title: Current knowledge and pharmacological profile of berberine: An update.
abstract: Berberine, a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, occurs as an active constituent in numerous medicinal plants and has an array of pharmacological properties. It has been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for its antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antidiarrheal and antitrachoma activity. Moreover, several clinical and preclinical studies demonstrate ameliorative effect of berberine against several disorders including metabolic, neurological and cardiological problems. This review provides a summary regarding the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of berberine, with a focus on the different mechanisms underlying its multispectrum activity. Studies regarding the safety profile, drug interactions and important clinical trials of berberine have also been included. Clinical trials with respect to neurological disorders need to be undertaken to exploit the beneficiary effects of berberine against serious disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Also, clinical studies to detect rare adverse effects of berberine need to be initiated to draw a complete safety profile of berberine and strengthen its applicability.
authors.affiliation: Neuropharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Studies (UGC-CAS), Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India. Electronic address: kumaruips@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Neuropharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Studies (UGC-CAS), Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
authors.lastname: Ekavali
authors.affiliation: Neuropharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Studies (UGC-CAS), Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
authors.forename: Kanwaljit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chopra
authors.affiliation: Neuropharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Studies (UGC-CAS), Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
authors.forename: Madhurima
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.affiliation: Neuropharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Studies (UGC-CAS), Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
authors.forename: Raghavender
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pottabathini
authors.affiliation: Neuropharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Studies (UGC-CAS), Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
authors.forename: Dinesh K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Dhull
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001599:Berberine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D001599:Berberine
keywords: 5-hydroxytryptamine (PubChem CID: 5202); 6-OHDA (PubChem CID: 4624); Berbamine (PubChem CID: 10170); Berberine; Berberine (PubChem CID: 2353); Berberrubine (PubChem CID: 72704); Daunomycin (PubChem CID: 30323); Immunomodulation; Jatrorrhizine (PubChem CID: 72323); Mitoxantrone (PubChem CID: 4212); Oxidative stress; Pharmacodynamics; Pharmacokinetics; Streptazotocin (PubChem CID: 29327); Thalifendine (PubChem CID: 3084288); Verapamil (PubChem CID: 2520)