- 1. Management of Diabetes and Its Complications with Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.) and Corosolic Acid.
Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.) extracts have been used for many years in folk medicine to treat diabetes, with the first published research study being reported in 1940. This paper summarizes the current literature regarding Banaba and its constituents. The hypoglycemic effects of Banaba have been attributed to both corosolic acid as well as ellagitannins. Studies have been conducted in various animal models, human subjects, and in vitro systems using water soluble Banaba leaf extracts, corosolic acid, and ellagitannins. Corosolic acid has been reported to decrease blood sugar levels within 60 min in human subjects. Corosolic acid also exhibits antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities. The beneficial effects of Banaba and corosolic acid with respect to various aspects of glucose and lipid metabolism appear to involve multiple mechanisms, including enhanced cellular uptake of glucose, impaired hydrolysis of sucrose and starches, decreased gluconeogenesis, and the regulation of lipid metabolism. These effects may be mediated by PPAR and other signal transduction factors. Banaba extract, corosolic acid, and other constituents may be beneficial in addressing the symptoms associated with metabolic syndrome, as well as offering other health benefits....(more)
Miura T, et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012;2012:871495.
Related Products: Banaba Leaf Extract
- 2. A six-month supplementation of mulberry, korean red ginseng, and banaba decreases biomarkers of systemic low-grade inflammation in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes.
We sought the long-term efficacy of traditionally used antidiabetic herbs in controlling blood glucose homeostasis and low-grade inflammation. Ninety-four subjects with either impaired glucose tolerance or mild T2D were randomized either to treatment arm or placebo arm and received 1 : 1 : 1 mixture of ginseng roots, mulberry leaf water extract, and banaba leaf water extract (6 g/d) for 24 weeks. Oral 75 g glucose tolerance test was performed to measure glucose and insulin responses. Blood biomarkers of low-grade inflammation were also determined. Results found no significant difference in glucose homeostasis control measure changes. However, plasma intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) concentration was decreased showing a significant between-treatment changes (P = 0.037). The concentrations of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) (P = 0.014) and ICAM-1 (P = 0.048) were decreased in the treatment group at week 24, and the oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) concentration was reduced at week 24 compared to the baseline value in the treatment group (P = 0.003). These results indicate a long-term supplementation of ginseng, mulberry leaf, and banaba leaf suppresses inflammatory responses in T2D....(more)
Kim HJ, et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012;2012:735191.
Related Products: Banaba Leaf Extract
- 3. A review of the efficacy and safety of banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.) and corosolic acid.
Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.) extracts have been used for many years in folk medicine to treat diabetes, with the first published research study being reported in 1940. This review summarizes the current literature regarding banaba and its constituents. The hypoglycemic effects of banaba have been attributed to both corosolic acid as well as ellagitannins. Studies have been conducted in various animal models, human subjects and in vitro systems using water soluble banaba leaf extracts, corosolic acid-standardized extracts, and purified corosolic acid and ellagitannins. Pure corosolic acid has been reported to decrease blood sugar levels within 60 min in human subjects. Corosolic acid also exhibits antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, antineoplastic and osteoblastic activities. The beneficial effects of banaba and corosolic acid with respect to various aspects of glucose and lipid metabolism appear to involve multiple mechanisms, including enhanced cellular uptake of glucose, impaired hydrolysis of sucrose and starches, decreased gluconeogenesis and the regulation of lipid metabolism. These effects may be mediated by PPAR, MAP K, NF-κB and other signal transduction factors. No adverse effects have been observed or reported in animal studies or controlled human clinical trials. Banaba extract, corosolic acid and other constituents may be beneficial in addressing the symptoms associated with metabolic syndrome, as well as offering other health benefits.
Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd....(more)
Stohs SJ, et al. Phytother Res 2012 Mar;26(3):317-24.
Related Products: Banaba Leaf Extract
- 4. Antioxidant effect of Lagerstroemia speciosa Pers (banaba) leaf extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.
Aqueous leaf extract of L. speciosa (banaba) effectively decreased the blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice after 15th day of banaba exposure. Further, banaba leaf extract have the potential to inhibit lipid peroxidation and effectively intercept/neutralize reactive oxygen species such as super oxide, H2O2 and NO based free radicals. The aqueous banaba leaf extract (150 mg/kg bodyweight) duly reduced STZ generated reactive intermediates and radical species helping to regulate normal levels of antioxidative markers like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione....(more)
Saumya SM, et al. Indian J Exp Biol 2011 Feb;49(2):125-31.
Related Products: Banaba Leaf Extract
- 5. Effect of corosolic acid on dietary hypercholesterolemia and hepatic steatosis in KK-Ay diabetic mice.
Corosolic acid (CA), contained in the leaves of the banaba plant (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.), is a pentacyclic triterpene, and has hypoglycemic effects. The effects of CA on dietary hypercholesterolemia and hepatic steatosis were assessed in KK-Ay mice, an animal model of type 2 diabetes. Two kinds of high cholesterol diet with or without 0.023% CA, were prepared for the study. KK-Ay mice were fed a normal diet (controls), the high cholesterol diet with CA (CA-mice) or that without CA (HC-mice) for 10 weeks. CA inhibited the mean blood cholesterol level by 32% (P<0.05) and the liver cholesterol content by 46% (P<0.05) compared with those of HC-mice 10 weeks after the start of dietary intake. Acutely, CA inhibited the mean blood cholesterol level 4 h after the administration of a high-cholesterol cocktail in an oral cholesterol-loading test, compared with that of control mice (P<0.05). These results suggest that CA has some direct effects on the cholesterol absorption process in the small intestine. CA may inhibit the activity of cholesterol acyltransferase, which acts in the re-esterification of cholesterol in the small intestine, in type 2 diabetes....(more)
Takagi S, et al. Biomed Res 2010 Aug;31(4):213-8.
