Berber

Alkaloid (isoquinoline derivative) which can be found in the root of the common mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium).

Berberine is the efficacy determining ingredient of Radix and Cortex mahoniae.

Furthermore, the alkaloid is found in the Jamaican worm bark, in the bark of Xanthoxylum clava Herculis L. (Fam. Xanthoxyleae) according to Perrins, in Podophyllum peltatum, in the West African Abeocouta bark, in the roots of Hydrastis canadensis L. and in the Ceylon Colombo wood.

Berberine is used in numerous countries in various indications. Its effects are described as antidiarrhoeic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoal (Chen C et al. 2014). Berberine is demethylated and glucuronidated in the body via cytochrome P450 and excreted via the bile and intestinal tract.

Berberine inhibits calmodulin and thereby regulates the supracellular activities of psoriasis.

In detail, the following indications have been described:

Use in neurological diseases: The excessive production of reactive oxygen species in neurogenic tissues is one of the most important pathogenetic factors in neurodegenerative diseases. Therapeutic potential of berberine is seen in various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.

Antimicrobial activity: Berberine has antiseptic activity against bacteria and amoebae. The substance shows weak antibiotic effects acts against Helicobacter pylori. Furthermore, an antiviral effect (e.g. against hepatitis B viruses) is detectable.

Antiabetic effect: Berberine increases the expression of the insulin receptor on the surface of cells. This reduces the level of glucose in the blood. The mechanism is fundamentally different in nature from that of metformin or rosiglitazone.

Antitumor activity: Experimentally, berberine shows anti-neoplastic potential against various tumor cell lines. Berberine has an apoptotic effect.

Antiphlogistic effect: Berberine deactivates enzymes such as N-acetyltransferase, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and topoisomerases. Berberine acts as a free radical scavenger.

Cardiac effects: Berberine has antiarrhythmic effects by specifically blocking potassium channels.

Lipid metabolism: Berberine lowers blood cholesterol levels. The substance is considered efficient in the treatment of hyperlipidemia; combination with simvastatin has an additive effect compared to monotherapy and is possible (Dong H et al. 2013).

Antipsoriatic effect: berberine has an antipsoriatic effect (see psoriasis below). The benzylisoquinoline alkaloids berbamine and oxyacanthin, also found in Mahoniae cortex and radix, appear to have stronger antipsoriatic activity (the total extract is contained in Rubisan® cream and ointment, for example).

1. Ahmed T et al,(2015) Berberine and neurodegeneration: A review of literature. Pharmacol Rep 67:970-979.
2. Chen C et al(2014)Effects of berberine in the gastrointestinal tract - a review of actions and therapeutic implications. On J Chin Med 42:1053-1070.
3. Dong H et al (2013) The effects of berberine on blood lipids: a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Planta Med 79:437-446.
4. Kulkarni SK et al (2010) Berberine: a plant alkaloid with therapeutic potential for central nervous system disorders. Phytother Res 24: 317-324
5. Kumar A et al (2015) Current knowledge and pharmacological profile of berberine: An update. Eur J Pharmacol 761:288-297.
6. Kuo C. L. et al (2004) The anti-inflammatory potential of berberine in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Lett 203: 127-137
7. Singh IP et al (2013) Berberine and its derivatives: a patent review (2009 - 2012). Expert Opinion Ther Pat 23:215-231.
8. Stermitz FR et al (2000) Synergy in a medicinal plant: Antimicrobial action of berberine potentiated by 5′-methoxyhydnocarpine, a multidrug pump inhibitor. PNAS 97: 1433-1437