Regulation of Cell-Signaling Pathways by Berbamine in Different Cancers

Abstract

Natural product research is a cornerstone of the architectural framework of clinical medicine. Berbamine is a natural, potent, pharmacologically active biomolecule isolated from Berberis amurensis. Berbamine has been shown to modulate different oncogenic cell-signaling pathways in different cancers. In this review, we comprehensively analyze how berbamine modulates deregulated pathways (JAK/STAT, CAMKII/c-Myc) in various cancers. We systematically analyze how berbamine induces activation of the TGF/SMAD pathway for the effective inhibition of cancer progression. We also summarize different nanotechnological strategies currently being used for proficient delivery of berbamine to the target sites. Berbamine has also been reported to demonstrate potent anti-cancer and anti-metastatic effects in tumor-bearing mice. The regulation of non-coding RNAs by berbamine is insufficiently studied, and future studies must converge on the identification of target non-coding RNAs. A better understanding of the regulatory role of berbamine in the modulation of non-coding RNAs and cell-signaling pathways will be advantageous in the effective translation of laboratory findings to clinically effective therapeutics.

Viral methyltransferase inhibitors: berbamine, venetoclax, and ponatinib as efficacious antivirals against Chikungunya virus

“…Berbamine is a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid. It has been isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Berberis amurensis (37,38). Additionally, it has been identified in the tree turmeric plant (Berberis aristata), which is traditionally utilized in dietary and Ayurvedic practices for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.…”

Bis-Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloids Inhibit Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus by Disrupting Virus Entry

“…In this study, we found that Berbamine analogs were a novel anti-PEDV drug candidate. Berbamine is a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Berberis amurensis [ 14 ]. Berbamine inhibits various viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, JEV, ASFV, and EBOV [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Berbamine (BBM), Fangchinoline (FAN), and (+)-Fangchinoline (+FAN) are a few types of bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloids that are extracted from natural medicinal plants [ 13 ]. These three compounds have various biological activities, including antiviral, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities, by modulating different cell-signaling pathways [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. In a study of antiviral drugs, BBM was reported to inhibit Middle Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Japanese encephalitis Virus (JEV), Ebola virus (EBOV), and African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) infections [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Berbamine promotes macrophage autophagy to clear Mycobacterium tuberculosis by regulating the ROS/Ca 2+ axis

“…Berbamine (BBM), a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, is a natural, potent, pharmacologically active biomolecule isolated from the shrub Berberis amurensis . BBM modulates different cell-signaling pathways (JAK/STAT, CAMKII/c-Myc) in various cancers ( 3 ), is effective as an anti-diabetic supplement ( 4 ), and, more recently, was reported to inhibit the entry of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) virus, the causative agent of COVID-19, into host cells ( 5 ). However, there are few studies on how BBM regulates mycobacteria.…”