Related Products: Banaba Leaf Extract
- 6. Inhibitory effects of herbal extracts on the activity of human sulfotransferase isoform sulfotransferase 1A3 (SULT1A3).
Sulfotransferase 1A3 (SULT1A3) is a phase II detoxifying enzyme of xenobiotics predominantly expressed in the intestinal epithelium. Recent increase in the use of herbal extracts as dietary supplements may lead to an increase in the possibility of dietary supplement-drug interactions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of 18 herbal extracts on SULT1A3 activity and the possibility of interaction between medicinal drugs and herbal extracts. We examined the inhibitory potencies of 18 herbal extracts on the sulfation of dopamine, a typical substrate of SULT1A3, and ritodrine, a beta(2) stimulant, by human recombinant SULT1A3. The sulfation of dopamine was inhibited by extracts of banaba, green tea, Rafuma, grape seed, peanut seed coat, gingko biloba leaf, St. John's wort, gymnema and milkthistle. The IC(50) values of these herbal extracts were lower than the putative gastrointestinal concentration when the recommended dose was ingested. On the other hand, chlorella extract and rutin showed no inhibitory effects and wheat, mulberry and siberian ginseng had IC(50) values exceedingly higher than the putative gastrointestinal concentration. The inhibitory profiles of herbal extracts for the sulfation of ritodrine were comparable to those for the sulfation of dopamine. In conclusion, the extracts of herbs such as banaba and green tea potently inhibited SULT1A3 activity. These extracts may increase the bioavailability of drugs whose bioavailabilities were limited by the function of SULT1A3 on the intestinal epithelium....(more)
Nagai M, et al. Biol Pharm Bull 2009 Jan;32(1):105-9.
Related Products: Banaba Leaf Extract
- 7. Effect of corosolic acid on the hydrolysis of disaccharides.
The banaba leaf (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.) has been used in traditional Oriental medicine to treat diabetes in the Philippines. It contains corosolic acid (CA), a compound which has a hypoglycemic effect. We examined the effect of CA on blood glucose levels and the hydrolysis of disaccharides in the small intestine in mice. CA (10 mg/kg body weight) improved hyperglycemia after an oral administration of sucrose, and significantly reduced the hydrolysis of sucrose in the small intestine. These results suggest that the hypoglycemic activity of CA is derived, at least in part, due to the inhibition of the hydrolysis of sucrose....(more)
Takagi S, et al. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2008 Jun;54(3):266-8.
Related Products: Banaba Leaf Extract
- 8. Effect of corosolic acid on gluconeogenesis in rat liver.
Corosolic acid (CRA), an active component of Banaba leaves (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.), decreases blood glucose in diabetic animals and humans. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of action of CRA on gluconeogenesis in rat liver. CRA (20-100 microM) dose-dependently decreased gluconeogenesis in perfused liver and in isolated hepatocytes. Fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (F-2,6-BP), a gluconeogenic intermediate, plays a critical role in hepatic glucose output by regulating gluconeogenesis and glycolysis in the liver. CRA increased the production of F-2,6-BP along with a decrease in intracellular levels of cAMP both in the presence and in the absence of forskolin in isolated hepatocytes. While a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitor inhibited hepatic gluconeogenesis, the drug did not intensify the inhibitory effect of CRA on hepatic gluconeogenesis in isolated hepatocytes. These results indicate that CRA inhibits gluconeogenesis by increasing the production of F-2,6-BP by lowering the cAMP level and inhibiting PKA activity in isolated hepatocytes. Furthermore, CRA increased glucokinase activity in isolated hepatocytes without affecting glucose-6-phosphatase activity, suggesting the promotion of glycolysis. These effects on hepatic glucose metabolism may underlie the various anti-diabetic actions of CRA....(more)
Yamada K, et al. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2008 Apr;80(1):48-55.
Related Products: Banaba Leaf Extract
- 9. [An investigation on rare and endangered Tibetan medicinal plants in Lhasa region].
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate and study the endangered Tibetan medicinal plant species, their moisture content, biomass and resources reserves in Lhasa region.
METHOD:
The rare and endangered Tibetan medicinal plant resources were investigated by plot-quadrat method, walking and inquiry ways, sampling and drying method.
RESULT:
There were 37 species of rare and endangered plants, belonging to 22 families and 34 genera in Lhasa region. The moisture content of aerial part was higher than that of underground part in many plants. The moisture content of Przewalskia tangutica was the highest (91.97%), and the lowest one was Fritillaria delavayi (only 25.99%). The mean biomass of Rubus biflorus was the highest (1 830.480 g), that of Cordyceps sinensis was the lowest (0.291 g). The root-shoot ratio of Asparagus filicinus was the maximum (5.313), the minimum was Aconitum gymnandrum (0.286). The largest output was 18.000 kg x hm(-2) for Berberis agricola, the output of Saxifraga pasumensis was the lowest (0.007 kg x hm(-2)). The resources reserves of the rare and endangered plants were 15683.697 t in Lhasa region, the maximum was 7690.230 t for B. agricola, 49.03% of the total reserves, the minimum was 2.393 t for S. pasumensis, only 0.015%.
CONCLUSION:
The characteristics of rare and endangered plants were as follows: abundant species and complex habitats, widely distribution but uneven, rich reserves and high economic value. We suggested to update the endangered level of medicinal plants, strengthen the scientific research on these plants, maintain sustainable utilization of the rare and endangered plants in Lhasa region....(more)
Lu J, et al. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 2013 Jan;38(1):127-32. Chinese.
