Multiple target and regulatory pathways of berberine

Abstract

Background

Berberine (BBR), a widely used monomer in traditional Chinese medicine, well-known for its extensive pharmacological activities against tumors, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular disease. These effects are mediated through the regulation of multiple molecular targets and signaling pathways, including the MAPK, TLR4/NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, and AMPK/mTOR. In addition, BBR demonstrate potent antimicrobial activity by reducing pathogen invasiveness, disrupting biofilms integrity, preventing the formation of macromolecules, and interfering with metabolic processes. More, BBR can modulate the gut microbiome and exhibit an effective treatment for metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus.

Purpose

The goal of this review is to present a current summary of the molecular processes that underlie BBR's action, discussing BBR interactions with novel factors, examining current knowledge on BBR side effect and nano-carrier applications, offering new perspective on expanding its therapeutic use. Further is required to identify novel targets of berberine and to investigate its potential for new therapeutic applications.

Methods

The review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data were organized into tabular and narrative formats. Structural formulae of compounds were created using ChemDraw Professional 22.0 software, while botanical information was sourced from the Flora of China (www.iplant.cn). The keyword "Berberine" was used to search databases, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, CNKI, and Web of Science, covering publications from 1970 to 2024. To ensure comprehensive data collection, additional searches were conducted using Connected Papers, Springer Search, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar, and other databases. Keywords such as "toxicology," "traditional uses," "molecular mechanism," "pharmacology," and "chemical compounds" were applied to further refine and analyze the collected information.

Results

Berberine exerts potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and therapeutic effects in cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, and tumor-related conditions by modulating key intracellular signaling pathways (e.g., AMPK/mTOR, PI3K/AKT, TLR4/NF-κB). It also impacts gut flora, offering new treatment avenues for gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, and related renal disorders. Despite its clinical efficacy, berberine’s low oral bioavailability and the complexity of its mechanisms and safety profile highlight the need for further research to fully unlock its therapeutic potential.

Conclusion

This study summarises the methods by which berberine heals a number of prevalent conditions and elaborates on the relationship between berberine and illnesses. Furthermore, it discusses the application of berberine nanofomulations in treating diseases. Future research on berberine should explore its potential in treating rare diseases, mental health disorders, immune conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer, while enhancing drug delivery systems and investigating its epigenetic effects.