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Liu X, Wang L, Tan S, Chen Z, Wu B, Wu X. Therapeutic Effects of Berberine on Liver Fibrosis are associated With Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal Flora. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:814871. [PMID: 35308208 PMCID: PMC8924518 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.814871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis is a form of liver fibrosis resulting from chronic hepatitis caused by various liver diseases, such as viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver damage, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, autoimmune liver disease, and by parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis. Liver fibrosis is the common pathological base and precursors of cirrhosis. Inflammation and disorders of lipid metabolism are key drivers in liver fibrosis. Studies have determined that parts of the arachidonic acid pathway, such as its metabolic enzymes and biologically active products, are hallmarks of inflammation, and that aberrant peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)-mediated regulation causes disorders of lipid metabolism. However, despite the ongoing research focus on delineating the mechanisms of liver fibrosis that underpin various chronic liver diseases, effective clinical treatments have yet to be developed. Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid with multiple biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. Many studies have also found that BBR acts via multiple pathways to alleviate liver fibrosis. Furthermore, the absorption of BBR is increased by nitroreductase-containing intestinal flora, and is strengthened via crosstalk with bile acid metabolism. This improves the oral bioavailability of BBR, thereby enhancing its clinical utility. The production of butyrate by intestinal anaerobic bacteria is dramatically increased by BBR, thereby amplifying butyrate-mediated alleviation of liver fibrosis. In this review, we discuss the effects of BBR on liver fibrosis and lipid metabolism, particularly the metabolism of arachidonic acid, and highlight the potential mechanisms by which BBR relieves liver fibrosis through lipid metabolism related and intestinal flora related pathways. We hope that this review will provide insights on the BBR-based treatment of liver cirrhosis and related research in this area, and we encourage further studies that increase the ability of BBR to enhance liver health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianzhi Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
| | - Lifu Wang
- KingMed School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siwei Tan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
| | - Zebin Chen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoying Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
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Berberine chloride suppresses non-small cell lung cancer by deregulating Sin3A/TOP2B pathway in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2020; 86:151-161. [PMID: 32607786 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-020-04050-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Berberine chloride (BBC) is a well-known plant isoquinoline alkaloid derived from Berberis aristata. In this study, we aim to explore the effect of BBC on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and further expound the underlying mechanism of BBC induces NSCLC cell death in vitro and in vivo. METHODS CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay were used to test the viability and colony formation ability of NSCLC cells. Apoptosis analysis was used to analyze the apoptotic cells. siRNAs were utilized to disturb the expression of Sin3A. qPCR and Western blot analysis were employed to determine mRNA and protein levels of related genes and proteins. Tumor xenografts model was used for in vivo detection. RESULTS BBC inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of human NSCLC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, BBC induced DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) through downregulating TOP2B level, leading to apoptosis in human NSCLC cells. The Chip-seq data of A549 cells obtained from the ENCODE consortium indicate that Sin3A binds on the promoters of TOP2B. Knockdown of Sin3A led to downregulation of TOP2B in human NSCLC cells. Furthermore, BBC decreased Sin3A expression and shortened the half-life of Sin3A, results in downregulation of TOP2B in human NSCLC cells. CONCLUSION In this study, we demonstrated a new mechanism that BBC suppresses human NSCLC by deregulating Sin3A/TOP2B pathway, leading to DNA damage and apoptosis in human NSCLC in vitro and in vivo.
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Boye A, Yang Y, Asenso J, Wei W. Anti-fibro-hepatocarcinogenic Chinese herbal medicines: A mechanistic overview. JOURNAL OF COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE RESEARCH 2016; 5:278-89. [PMID: 27366355 PMCID: PMC4927134 DOI: 10.5455/jice.20160530032814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is an integral component of complementary/alternative medicine and it is increasingly becoming the preferred therapeutic modality for the treatment of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Accordingly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has attested to the popularity and efficacy of indigenous herbal therapies including CHM as a first line of treatment for some diseases including liver disorders. However, the WHO and drug discovery experts have always recommended that use of indigenous herbal remedies must go hand-in-hand with the requisite mechanistic elucidation so as to constitute a system of verification of efficacy within the ethnobotanical context of use. Although many CHM experts have advanced knowledge on CHM, nonetheless, more enlightenment is needed, particularly mechanisms of action of CHMs on fibro-hepato-carcinogenesis. We, herein, provide in-depth mechanisms of the action of CHMs which have demonstrated anti-fibro-hepatocarcinogenic effects, in pre-clinical and clinical studies as published in PubMed and other major scientific databases. Specifically, the review brings out the important signaling pathways, and their downstream targets which are modulated at multi-level by various anti-fibro-hepatocarcinogenic CHMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Boye
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Natural Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Natural Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - James Asenso
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Berberine Inhibition of Fibrogenesis in a Rat Model of Liver Fibrosis and in Hepatic Stellate Cells. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2016; 2016:8762345. [PMID: 27239214 PMCID: PMC4867075 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8762345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Aim. To examine the effect of berberine (BBR) on liver fibrosis and its possible mechanisms through direct effects on hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Methods. The antifibrotic effect of BBR was determined in a rat model of bile duct ligation- (BDL-) induced liver fibrosis. Multiple cellular and molecular approaches were introduced to examine the effects of BBR on HSC. Results. BBR potently inhibited hepatic fibrosis induced by BDL in rats. It exhibited cytotoxicity to activated HSC at doses nontoxic to hepatocytes. High doses of BBR induced apoptosis of activated HSC, which was mediated by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and Bcl-2/Bax imbalance. Low doses of BBR suppressed activation of HSC as evidenced by the inhibition of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and cell motility. BBR did not affect Smad2/3 phosphorylation but significantly activated 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling, which was responsible for the transcriptional inhibition by BBR of profibrogenic factors α-SMA and collagen in HSC. Conclusion. BBR is a promising agent for treating liver fibrosis through multiple mechanisms, at least partially by directly targeting HSC and by inhibiting the AMPK pathway. Its value as an antifibrotic drug in patients with liver disease deserves further investigation.
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Feng Y, Cheung KF, Wang N, Liu P, Nagamatsu T, Tong Y. Chinese medicines as a resource for liver fibrosis treatment. Chin Med 2009; 4:16. [PMID: 19695098 PMCID: PMC3224967 DOI: 10.1186/1749-8546-4-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2009] [Accepted: 08/20/2009] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a condition of abnormal proliferation of connective tissue due to various types of chronic liver injury often caused by viral infection and chemicals. Effective therapies against liver fibrosis are still limited. In this review, we focus on research on Chinese medicines against liver fibrosis in three categories, namely pure compounds, composite formulae and combination treatment using single compounds with composite formulae or conventional medicines. Action mechanisms of the anti-fibrosis Chinese medicines, clinical application, herbal adverse events and quality control are also reviewed. Evidence indicates that some Chinese medicines are clinically effective on liver fibrosis. Strict quality control such as research to identify and monitor the manufacturing of Chinese medicines enables reliable pharmacological, clinical and in-depth mechanism studies. Further experiments and clinical trials should be carried out on the platforms that conform to international standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, PR China.
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