Related Products: Barberry Root Extract
- 10. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in the popular landscape plant Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea.
Berberis thunbergii var, atropurpurea. DC is one of the popular landscape plants in the USA, but until now lacked report on its chemical composition and biological properties. In this study, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanolic extract and pure isolates of B. thunbergii var. atropurpurea, Crimson Pygmy, roots were evaluated using established bioassay procedures. The methanolic extract gave an absorbance value of 0.44 at 250 microg/mL concentration in the MTT assay. In addition, the extract inhibited lipid peroxidation (LPO) by 93% and the cyclooxygenase enzymes, COX-1 by 54 and COX-2 by 34%, at 100 microg/mL concentration. Therefore, a bioactivity-guided purification was carried out yielding pure isolates, out of which compounds 3-6 inhibited LPO by 34-66% at 100 microg/mL concentration. Similarly, compounds 1-6 inhibited COX-1 and -2 by 24-65 and 23-43% at 25 microg/mL concentration, respectively. This is the first report of the chemical constituents and biological activities of this plant....(more)
Zhang CR, et al. Nat Prod Commun 2013 Feb;8(2):165-8.
Related Products: Barberry Root Extract
- 11. Anticonvulsant effect of Berberis integerrima L. root extracts in mice.
Berberis integerrima is a member of Berberidaceae family. Berberine is one of the main constituents of this plant, having neuroprotective effect on central nervous system diseases. In this study, the anticonvulsant activity of methanolic extract, and hydromethanolic fraction, and chloroform fraction of B integerrima was assessed. The anticonvulsant effect of B integerrima was investigated using both pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizure models. The LD50 value of the methanolic extract was 302.676 mg/kg. In the PTZ test, methanolic extract (140 and 200 mg/kg, i.p., p<0.01), hydromethanolic fraction (200 mg/kg, p<0.01), and chloroform fraction (200 mg/kg, p<0.01) increased the onset time of hind limb tonic extensions (HLTEs). The protective effect against mortality (convulsion survivors/animals tested) was 2/8 in methanolic extract, and 3/8 in hydromethanolic fraction at a dose of 200 mg/kg and in chloroform fraction at a dose of 140 mg/kg. In the MES test, this plant did not display any significant effect in reducing HLTE duration. According to phytochemical screening, methanolic extract contained alkaloids and tannins. The present study, conducted in mice, indicated that B integerrima has anticonvulsant activity in PTZ-induced seizures. It is concluded that B integerrima may be useful in petit mal epilepsy.
Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V....(more)
Hosseinzadeh H, et al. J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2013 Feb;6(1):12-7.
Related Products: Barberry Root Extract
- 12. Quality evaluation of ayurvedic crude drug daruharidra, its allied species, and commercial samples from herbal drug markets of India.
Berberis aristata known as "Daruharidra" in Ayurveda is a versatile medicinal plant used singly or in combination with other medicinal plants for treating a variety of ailments like jaundice, enlargement of spleen, leprosy, rheumatism, fever, morning/evening sickness, snakebite, and so forth. A major bioactive marker of this genus is an alkaloid berberine, which is known for its activity against cholera, acute diarrhea, amoebiasis, and latent malaria and for the treatment of oriental sore caused by Leishmania tropica. Although the roots of B. aristata are considered as the official drug (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India), the study revealed that different species of Berberis, namely. B. asiatica, B. chitria, and B. lycium are also used under the name of Daruharidra in different parts of the country. Detailed physicochemical and phytochemical studies of subjects like total ash, acid insoluble ash, tannins, and total alkaloids were calculated from the shade dried powdered material according to the recommended procedures. Further, heavy metal studies and quantitative estimation of berberine through HPTLC have also been performed as per ICH guidelines. A detailed study of four Berberis species, namely B. aristata, B. asiatica, B. chitria, and B. lycium, which are implicated as Daruharidra and collected from wild and ten commercial samples procured from various important drug markets in India has been carried out, which may be useful to pharmaceutical industries for the authentication of the commercial samples and exploring the possibilities of using other species as a substitute of B. aristata....(more)
Srivastava S, et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2013;2013:472973.
Related Products: Barberry Root Extract
- 13. Berberis vulgaris root extract alleviates the adverse effects of heat stress via modulating hepatic nuclear transcription factors in quails.
To evaluate the action mode of Berberis vulgaris root extract in the alleviation of oxidative stress, female Japanese quails (n 180, aged 5 weeks) were reared, either at 22°C for 24 h/d (thermoneutral, TN) or 34°C for 8 h/d (heat stress, HS), and fed one of three diets: diets containing 0, 100 or 200 mg of B. vulgaris root extract per kg for 12 weeks. Exposure to HS depressed feed intake by 8·5 % and egg production by 12·1 %, increased hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) level by 98·0 % and decreased hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities by 23·5, 35·4 and 55·7 %, respectively (P< 0·001 for all). There were also aggravations in expressions of hepatic NF-κB and heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) by 42 and 43 %, respectively and suppressions in expressions of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and haeme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1) by 57 and 61 %, respectively, in heat-stressed quails (P< 0·001 for all). As supplemental B. vulgaris extract increased, there were linear increases in performance parameters, activities of antioxidant enzymes and hepatic Nrf2 and HO-1 expressions (P< 0·001 for all) and linear decreases in hepatic MDA level and NF-κB and HSP70 expressions at a greater extent in quails reared under TN condition and those reared under HS condition. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of B. vulgaris root extract to quails reduces the detrimental effects of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation resulting from HS via activating the host defence system at the cellular level....(more)
Sahin K, et al. Br J Nutr 2013 Jan 14:1-8.
