The present study aims to investigate the effects of the main components(aesculin, berberine hydrochloride, and anemoside B4) in the butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng Decoction(BAEB) on the chemotaxis of neutrophils induced by dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO). HL60 cells were cultivated in RPMI-1640 complete medium, and transferred into a 6-well plate(2 × 10~5 per mL) with 4 mL in each well, followed by incubation with DMSO at 1.3% for five days. The morphologic changes of cells were observed under an inverted microscope. The CD11 b expression after DMSO induction was analyzed by flow cytometry. The effects of aesculin, berberine hydrochloride, and anemoside B4 on the cell proliferation and migration were detected by CCK8 assay and Transwell assay, respectively. The effects of the main components on the production and polarization of F-actin protein were also examined by flow cytometry and laser confocal microscopy. PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway was checked by Western blot. As revealed by the results, neutrophil-like HL60 cells were observed after DMSO induction. The CD11 b expression in these cells increased significantly as indicated by the flow cytometry. Additionally, 100 μg·mL~(-1) aesculin, 8 μg·mL~(-1) berberine hydrochloride, and 80 μg·mL~(-1) anemoside B4 were potent in inhibiting the migration of neutrophils and reducing F-actin expression. Berberine hydrochloride was verified to be capable of diminishing phosphorylated PI3 K/Akt protein expression. The findings indicate that aesculin, anemoside B4, and especially berberine hydrochloride in the BAEB can inhibit the chemotaxis of neutrophils, which is possibly achieved by the inhibition of F-actin and PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway.
1-Butanol ; Berberine/pharmacology* ; Chemotaxis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Neutrophils

OBJECTIVE: To develop a drug-loaded composite microsphere that can simultaneously release the berberine (BBR) and naringin (NG) to repair infectious bone defects. METHODS: The NG was loaded on mesoporous microspheres (MBG) to obtain the drug-loaded microspheres (NG-MBG). Then the dual drug-loaded compound microspheres (NG-MBG@PDA-BBR) were obtained by wrapping NG-MBG with polydopamine (PDA) and modifying the coated PDA with BBR. The composite microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, specific surface area and pore volume analyzer, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; the drug loading rate and release of NG and BBR were measured; the colony number was counted and the bacterial inhibition rate was calculated after co-culture with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli for 12 hours to observe the antibacterial effect; the biocompatibility was evaluated by live/dead cell fluorescence staining and cell counting kit 8 assay after co-culture with rat's BMSCs for 24 and 72 hours, respectively, and the osteogenic property was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining after 7 and 14 days, respectively. RESULTS: NG-MBG@PDA-BBR and three control microspheres (MBG, MBG@PDA, and NG-MBG@PDA) were successfully constructed. Scanning electron microscopy showed that NG-MBG@PDA-BBR had a rough lamellar structure, while MBG had a smooth surface, and MBG@PDA and NG-MBG@PDA had a wrapped agglomeration structure. Specific surface area analysis showed that MBG had a mesoporous structure and had drug-loading potential. Low angle X-ray diffraction showed that NG was successfully loaded on MBG. The X-ray diffraction pattern contrast showed that all groups of microspheres were amorphous. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that NG and BBR peaks existed in NG-MBG@PDA-BBR. NG-MBG@PDA-BBR had good sustained drug release ability, and NG and BBR had early burst release and late sustained release. NG-MBG@PDA-BBR could inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and the antibacterial ability was significantly higher than that of MBG, MBG@PDA, and NG-MBG@PDA ( P<0.05). But there was a significant difference in biocompatibility at 72 hours among microspheres ( P<0.05). ALP and alizarin red staining showed that the ALP positive area and the number of calcium nodules in NG-MBG@PDA-BBR were significantly higher than those of MBG and NG-MBG ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between NG-MBG@PDA and NG-MBG@PDA ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION NG-MBG@PDA-BBR have sustained release effects on NG and BBR, indicating that it has ideal dual performance of osteogenesis and antibacterial property.
Rats ; Animals ; Osteogenesis ; Delayed-Action Preparations/pharmacology* ; Microspheres ; Berberine/pharmacology* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Escherichia coli

OBJECTIVETo observe the impact on absorption of berberine and palmatine in different compatibilities of Wuji pill by the perfused rat intestine-liver preparation.

