title: The therapeutic potential of Berberine chloride hydrate against harmaline-induced motor impairments in a rat model of tremor.
abstract: Essential tremor (ET) is a progressive neurological disorder with motor and non-motor symptoms. It has conclusively been shown that modulation of glutamate receptors could ameliorate ET. Recent studies have suggested that Berberine (BBR) has an inhibitory effect on glutamate receptors. Therefore, BBR may have therapeutic effects on ET. In this study, male Wistar rats (n=10 in each group) weighing 40-60 g were divided into control, harmaline (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and berberine (10, 20 or 50mg/kg, i.p, 15 min before harmaline injection) groups. Open field, rotarod, wire grip and foot print tests were used to evaluate motor performance. The results indicated that the administration of BBR (10 and 20mg/kg) attenuated harmaline-induced tremor in rats, but the beneficial effects of BBR could not be identified at dose 50mg/kg. In addition, BBR ameliorated gait disturbance in doses of 10 and 20mg/kg. The high dose of BBR not only failed to recover step width but also showed an adverse effect on left and right step length. The results indicate that BBR only in dose of 20mg/kg recovers mobility duration. The current study found a dose-dependent manner for the therapeutic effects of BBR in ET. Our study provides the initial evidence for the effects of BBR on motor function. Since BBR exerts its effects mainly through regulation of neurotransmitter release or blocke of NMDA receptors, thus, it is predicted that BBR ameliorate harmaline effect through blockade of NMDA receptors or glutamate release. This is an important issue for future research to evaluate the possible mechanisms involved.
authors: Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Zohreh
authors: Z
authors: Vaziri
authors: Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Hassan
authors: H
authors: Abbassian
authors: Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Vahid
authors: V
authors: Sheibani
authors: Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Physiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Masoud
authors: M
authors: Haghani
authors: Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Masoud
authors: M
authors: Nazeri
authors: Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Iraj
authors: I
authors: Aghaei
authors: Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Electronic address: shabanimoh@yahoo.com.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Shabani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020329:Essential Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005684:Gait / Q000187:drug effects; D006246:Harmaline; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D001599:Berberine; D006246:Harmaline
keywords: Berberine; Harmaline; Motor function; Rat; Tremor