Related Products: Barberry Root Extract
- 14. Dose-response of berberine on hepatic cytochromes P450 mRNA expression and activities in mice.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:
Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the root and bark of plants such as goldenseal, Berberis, and Chinese goldthread. Berberine-containing crude drugs have been used as an antimicrobial remedy against gastrointestinal infections for thousands of years. It is also widely used in Asian countries for diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia therapy.
AIM OF THE STUDY:
Potential drug-drug interactions are of concern because of the wide usage of berberine. A few studies have reported interactions between berberine and cytochromes P450 (CYPs) in vitro, but little is known about whether berberine influences CYPs in vivo, especially after repeated administration. In this study, eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were given berberine orally (0, 10, 30, 100, 300 mg/kg, i.g., daily for 14 days), and the effect of berberine on over 20 major Cyps and related nuclear receptors in mice livers were examined at both the mRNA and enzyme activity levels.
RESULTS:
In general, liver function of mice treated with various doses of berberine had no significant change, and repeated oral administration of the 3 lower doses of berberine for 14 days did not affect the expression of genes examined. However, after the highest dose of berberine (300mg/kg), Cyp3a11 and Cyp3a25 mRNA decreased 67.6 and 87.4%, respectively, whereas Cyp1a2 mRNA increased 43.2%, and enzyme activities of Cyp3a11 and Cyp2d22 decreased 67.9 and 32.4%, respectively. Cyp2a4, 2b10 and Cyp2c29 were not altered at both mRNA and enzyme activity levels.
CONCLUSIONS:
If studies in mice extrapolate to humans, lower doses of berberine appear to present a low risk of producing drug-drug interactions as a result of changed Cyp enzyme activity. However, high doses of berberine may suppress Cyp activities and result in drug-drug interactions.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved....(more)
Guo Y, et al. J Ethnopharmacol 2011 Oct 31;138(1):111-8.
Related Products: Barberry Root Extract
- 15. Effect of berberine and Berberis aetnensis C. Presl. alkaloid extract on glutamate-evoked tissue transglutaminase up-regulation in astroglial cell cultures.
Berberis aetnensis C. Presl. is a bushy-spiny shrub common on Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy), containing various alkaloids with several pharmacological properties. This study assessed the effect of berberine and of the alkaloid extract of B. aetnensis roots on the glutamate-evoked tissue transglutaminase (TG2) up-regulation in rat astrocyte primary cultures, used as an in vitro model of excitotoxicity. The findings show that the alkaloid extract of B. aetnensis roots consists mainly of berberine. Furthermore, berberine and the alkaloid extract of B. aetnensis roots were able to restore the oxidative status modified by glutamate and the levels of TG2 to control values. It was found that berberine or the alkaloid extract of B. aetnensis roots are able to ameliorate the excessive production of glutamate, protein misfolding and aggregation, mitochondrial fragmentation, and neurodegeneration. Thus, it is suggested that berberine and the alkaloid extract of B. aetnensis roots, may represent a natural therapeutic strategy in the neuropathological conditions associated with excitotoxicity.
Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd....(more)
Campisi A, et al. Phytother Res 2011 Jun;25(6):816-20.
Related Products: Barberry Root Extract
- 16. Berberis vulgaris root bark extract prevents hyperoxaluria induced urolithiasis in rats.
Berberis vulgaris is a widely used plant for the treatment of urolithiasis. To evaluate its antiurolithic potential, the crude aqueous-methanol extract of Berberis vulgaris root bark (Bv.Cr) was tested in an animal model of urolithiasis, developed in male Wistar rats by adding 0.75% ethylene glycol in drinking water. Bv.Cr (50 mg/kg) inhibited CaOx crystal deposition in renal tubules and protected against associated changes including polyuria, weight loss, impaired renal function and the development of oxidative stress in kidneys. Activity-guided fractionation revealed the concentration of antiurolithic constituent(s) mainly in the aqueous fraction. These data, indicating the presence of antiurolithic activity in Berberis vulgaris root bark, rationalize its medicinal use for the treatment of urolithiasis.
Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd....(more)
Bashir S, et al. Phytother Res 2010 Aug;24(8):1250-5.
Related Products: Barberry Root Extract
- 17. Evaluation of antioxidant activities and phenolic content of Berberis vulgaris L. and Berberis croatica Horvat.
Antioxidant activities of the ethanolic extracts of roots, twigs and leaves of common barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) and Croatian barberry (Berberis croatica Horvat) were studied. All the extracts were found to possess some radical-scavenging and antioxidant activities, as determined by scavenging effect on the DPPH free radical, reducing power and beta-carotene-linoleic acid model system. With the exception of the beta-carotene-linoleic acid test, antioxidant activity correlated well with the content of main plant antioxidants, phenols and flavonols, which suggests an important role of these compounds in overall antioxidant activity of investigated plant organs. The antioxidant activity varied mostly in relation to the organ, while no significant statistically differences were found between B. vulgaris and B. croatica.
Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved....(more)
Zovko Konci? M, et al. Food Chem Toxicol 2010 Aug-Sep;48(8-9):2176-80.
Related Products: Barberry Root Extract
- 18. Habitat-dependent variations in berberine content of Berberis asiatica Roxb. ex. DC. in Kumaon, Western Himalaya.
