Berberine improves negative symptoms and cognitive function in patients with chronic schizophrenia via anti-inflammatory effect: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background Based on the neuroinflammation hypothesis in schizophrenia and known anti-inflammatory effects of berberine, the aim of the present study is to investigate the efficacy of berberine in treating negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in adult patients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods Enrolled participants were randomized to receive berberine or placebo for 3 months. The Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), Trail-making Test A (TMT-A), Trail-making Test B (TMT-B), and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) were used to evaluate the negative symptoms and cognitive function at four-time points (baseline, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd month). Serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were used as inflammatory markers. 106 patients with per-protocol were analyzed, 56 in the experimental (berberine) group and 50 in the control (placebo) group. Results From baseline to month 3, patients receiving berberine demonstrated a decrease in total scores on clinical scales SANS, TMT-A and TMT-B and showed a serum level reduction of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α comparing with patients in the control group (P < 0.05). There were positive correlations between the change of serum IL-1β level and the change of SANS (r = 0.210, P = 0.039), TMT-A (r = 0.522, P < 0.001), and TMT-B (r = 0.811, P < 0.001); between the change of serum IL-6 level and the change of TMT-A (r = 0.562, P < 0.001), and TMT-B (r = 0.664, P < 0.001); between the change of serum TNF-α level and the change of TMT-B (r = 0.472, P < 0.001) after berberine treatment. Conclusions Berberine is an anti-inflammatory agent that can potentially mitigate the negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia.

Berberine as a new neuraminidase inhibitor drug: A systematic review

“…Berberine as a potent antioxidant improves diabetes and protects against nephropathy and other metabolic syndrome-associated kidney diseases (33)(34)(35). The antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory effects of berberine cause a decrease in the negative symptoms in neuropathic patients (36,37). Studies have shown that berberine has also a potent effect on lung damage and other pulmonary inflammations (38)(39)(40).…”

The Role of Natural Products from Herbal Medicine in TLR4 Signaling for Colorectal Cancer Treatment

“…Additionally, immune regulation involving PD-1/PDL-1 and TLR4/NF-κB is associated with baicalin’s ability to alleviate hepatocellular carcinoma, UC, and CRC [ 130 ]. Berberine, a key compound found in medicinal plants like Coptis chinensis (Huanglian) or Cortex phellodendri (Huangbo), has demonstrated safety and efficacy in reducing CRC recurrence and inhibiting its progression [ 139 ]. Berberine also enhances beneficial short-chain fatty acids, reduces fecal LPS content, upregulates intestinal barrier biomarkers, and inhibits the TLR4/NF-κB P65/IL-6/p-STAT3 pathway.…”