Neuropharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of berberine: a review of recent research

Abstract

Objectives This review summarizes recent research on the neuropharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Coptidis rhizoma. Key findings Berberine has multiple neuropharmacological properties, such as neuroprection, anti-neuronal apoptosis, improvement of cerebral microcirculation and antiAlzheimer's disease, and so on. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of berberine are that it is not easily absorbed and it is not stable in the gastrointestinal tract of animals or humans. Summary Further studies need to be carried out to develop berberine as a drug for nervous system diseases, such as brain ischaemia and Alzheimer's disease, that has favorable pharmacokinetic properties.

Evaluation of <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> anti-arthritic potential of <i>Berberis calliobotrys</i>

“…Thus, histopathological findings have revealed the antiarthritic effect of B. calliobotrys by inhibiting the inflammatory response which might be due to its blocking action on proinflammatory cytokines and cyclooxygenase enzyme (Ivanovska et al, 1999;Chatterjee and Pal, 1984). Berberine (an isoquinoline alkaloid) is a pharmacologically potent constituent found in numerous plants of the genus Berberis and Coptis (Ye et al, 2009). Berberine has been shown to exert immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory effects by suppressesing Th17 and dendritic cell responses in several autoimmune diseases (Yang et al, 2013).…”

Evaluation of Antiurolithic Activity of Alcoholic Extract of Roots of Cissampelos Pareira in Albino Rats

“…It is often employed for menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhoea, excessive bleeding and uterine hemorrhages, fibroid tumours, pre and post natal pain, colic, constipation, poor digestion and dyspepsia. Some scientific studies revealed its antinociceptive [4], antiarthritic [4], cardiotonic [5], anticancer [6], anti-inflammatory [7], antidiarrheal [8], anti-hemorrhagic, antifertility [9], antioxidant, neuroprotective [10], hepatoprotective [11], antioxidant [12], immunomodulatory [12], anti trypanosomal activities. The major constituents of roots of C.pareira include [13] Pelosin, O-methylcurine, l-curine Cissamine, Cissampareine, Hyatin, Bebeerine, Cycleanine, Tetrandine and Beriberine, Cissampeline, Cissampoline, Dicentrine, Insularine, Pareirine, Hyatinine, Pareirubrine A, Pareirubrine B, Pareitropone, Norimeluteine, Cissampeloflavone, D-Quercitol and Grandirubrine [13].…”

Diuretic activity of aqueous extract of roots of &lt;i&gt;Cissampelos pareira&lt;/i&gt; in albino rats

“…Some scientific studies revealed its antinociceptive, 5 antiarthritic, 5 cardiotonic, 6 anticancer, 7 anti-inflammatory, 8 antidiarrheal, 9 anti-hemorrhagic, antifertility, 10 antioxidant, neuroprotective, 11 hepatoprotective, 12 antioxidant, 13 immunomodulatory, 13 anti trypanosomal activities.The major constituents of roots of C. pareira include 14 Pelosin, O-methylcurine, l-curine Cissamine, Cissampareine, Hyatin, Bebeerine, Cycleanine, Tetrandine and Beriberine, Cissampeline, Cissampoline, Dicentrine, Insularine, Pareirine, Hyatinine, Pareirubrine A, Pareirubrine B, Pareitropone, Norimeluteine, Cissampeloflavone, D-Quercitol and Grandirubrine. 14 The roots of C. pareira traditionally used as a diuretic but scientifically not evaluated as a diuretic agent.…”