The variation of the berberine content in roots and stem bark of Berberis asiatica with altitude and edaphic conditions in the western Himalaya was estimated by HPLC. The comparative assessment revealed a significantly higher berberine content in roots than in stem barks. Moreover, the berberine content varied significantly with altitude and edaphic conditions both in root and stem bark samples. The populations growing at low altitude contained significantly more berberine than the ones growing at high altitude. Also the moisture and potassium (K) percentage of the soil significantly influenced the berberine content....(more)
Andola HC, et al. Chem Biodivers 2010 Feb;7(2):415-20.
Related Products: Barberry Root Extract
- 19. Binding of the 9-O-N-aryl/arylalkyl Amino Carbonyl Methyl Substituted Berberine Analogs to tRNA(phe.).
BACKGROUND:
Three new analogs of berberine with aryl/arylalkyl amino carbonyl methyl substituent at the 9-position of the isoquinoline chromophore along with berberrubine were studied for their binding to tRNA(phe) by wide variety of biophysical techniques like spectrophotometry, spectrofluorimetry, circular dichroism, thermal melting, viscosity and isothermal titration calorimetry.
METHODOLOGYPRINCIPAL FINDINGS:
Scatchard binding isotherms revealed that the cooperative binding mode of berberine was propagated in the analogs also. Thermal melting studies showed that all the 9-O-N-aryl/arylalkyl amino carbonyl methyl substituted berberine analogs stabilized the tRNA(phe) more in comparison to berberine. Circular dichroism studies showed that these analogs perturbed the structure of tRNA(phe) more in comparison to berberine. Ferrocyanide quenching studies and viscosity results proved the intercalative binding mode of these analogs into the helical organization of tRNA(phe). The binding was entropy driven for the analogs in sharp contrast to the enthalpy driven binding of berberine. The introduction of the aryl/arylalkyl amino carbonyl methyl substituent at the 9-position thus switched the enthalpy driven binding of berberine to entropy dominated binding. Salt and temperature dependent calorimetric studies established the involvement of multiple weak noncovalent interactions in the binding process.
CONCLUSIONSSIGNIFICANCE:
The results showed that 9-O-N-aryl/arylalkyl amino carbonyl methyl substituted berberine analogs exhibited almost ten folds higher binding affinity to tRNA(phe) compared to berberine whereas the binding of berberrubine was dramatically reduced by about twenty fold in comparison to berberine. The spacer length of the substitution at the 9-position of the isoquinoline chromophore appears to be critical in modulating the binding affinities towards tRNA(phe)....(more)
Basu A, et al. PLoS One 2013;8(3):e58279.
Related Products: Berberine
- 20. Berberine improves insulin resistance in cardiomyocytes via activation of 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase.
OBJECTIVE:
Insulin resistance plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Berberine (BBR) is a plant alkaloid which promotes hypoglycemia via increasing insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues. Little is known of BBR's role in regulating glucose metabolism in heart.
MATERIALS/METHODS:
We examined the effect and mechanism of BBR on glucose consumption and glucose uptake in insulin sensitive or insulin resistant rat H9c2 cardiomyocyte cells. H9c2 myoblast cells were differentiated into cardiomyocytes and incubated with insulin for 24h to induce insulin resistance.
RESULTS:
BBR-treatment of H9c2 cells increased glucose consumption and glucose uptake compared to controls. In addition, BBR-treatment attenuated the reduction in glucose consumption and glucose uptake in insulin resistant H9c2 cells. Compound C, an inhibitor of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), abolished the enhancement of glucose consumption and glucose uptake mediated by BBR in both insulin sensitive and insulin resistant H9c2 cells compared to controls.
CONCLUSION:
BBR significantly increased AMPK activity, but had little effect on the activity of protein kinase B (AKT) in insulin resistant H9c2 cells, suggesting that berberine improves insulin resistance in H9c2 cardiomyocytes at least in part via stimulation of AMPK activity.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved....(more)
Chang W, et al. Metabolism 2013 Mar 25.
Related Products: Berberine
- 21. Neurotoxic effects of berberine on long-term L-DOPA administration in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease.
The effects of berberine on long-term administration of L-DOPA in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) were investigated. Rat models of PD were prepared by 6-OHDA lesions in the ipsilateral sides, and then were treated with berberine (5 and 15 mg/kg) and/or L-DOPA (10 mg/kg) once daily for 21 days. Treatments with either concentration of berberine (5 and 15 mg/kg) in 6-OHDA-lesioned groups decreased the numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunopositive neurons in the substantia nigra and the levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the striatum as compared to 6-OHDA-lesioned groups. In addition, dopaminergic neuronal cell death of the ipsilateral sides in 6-OHDA-lesioned groups was attenuated by L-DOPA administration. However, both concentrations of berberine in 6-OHDA-lesioned groups treated with L-DOPA aggravated the numbers of TH-immunopositive neurons in the substantia nigra and the levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, DOPAC and HVA in the striatum as compared to rats not treated with berberine. These results suggest that berberine leads to the degeneration of dopaminergic neuronal cells in the substantia nigra in the rat model of PD with chronic L-DOPA administration. Long-term L-DOPA therapy that may involve possibly neurotoxic isoquinoline agents including berberine should involve monitoring for adverse symptoms....(more)
Shin KS, et al. Arch Pharm Res 2013 Mar 29.
Related Products: Berberine
- 22. The protective effect of berberine against neuronal damage by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-9 and laminin degradation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
OBJECTIVE:
This study aims to assess the protective effect of berberine against neuronal damage in the brain parenchyma of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).
METHODS:
EAE was induced in female C57 BL/6 mice with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 amino acid peptide. The berberine treatment was initiated on the day of disease onset and administered daily until the mice were sacrificed. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, gelatin gel, and gelatin in situ zymography were analysed in this study.
