Research progress of berberine mediated photodynamic therapy (Review)

Abstract

Berberine (BBR) is a plant secondary metabolite that has been used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the last few decades. The present review aimed to discuss the research progress of BBR-mediated photodynamic actions. The following key words were searched in several databases: ‘Berberine’ combined with ‘photodynamic therapy’, ‘sonodynamic therapy (SDT)’, ‘ultraviolet’, ‘reactive oxygen’ and ‘singlet oxygen’. The results demonstrated that both type I and type II reactions participated in the photodynamic progression of BBR derivatives. In addition, the photochemical characteristics of BBR derivatives were affected by the polarity, pH and O 2 content of solvents. DNA binding increases the lifespan of the photoexcited BBR state and generation of singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ). The chemical properties of substituents in different positions of the BBR skeleton are pivotal for its photochemical properties, particularly the methylenedioxy group at the C-2 and C-3 positions. BBR is a promising agent for mediating both PDT- and SDT-treated diseases, particularly in tumors. However, further studies are required to validate their biological effects. In addition, the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor effects of BBR-PDT remain unclear and warrant further investigation. The structural modification and targeted delivery of BBR have made it possible to broaden its applications; however, experimental verification is required. Overall, BBR acts as a sensitizer for PDT and has promising development prospects.

Diabetes and Cancer: Metabolic Association, Therapeutic Challenges, and the Role of Natural Products

“…Colorectal, lung, liver, ovarian, prostate and cervical cancers are all inhibited by berberine [260]. Under illumination with a black light lamp (320,450 nm; 20 W), SGC803 gastric cancer cells combined with berberine (10 g/mL) showed a good inhibitory proliferation effect.…”

“…Berberine isolated from Coptis japonica Makino, Coptis chinensis Franch, and Berberis aristata Sims is an essential isoquinoline alkaloid. It is found in barberry, goldenseal, tree turmeric, and oregon grape [260]. It is a pharmacologically significant secondary metabolite as it can help in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, and obesity [260].…”

“…It is found in barberry, goldenseal, tree turmeric, and oregon grape [260]. It is a pharmacologically significant secondary metabolite as it can help in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, and obesity [260].…”

“…Additionally, berberine combined with 5-ALA-photodynamic therapy inhibits MGC-803 gastric cancer cell proliferation, reduces survivin and Bcl2 expression, stimulates cell apoptosis, and upregulates p53 and Bax expression. These findings imply that berberine has the ability to be utilized in conjunction with photosensitizers [260]. Activating apoptosis and autophagy, inhibiting cell proliferation, and altering protein expression are berberine-photodynamic therapy's mechanisms in treating tumors [260].…”

“…These findings imply that berberine has the ability to be utilized in conjunction with photosensitizers [260]. Activating apoptosis and autophagy, inhibiting cell proliferation, and altering protein expression are berberine-photodynamic therapy's mechanisms in treating tumors [260]. Furthermore, berberine was utilized against breast cancer as it improved JNK phosphorylation, activated caspase-3, reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased the expression of Bcl-2, and increased the release of cytochrome c and AIF [261].…”