes to its anti-inflammatory effects.
Gut Microbiota Modulation:
- Berberine improves inflammation and metabolic syndrome by modulating gut microbiota composition, which in turn affects inflammatory responses and liver fat metabolism.
Glucocorticoid Receptor Interaction:
- Berberine binds to glucocorticoid receptors, inducing anti-inflammatory effects without the typical side effects associated with glucocorticoid therapy.

Conclusion

Berberine exhibits significant anti-inflammatory properties through multiple mechanisms, including the reduction of proinflammatory cytokines, inhibition of the NF-κB pathway, reduction of COX-2 and PGE2 levels, promotion of M2 macrophage polarization, activation of antioxidant pathways, modulation of gut microbiota, and interaction with glucocorticoid receptors. These findings suggest that berberine could be a promising therapeutic agent for various inflammatory conditions.

Research Analysis by Consensus

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Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

The anti-inflammatory potential of berberine in vitro and in vivo.

Berberine promotes recovery of colitis and inhibits inflammatory responses in colonic macrophages and epithelial cells in DSS-treated mice.

A comparative study on the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antipyretic effects of isoquinoline alkaloids from the roots of Turkish Berberis species.

Advances in the study of berberine and its derivatives: a focus on anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects in the digestive system

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid suppresses TXNIP mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in MSU crystal stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages through the upregulation of Nrf2 transcription factor and alleviates MSU crystal induced inflammation in rats

Berberis crataegina DC. root exhibits potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic and febrifuge effects in mice and rats.

Berberine Relieves Metabolic Syndrome in Mice by Inhibiting Liver Inflammation Caused by a High-Fat Diet and Potential Association With Gut Microbiota

Berberine modifies cysteine 179 of IkappaBalpha kinase, suppresses nuclear factor-kappaB-regulated antiapoptotic gene products, and potentiates apoptosis.

Berberine ameliorates obesity-induced chronic inflammation through suppression of ER stress and promotion of macrophage M2 polarization at least partly via downregulating lncRNA Gomafu.

Glucocorticoid receptor-mediated alleviation of inflammation by berberine: in vitro, in silico and in vivo investigations.

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