title: Neuropharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of berberine: a review of recent research.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This review summarizes recent research on the neuropharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Coptidis rhizoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Berberine has multiple neuropharmacological properties, such as neuroprection, anti-neuronal apoptosis, improvement of cerebral microcirculation and anti-Alzheimer'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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors: Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
authors: Minzhong
authors: M
authors: Ye
authors: Sheng
authors: S
authors: Fu
authors: Rongbiao
authors: R
authors: Pi
authors: Feng
authors: F
authors: He
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D001599:Berberine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D001599:Berberine