RESULTS:
Berberine reduced the TUNEL-positive neuronal cells of EAE mice. Gelatin gel and gelatin in situ zymography showed up-regulation of gelatinase activity, which was mainly located in neurons and colocalized with remarkable laminin degradation in EAE mice. Berberine significantly inhibited gelatinase activity and reduced the laminin degradation in EAE mice.
DISCUSSION:
Our data suggest that berberine could provide protection against neuronal damage in EAE by inhibiting gelatinase activity and reducing laminin degradation. These findings provide further support that berberine can be a potential therapeutic agent for multiple sclerosis....(more)
Jiang Y, et al. Neurol Res 2013 May;35(4):360-8.
Related Products: Berberine
- 23. Berberine Ameliorates Chronic Kidney Injury Caused by Atherosclerotic Renovascular Disease through the Suppression of NFκB Signaling Pathway in Rats.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Impaired renal function in atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARD) may be the result of crosstalk between atherosclerotic renovascular stenosis and amplified oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis. Berberine (BBR) regulates cholesterol metabolism and exerts antioxidant effects. Accordingly, we hypothesized that BBR treatment may ameliorate ARD-induced kidney injury through its cholesterol-lowering effect and also suppression of the pathways involved in oxidative stress, inflammation and NFκB activation.
METHODS:
Male rats were subjected to unilateral renal artery stenosis with silver-irritant coil, and then fed with 12-week hypercholesterolemic diet. Rats with renal artery stenosis were randomly assigned to two groups (n=6 each) - ARD, or ARD+BBR - according to diet alone or in combination with BBR. Similarly, age-matched rats underwent sham operation and were also fed with hypercholesterolemic diet alone or in combination with BBR as two corresponding controls. Single-kidney hemodynamic metrics were measured in vivo with Doppler ultrasound to determine renal artery flow. The metrics reflecting hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, renal structure and function, inflammation and NFκB activation were measured, respectively.
RESULTS:
Compared with control rats, ARD rats had a significant increase in urinary albumin, plasma cholesterol, LDL and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and a significant decrease in SOD activity. When exposed to 12-week BBR, ARD rats had significantly lower levels in blood pressure, LDL, urinary albumin, and TBARS. In addition, there were significantly lower expression levels of iNOS and TGF-β in the ARD+BBR group than in the ARD group, with attenuated NFκB-DNA binding activity and down-regulated protein levels of subunits p65 and p50 as well as IKKβ.
CONCLUSIONS:
We conclude that BBR can improve hypercholesterolemia and redox status in the kidney, eventually ameliorating chronic renal injury in rats with ARD, and that BBR can act against proinflammatory and profibrotic responses through suppression of the NFκB signaling pathway....(more)
Wan X, et al. PLoS One 2013;8(3):e59794.
Related Products: Berberine
- 24. Effect of Berberine on PPAR α /NO Activation in High Glucose- and Insulin-Induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy.
Rhizoma coptidis, the root of Coptis chinensis Franch, has been used in China as a folk medicine in the treatment of diabetes for thousands of years. Berberine, one of the active ingredients of Rhizoma coptidis, has been reported to improve symptoms of diabetes and to treat experimental cardiac hypertrophy, respectively. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of berberine on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in diabetes and its possible influence on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- α (PPAR α )/nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway. The cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by high glucose (25.5 mmol/L) and insulin (0.1 μ mol/L) (HGI) was characterized in rat primary cardiomyocyte by measuring the cell surface area, protein content, and atrial natriuretic factor mRNA expression level. Protein and mRNA expression were measured by western blot and real-time RT-PCR, respectively. The enzymatic activity of NO synthase (NOS) was measured using a spectrophotometric assay, and NO concentration was measured using the Griess assay. HGI significantly induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and decreased the expression of PPAR α and endothelial NOS at the mRNA and protein levels, which occurred in parallel with declining NOS activity and NO concentration. The effect of HGI was inhibited by berberine (0.1 to 100 μ mol/L), fenofibrate (0.3 μ mol/L), or L-arginine (100 μ mol/L). MK886 (0.3 μ mol/L), a selective PPAR α antagonist, could abolish the effects of berberine and fenofibrate. N (G) -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (100 μ mol/L), a NOS inhibitor, could block the effects of L-arginine, but only partially blocked the effects of berberine. These results suggest that berberine can blunt HGI-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro, through the activation of the PPAR α /NO signaling pathway....(more)
Wang M, et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2013;2013:285489.
Related Products: Berberine
- 25. The anti-diabetic effects and pharmacokinetic profiles of berberine in mice treated with Jiao-Tai-Wan and its compatibility.
Jiao-Tai-Wan (JTW), a classical Chinese prescription, has been clinically employed to treat diabetes mellitus in recent years. To investigate the comparative evaluations on anti-diabetic effects and pharmacokinetics of the active ingredient berberine in mice treated with JTW in various combinations of its constituent herbs. In our study, the anti-diabetic study was carried out in diabetic mice induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The diabetic mice were randomly assigned to three therapy groups and orally administered with different prescription proportions of Rhizoma Coptidis and Cinnamomum cassia respectively. The level of plasma glucose, lipid profile and parameters related to oxidative stress were determined. The concentrations of berberine in non-diabetic mice plasma were determined using HPLC, and main pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated. The results indicated that the compatibility effects of ingredients present in Cinnamomum cassia could affect the anti-diabetic ability and pharmacokinetics of berberine in JTW....(more)
Chen G, et al. Phytomedicine 2013 Apr 9.
