Berberine (BBR), a traditional Chinese phytomedicine extracted from various parts of Berberis plants, is an isoquinoline alkaloid used for centuries to treat diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and so forth. It has recently received immense attention worldwide to treat cancer due to its potent pro-apoptotic, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory properties. BBR efficiently induces tumor apoptosis, replicative quiescence and abrogates cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, tumor neovascularization, and metastasis by modulating diverse molecular and cell signaling pathways. Furthermore, BBR could also reverse drug resistance, make tumor cells sensitive to current cancer treatment and significantly minimize the harmful side effects of cytotoxic therapies. This review comprehensively analyzed the pharmacological effects of BBR against the development, growth, progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance in wide varieties of cancer. Also, it critically discusses the significant limitations behind the development of BBR into pharmaceuticals to treat cancer and the future research directions to overcome these limitations.

Type 2 diabetes is a heterogeneous disorder involving impairment of both insulin secretion and insulin action. The immunological and haematological statuses during normal and diseased conditions have been studied. The study groups consisted of 220 patients (110 males, 110 females) and 220 age and sex matched control subjects (110 males, 110 females). The values of IgG, IgM, IgE and IgA were found to be significantly increased. Leucocyte count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were also found to be increased in the type 2 diabetics as compared to controls. The study suggests that variation in the levels of immunoglobulins and cell count may be involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Context: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory oral disease. The inflammatory cytokines that are released as a consequence of periodontal inflammation has wide spread systemic effects on glycemic control and lipid profile of healthy controls. Aim: The study aims to study the impact of chronic periodontitis (CP) on glycemic control and serum lipids in comparison with periodontal health. Materials and Methods: This study is designed as hospital-based cross-sectional study. Fifty healthy controls and 50 CP subjects were included in the study. Complete information about demographic variables, glycemic control, and serum lipid profile were collected. Statistical Analysis: Statistical expressions were determined using Student's t-test, Chi-square test, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: Serum lipid profile and glycated hemoglobin levels were abberated in CP. Conclusion: CP influences glycemic control and induces dyslipidemia in individuals who are otherwise healthy without any systemic illness.