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On day 8 after ligation of the common bile duct in rats a significant increase in the serum content of total lipids, cholesterol, bilirubin and ALT, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma glutamyltransferase was observed. In the hepatic microsomal fraction there was a marked decrease in the content and activity of microsomal monooxygenases. Introperitoneal injections of berberine (10 mg/kg) for 6 days caused a partial normalization of hepatocyte plasma permeability and activity of microsomal flavin containing monooxyge nases. It is suggested that berberine is a substrate and inducer of flavin containing monooxygenases. The membrane stabilizing effect of berberine is probably realized at the level of inhibition of the prooxidant status of liver cells.

We have studied the effect of berberine on the recovery processes of liver xenobiotic-metabolizing function during its compensatory growth after 70% partial hepatectomy. It was found the hepatic ability to metabolize foreign substances are not restored up to day 8. Administration of berberine (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally) for 6 days led to normalization of both cytochrome P450-dependent and flavin-containing monooxygenases. It is suggested that in the biotransformation of berberine involved not only cytochrome P450, but also flavin-containing monooxygenases.

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