Related Products: Berberine
- 26. Hypercrosslinked poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) resin as a specific polymeric adsorbent for purification of berberine hydrochloride from aqueous solutions.
A hypercrosslinked poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) resin (TEPA) was synthesized and characterized as a specific polymeric adsorbent for concentrating berberine hydrochloride from aqueous solutions. Three organic molecules of different sizes (2-naphthol, berberine hydrochloride, and Congo red) were used as target molecules to elucidate the molecular sieving effect of the TEPA adsorbent. Because the TEPA adsorbent has a pore structure consisting mainly of micropores and mesopores, the adsorption of 2-naphthol from aqueous solutions is very efficient due to the micropore filling effect. The adsorption of berberine hydrochloride mostly takes place in the mesopores as well as macropores, while the adsorption of Congo red mainly occurs in the macropores. The smaller adsorbate molecule (2-naphthol) reaches the adsorption equilibrium much faster than the larger ones (berberine hydrochloride and Congo red). An adsorption breakthrough experiment with an aqueous solution containing 2-naphthol and berberine hydrochloride demonstrated that the TEPA adsorbent could effectively remove 2-naphthol from berberine hydrochloride at 0-107 BV (bed volume, 1 BV=10ml), and the berberine hydrochloride concentration was increased from 66.7% to 99.4%, suggesting that this polymeric adsorbent is promising for purifying berberine hydrochloride and similar alkaloids from herbal plant extracts....(more)
Li Y, et al. J Colloid Interface Sci 2013 Jun 15;400:78-87.
Related Products: Berberine
- 27. Effects of berberine on rat jejunal motility.
OBJECTIVES:
The aim of the study was to evaluate berberine-induced bidirectional regulation on the contractility of jejunum.
METHODS:
Different low and high contractile states of isolated jejunal segment from rat were established to investigate the effects of berberine.
KEY FINDINGS:
Stimulatory effects on jejunal segment were exerted by berberine in six low contractile states and inhibitory effects were produced on jejunal segment in six high contractile states. The effects of berberine on myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) mRNA expression, MLCK protein content, and myosin phosphorylation in jejunum were also bidirectional. Bidirectional regulation was not observed in the presence of tetrodotoxin. No regulatory effects of berberine on jejunal contractility were observed in the presence of verapamil. The stimulatory effects of berberine on jejunal contractility were blocked by atropine. The inhibitory effects of berberine on jejunal contractility were abolished by phentolamine, propranolol and L-NG-nitro-arginine, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
Berberine-induced bidirectional regulation needed the presence of the enteric nervous system, and depended on the influx of extracellular Ca(2+) , related to the cholinergic system while jejunum was in low contractile states, and related to the adrenergic system and nitric oxide relaxing mechanism while jejunum was in high contractile states. The results suggested the potential clinical implication of berberine for alternating-type irritable bowel syndrome.
© 2013 The Authors. JPP © 2013 Royal Pharmaceutical Society....(more)
Chen DP, et al. J Pharm Pharmacol 2013 May;65(5):734-44.
Related Products: Berberine
- 28. Berberine inhibits the growth of human colorectal adenocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo.
Berberine is an alkaloid isolated from the Chinese herbal medicine Huanglian, and has long been used as an antibiotic. Its antineoplastic properties were subsequently discovered in vitro. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of berberine on the growth of human colorectal carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that berberine inhibited human colorectal adenocarcinoma (LoVo) cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. A WST-1 assay showed that the IC50 value after 72 h was 40.79 ± 4.11 μM. Cell cycle analysis of 40 μM berberine-treated LoVo cells by flow cytometry showed accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase. The inhibition of LoVo cell growth by berberine was associated with the suppression of cyclin B1, cdc2, and cdc25c proteins. Berberine at a dose of 50 mg kg<sup>-1</sup> day<sup>-1</sup> showed inhibitory rates of 45.3 % in a human colorectal adenocarcinoma xenograft in nude mice. The combination of berberine and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) had a higher inhibitory rate (59.8 %) than the berberine group (36.4 %, P = 0.01), but no significant difference was observed between the 5-FU group (43.0 %, P = 0.06) and the combination group. These results support the possibility that berberine may be useful as an alternative therapy for colorectal carcinoma....(more)
Cai Y, et al. J Nat Med 2013 Apr 21.
Related Products: Berberine
- 29. Development of self-microemulsifying drug delivery system for oral bioavailability enhancement of berberine hydrochloride.
The purpose of this study was to develop a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) to improve the oral bioavailability of Berberine hydrochloride (BBH), an important bioactive compound from Chinese Medicines with poor water solubility. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed using oil, surfactant and co-surfactant types to identify the efficient self-microemulsification region. SMEDDS was characterized by morphological observation, droplet size, zeta-potential determination, stability, in vitro release and in vivo bioavailability study. The optimal formulation with the best self-microemulsifying and solubilization ability consisted of 40% (w/w) of ethyl linoleate and oleic acid (2:1), 35% (w/w) Tween-80 and 25% (w/w) glycerol. The SMEDDS of BBH could exhibit good stability. In vitro release test showed a complete release of BBH from SMEDDS was in 5 h. In vivo results indicated that the peak plasma concentration (C(max)) and the area under the curve (AUC(0→12 h)) of SMEDDS of BBH were higher than the commercial tablet by 163.4% and 154.2%, respectively. The relative bioavailability of SMEDDS of BBH was enhanced about 2.42-fold compared with the commercial tablet in rats. The study confirmed that the SMEDDS formulation could be used as a possible alternative to traditional oral formulations of BBH to improve its bioavailability....(more)
Zhu JX, et al. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2013 Mar;39(3):499-506.