METHODUse L9 (3(4)) orthogonal design table, establish the perfused rat intestine-liver preparation, the twelve Wuji pill compatibilities duodenal administrated, collect the perfusate at different times points for LC-MS detection, calculate the absorbed score, Ka.

RESULTEvodiae Fructus and the absorption score, Ka of berberine and palmatine are inverse correlated. The most superior portion which promote the absorption is Coptidis Rhizoma-Evodiae Fructus-Paeoniae Radix Alba 3:1:3.

CONCLUSIONEvodiae Fructus suppressed the absorption of berberine and palmatine. With the different portion the absorption also have big different.

Animals ; Berberine ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Berberine Alkaloids ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Evodia ; chemistry ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of tetrahydropalmatine, dehydrocorydaline, berberine and palmatine on anoxia and peroxidation injuries in cardiomyocytes, and study the marterial basis of the anti-ischemia effect on myocardium of Rhizoma Corydalis.

METHODNeonatal rat cardiomyocytes were cultured in vitro, and subjected to an anoxia-reoxia and the hydrogen peroxide injury models. The four compounds were added into the culture medium. The cell viability was measured by MTT method to determine the safe concentrations and the anti-hydrogen peroxide injury effects of the compounds. The LDH activity in culture mediums was measured with the enzyme reaction dynamics-monitoring method to value the anti-anoxia injury effects of the compounds.

RESULTAt most up to 500 mg x L(-1), tetrahydropalmatine showed no sinificant effect on the cell viability, while dehydrocorydaline, berberine and palmatine significantly decreased the cell viability, exceeding 6.3, 0.6 and 6.3 mg x L(-1), respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Tetrahydropalmatine, dehydrocorydaline, berberine and palmatine significantly inhibited LDH leakage induced by anoxia-reoxia injury, at concentrations of 50-100, 1.25-5, 4 and 30 mg x L(-1), respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). None of the four compounds showed significant effect on the hydrogen peroxide injury.

CONCLUSIONThe anti-ischemia effect in myocardium of Rhizoma Corydalis is related to the direct protective effects on cardiomyocytes of its components, tetrahydropalmatine, dehydrocorydaline, berberine and palmatine, amomg which tetrahydropalmatine and dehydrocorydaline are the most important, the former with high safety and low efficacy, while the latter with low safety and high efficacy. And the direct protective effects on cardiomyocytes of these four components may be attained through mechanisms other than anti-peroxidation.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; Berberine Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Cell Hypoxia ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of berberine hydrochloride on the cell wall integrity of Candida albicans hypha. The minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) of berberine hydrochloride against clinical and standard C. albicans strains was detected by micro liquid-based dilution method; the effect of berberine hydrochloride on the colony formation of C. albicans SC5314 was investigated by spot assay; the effect of berberine hydrochloride on the metabolism of C. albicans SC5314 hypha was checked by XTT reduction assay, and the viability of C. albicans SC5314 hypha was tested by fluorescent staining assay. The effect of berberine hydrochloride on the morphology of C. albicans SC5314 hypha was examined by scanning electron microscope. The changes in the cell wall of C. albicans SC5314 hypha after berberine hydrochloride treatment were detected by transmission electron microscopy. The effect of berberine hydrochloride on β-glucan from C. albicans SC5314 was detected by flow cytometry. The effect of berberine hydrochloride on hypha-specific gene ECE1 and β-glucan synthase genes FKS1 and FKS2 in C. albicans was examined by qRT-PCR. The results showed that berberine hydrochloride showed a strong inhibitory effect on both clinical and standard strains of C. albicans, and the MIC was 64-128 μg·mL~(-1). Spot assay, XTT redunction assay and fluorescent staining assay showed that with the increase of berberine hydrochloride concentration, the viability of C. albicans SC5314 gradually decreased. The transmission electron microscopy scanning assay showed that this compound could cause cell wall damage of C. albicans. The flow cytometry analysis showed the exposure degree of C. albicans β-glucan. The qRT-PCR further showed that berberine hydrochloride could significantly down-regulate hypha-specific gene ECE1 and β-glucan synthase-related gene FKS1 and FKS2. In conclusion, this compound can down-regulate C. albicans and β-glucan synthase-related gene expressions, so as to destroy the cell wall structure of C. albicans, expose β-glucan and damage the integrity of the wall.
Antifungal Agents/pharmacology* ; Berberine/pharmacology* ; Candida albicans/genetics* ; Cell Wall ; Hyphae ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

