title: Berberine Reduces Neurotoxicity Related to Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Rats.
abstract: Berberine is a plant alkaloid that has several pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, antilipidemic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) triggers different aspects of disorders such as impaired endogenous lipid metabolism, hypercholesterolemia, oxidative stress, and neurotoxicity. In this study, we examined the mechanism by which NASH induces neurotoxicity and the protective effect of berberine against both NASH and its associated neurotoxicity. NASH induced rats showed significant impairments in lipid metabolism with increased serum triglycerides, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The NASH induced group also demonstrated a significant oxidative stress which is characterized by increased TBARs level and decreased antioxidant capacity such as GSH and SOD levels. Moreover, the NASH induction was associated with inflammation which was demonstrated by increased TNFα and nitric oxide levels. Hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia were observed in the NASH induced group. Also, our results showed a significant increase in the expression of the acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and amyloid beta precursor protein (AβPP). These changes were significantly correlated with decreased insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) and beta-amyloid40 (Aβ 40) and increased beta-amyloid42 (Aβ 42) in the hippocampal region. Daily administration of berberine (50 mg/kg) for three weeks ameliorated oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and the observed neurotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21511, Egypt.
authors.forename: Doaa A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Ghareeb
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21511, Egypt.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Department, Zoology, Faculty of Science, Suez University, Suez, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hani S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Hafez
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science Informatics, B-IT, LIMES Program Unit Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Dahlmannstraße 2, 53113 Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bajorath
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt ; Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Pharmacy College, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Hany E A
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research & Technology Applications, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: Eman
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sarhan
authors.affiliation: Zewail City of Science and Technology, Helmy Institute for Medical Sciences, Center for Aging and Associated Diseases, Sheikh Zayed District, 6th of October City, Giza 12588, Egypt.
authors.forename: Eiman
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Elwakeel
authors.affiliation: Medical Biotechnology Department, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research & Technology Applications, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: Maha A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: El-Demellawy