Berberine and Coptidis Rhizoma as potential anticancer agents: Recent updates and future perspectives.
BACKGROUND
The antineoplastic property of Coptidis Rhizoma and berberine was correlated with its traditional use of clearing internal fire, removing damp-heat and counteracting toxic pathogens.


OBJECTIVE
The anti-tumor effect of Coptidis Rhizoma and berberine was extensively studied since our last comprehensive review in 2009. This study aims to summarize the recent updates and give rise to perspectives of Coptidis Rhizoma and berberine as potential novel antineoplastic agents.


METHODS
Quality studies in recent 5 years were retrieved from PubMed, Medline and CNKI with keywords including Coptis, Coptidis Rhizoma, huanglian, berberine, tumor and cancer. Studies were focused on the pharmacological actions of Coptidis Rhizoma and berberine in cancer progression.


RESULTS
It was shown that Coptidis Rhizoma extract and berberine may repress tumor progression by regressing abnormal cell proliferation, arresting cell cycle and inducing cell death. Studies also highlighted the actions of Coptidis Rhizoma extract and berberine in inhibiting tumor cell invasion and angiogenesis, which in turn abolish cancer metastasis. Some studies have also been conducted to reveal the potential effect of Coptidis Rhizoma extract and berberine in regulating tumor stromal microenvironment, as well as in preventing carcinogenesis. Most of the results have been demonstrated with in vivo models, but results of high-quality clinical trials are not yet available. Unspecified cancer type and staging, fluctuated dose information and variants of targets across studies of berberine/ Coptidis Rhizoma impede their clinical use for cancer treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent advances highlighted by this review may shed light on future direction of studies featuring Coptidis Rhizoma and berberine as novel antineoplastic agents, which should be repeatedly proven in future animal and clinical studies. Although more evidences on its specificity and clinical efficacy are necessary to support its clinical use, Coptidis Rhizoma and berberine are highly expected to be effective, safe and affordable treatments for cancer patients.
School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Ning
N
Wang
School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Hor-Yue
HY
Tan
School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Lei
L
Li
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Queen Mary Hospital, and Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Man-Fung
MF
Yuen
School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: yfeng@hku.hk.
Yibin
Y
Feng
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D039323:Coptis; D000089042:Coptis chinensis; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D027343:Rhizome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D001599:Berberine; C107393:Coptidis rhizoma extract
Berberine; Cancer; Chemoprevention; Coptidis Rhizoma; Growth inhibition; Metastasis