Objective: To explore the impact of traditional Chinese medicine berberine (BBR) on membrane integrity and permeability of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the change of bacterial cell wall structure, laying a foundation for the clinical application of berberine in antibacterial. Methods: This study used a non-randomized concurrent controlled trial. The 3 MRSA strains were isolated and cultured from lower respiratory tract samples of geriatric patients from Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital between 2019 and 2020.The Meirier VETEK MS fully automated rapid microbial mass spectrometry detection system and VETEK 2 Compact fully automated microbial identification instrument were used to identify bacterial drug sensitivity experiments to detect bacterial species and drug sensitivity. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of BBR on MRSA strains was determined by broth microdilution. This study used conductivity tests to assess the changes in membrane permeability in response to different concentration of BBR on MRSA, while also investigating the changes in MRSA morphology by transmission electron microscopy. GraphPad Prism5 was used to analyze the differences in the electrical conductivity experimental results. Results: The MIC of BBR on MRSA was 64 μg/ml. After co-culturing MRSA with BBR for 4 h at 8 μg/ml, 16 μg/ml, 32 μg/ml, 64 μg/ml and 128 μg/ml, respectively, the electrical conductivity increased, compared with the control group, by 24.49%,34.59%,208.92%,196.40% and 208.68%, respectively. By transmission electron microscopy, This study found that low concentration of BBR (8 μg/ml,1/8 MIC) caused no significant damage to MRSA, and the bacterial structure of MRSA remained intact. The cell wall of MRSA became thinner after treatment with berberine at medium concentration (64 μg/ml,1 MIC), while high concentration of BBR (512 μg/ml,8 MIC) induced the destruction and dissolution of MRSA cell wall structure and the leakage of bacterial contents, leading to bacterial lysis. Conclusion: Berberine can kill bacteria by altering the permeability of MRSA cell membrane and destroying and dissolving the structure of the cell wall.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Berberine/pharmacology* ; China ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Cell Membrane ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

Objective: To explore the impact of traditional Chinese medicine berberine (BBR) on membrane integrity and permeability of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the change of bacterial cell wall structure, laying a foundation for the clinical application of berberine in antibacterial. Methods: This study used a non-randomized concurrent controlled trial. The 3 MRSA strains were isolated and cultured from lower respiratory tract samples of geriatric patients from Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital between 2019 and 2020.The Meirier VETEK MS fully automated rapid microbial mass spectrometry detection system and VETEK 2 Compact fully automated microbial identification instrument were used to identify bacterial drug sensitivity experiments to detect bacterial species and drug sensitivity. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of BBR on MRSA strains was determined by broth microdilution. This study used conductivity tests to assess the changes in membrane permeability in response to different concentration of BBR on MRSA, while also investigating the changes in MRSA morphology by transmission electron microscopy. GraphPad Prism5 was used to analyze the differences in the electrical conductivity experimental results. Results: The MIC of BBR on MRSA was 64 μg/ml. After co-culturing MRSA with BBR for 4 h at 8 μg/ml, 16 μg/ml, 32 μg/ml, 64 μg/ml and 128 μg/ml, respectively, the electrical conductivity increased, compared with the control group, by 24.49%,34.59%,208.92%,196.40% and 208.68%, respectively. By transmission electron microscopy, This study found that low concentration of BBR (8 μg/ml,1/8 MIC) caused no significant damage to MRSA, and the bacterial structure of MRSA remained intact. The cell wall of MRSA became thinner after treatment with berberine at medium concentration (64 μg/ml,1 MIC), while high concentration of BBR (512 μg/ml,8 MIC) induced the destruction and dissolution of MRSA cell wall structure and the leakage of bacterial contents, leading to bacterial lysis. Conclusion: Berberine can kill bacteria by altering the permeability of MRSA cell membrane and destroying and dissolving the structure of the cell wall.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Berberine/pharmacology* ; China ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Cell Membrane ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

To investigate the hypoglycemic effects of baicalin, berberine, puerarin and liquiritin on the insulin resistance (IR) cells. The IR model of HepG2 cells was established by treatment with insulin and dexamethasone for 48 h. Glucose uptake, glycogen content and cell viability were detected with different concentrations of baicalin, berberine, puerarin, liquiritin in IR-HepG2 cells. Compared with IR model group, all of intervened groups significantly increased the glucose consumption, except for liquiritin groups and 1 μmol·L⁻¹ baicalin group. Moreover, 10, 20, 50 μmol·L⁻¹ baicalin, 5, 10, 20, 50 μmol·L⁻¹ berberine and 40, 80, 160 μmol·L⁻¹ puerarin significantly elevated glycogen content in IR-HepG2 cells. Liquiritin did not show obvious hypoglycemic effect. Compared with normal group, the mRNA expression levels of GLUT1 and GLUT4 were decreased in IR-HepG2 cells according to qPCR results. 5, 20 μmol·L⁻¹ berberine decreased the mRNA expression level of GLUT1 in IR-HepG2 cells, whereas 20, 40, 80 μmol·L⁻¹ puerarin significantly elevated the mRNA expression level of GLUT1. Moreover, 10, 20, 50 μmol·L⁻¹ baicalin and 20 μmol·L⁻¹ berberine increased the mRNA expression level of GLUT4. Whereas, 40, 80 μmol·L⁻¹ puerarin decreased the mRNA expression level of GLUT4. Western blot results suggested that 10, 20, 50 μmol·L⁻¹ baicalin significantly increased the protein expressions of GLUT2 and GLUT4, whereas 20, 40, 80 μmol·L⁻¹ puerarin significantly up-regulated GLUT1 and GLUT2 proteins. In addition, 20 μmol·L⁻¹ berberine increased the protein expressions of GLUT2 and GLUT4, whereas 10 μmol·L⁻¹ berberine up-regulated GLUT4 expression. The results preliminarily suggested that baicalin, berberine and puerarin have differentiated hypoglycemic effects, which accelerate glucose transport, increase glycogen synthesis, regulate glucose metabolism and improve hepatic IR.
Berberine ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) on hemolysis and antioxidant system of normal mice and its impact on the functions, while evaluating the oxidation reduction property of CR and berberine.

METHODIn the whole animal experiment, normal mice were orally administered with CR at the dose of 1.2 g x kg(-1) for three days. Their blood were collected to detect the hemoglobin in plasma, the content of serum bilirubin, the number of peripheral blood reticulocytes, the T-AOC in whole blood, measure the contents of glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) of RBC membrane, determine the activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase, fluidity, and observe its impact on the liquidity and deformability of RBCs. According to the electrical and biochemical experiment, the voltammetric behaviors of CR and berberine on glassy carbon electrode were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry. In the RBC in vitro experiment, the impact of Coptidis Rhizoma on autoxidation hemolysis rate of RBCs of normal mice was observed.

RESULTThere was no significant effect on hemoglobin, serum bilirubin, and reticulocyte count in normal mice administrated with CR at the dose of 1.2 g x kg(-1), and so is on RBC membrane SOD, G6PD, MDA, GSH and whole blood T-AOC activity. In addition, CR had also no significant effect on Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase activity, and no notable impact on the fluidity and deformability of RBCs. There were two oxidation peaks at -0.27 V and 0.60 V induced by CR and one oxidation peak induced by berberine at 0.56 V, with no reduction peak at fly-back. CR could significantly inhibit oxidative hemolysis in RBCs at the dose of 0.125-2 g x L(-1) in vitro.

CONCLUSIONThe normal dose of Coptidis Rhizoma can not cause hemolysis of RBC, and also can not change antioxidant system and functions of RBC, CR and berberine show antioxidant (reducing) properties.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Hemolysis ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice

Berberine is the main extract of Coptis chinensis, and its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects have been confirmed by modern studies. Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a chronic, idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease with unknown etiology. Its causes involve genetics, intestinal microecology and mucosal immune system disorders. In this paper, literatures on relevant pathways and mechanism of berberine on ulcerative colitis in recent years were consulted and summarized to provide me-thods and ideas for developing berberine in the treatment of UC and exploring the mechanisms. The results showed that berberine protects the intestinal mucosal barrier, restores the body's normal immune response, and improves oxidative stress by regulating multiple signaling pathways, such as JAK-STAT, NK-κB, PI3 K-AKT, MAPK, Nrf2, ERS, and MLCK-MLC, so as to treat UC.
Berberine/pharmacology* ; Colitis ; Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics* ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; Signal Transduction