Related Products: Berberine Hydrochloride
- 30. Evaluation of a 13-hexyl-berberine hydrochloride topical gel formulation.
13-hexyl-berberine hydrochloride (HB-13) is a derivative from berberine which finds widespread applications in the treatment of infectious pathogens including fungi, bacteria, parasites and viruses. As our continuing efforts for treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV), we studied the topical delivery and safety of HB-13 in a gel formulation (0.5%) in a pig model. Our studies demonstrated the maximal HB-13 concentration was 2.51 µg/mL, which was more than the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) as we previously reported. In addition, there was no sign of irritation or histological aberrance for stripped skin continuously applied with 0.5% HB-13 gel for 21 days. In conclusion, 0.5% HB-13 gel can achieve effective anti-HSV concentration in the dermis and it is safe to use....(more)
Wei HL, et al. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2013 Apr;39(4):534-9.
Related Products: Berberine Hydrochloride
- 31. Preparation and evaluation of orally disintegrating tablets containing taste-masked microcapsules of berberine hydrochloride.
The purpose of this study was to prepare and evaluate a taste-masked berberine hydrochloride orally disintegrating tablet for enhanced patient compliance. Taste masking was performed by coating berberine hydrochloride with Eudragit E100 using a fluidized bed. It was found that microcapsules with a drug-polymer ratio of 1:0.8 masked the bitter taste obviously. The microcapsules were formulated to orally disintegrating tablets and the optimized tablets containing 6% (w/w) crospovidone XL and 15% (w/w) microcrystalline cellulose showed the fastest disintegration, within 25.5 s, and had a pleasant taste. The dissolution profiles revealed that the taste-masked orally disintegrating tablets released the drug faster than commercial tablets in the first 10 min. However, their dissolution profiles were very similar after 10 min. The prepared taste-masked tablets remained stable after 6 months of storage. The pharmacokinetics of the taste-masked and commercial tablets was evaluated in rabbits. The Cmax, Tmax, and AUC0-24 values were not significantly different from each other, suggesting that the taste-masked orally disintegrating tablets are bioequivalent to commercial tablets in rabbits. These tablets will enhance patient compliance by masking taste and improve patients' quality of life....(more)
Hu X, et al. AAPS PharmSciTech 2013 Mar;14(1):29-37.
Related Products: Berberine Hydrochloride
- 32. Sensory evaluation of the taste of berberine hydrochloride using an Electronic Tongue.
BACKGROUND:
The "Electronic Tongue" is an instrument that can be trained to screen the taste attributes of formulations within a rapid timeframe when used in conjunction with sensory panel taste assessment data.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this research was to demonstrate that a sensory instrument for taste (e-Tongue) could be used to evaluate the bitterness of berberine hydrochloride from Chinese medicinal herbs.
METHODS:
Several flavorful native compounds were tested by the e-Tongue. Data from a human sensory panel was collected to train the e-Tongue. The e-Tongue was then used to establish the correlation between data from the sensory panel, and to predict the bitterness scores of berberine hydrochloride.
RESULTS:
The e-Tongue showed different response patterns for different tastes or strengths of flavor compounds. No significant differences were found between the results of the e-Tongue and the sensory taste panel.
CONCLUSIONS:
The e-Tongue could be used to evaluate the effect of bitterness of berberine hydrochloride. Therefore, e-Tongues showed potential to replace sensory panel evaluations in future experiments regarding Chinese traditional medicine.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved....(more)
Wang Y, et al. Fitoterapia 2013 Apr;86:137-43.
Related Products: Berberine Hydrochloride
- 33. Hypercrosslinked poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) resin as a specific polymeric adsorbent for purification of berberine hydrochloride from aqueous solutions.
A hypercrosslinked poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) resin (TEPA) was synthesized and characterized as a specific polymeric adsorbent for concentrating berberine hydrochloride from aqueous solutions. Three organic molecules of different sizes (2-naphthol, berberine hydrochloride, and Congo red) were used as target molecules to elucidate the molecular sieving effect of the TEPA adsorbent. Because the TEPA adsorbent has a pore structure consisting mainly of micropores and mesopores, the adsorption of 2-naphthol from aqueous solutions is very efficient due to the micropore filling effect. The adsorption of berberine hydrochloride mostly takes place in the mesopores as well as macropores, while the adsorption of Congo red mainly occurs in the macropores. The smaller adsorbate molecule (2-naphthol) reaches the adsorption equilibrium much faster than the larger ones (berberine hydrochloride and Congo red). An adsorption breakthrough experiment with an aqueous solution containing 2-naphthol and berberine hydrochloride demonstrated that the TEPA adsorbent could effectively remove 2-naphthol from berberine hydrochloride at 0-107 BV (bed volume, 1 BV=10ml), and the berberine hydrochloride concentration was increased from 66.7% to 99.4%, suggesting that this polymeric adsorbent is promising for purifying berberine hydrochloride and similar alkaloids from herbal plant extracts....(more)
Li Y, et al. J Colloid Interface Sci 2013 Jun 15;400:78-87.
Related Products: Berberine Hydrochloride
- 34. Berberine ameliorates COX-2 expression in rat small intestinal mucosa partially through PPARγ pathway during acute endotoxemia.
Berberine hydrochloride (BBR), a plant alkaloid, has been used to treat intestinal inflammation or infection for years. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is pro-inflammatory mediator and involved in the induction of gut inflammation. The expression of COX-2 in small bowel mucosa was determined and the mechanism by which BBR modulated COX-2 expression was explored in a rat model of endotoxemia induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results showed that without LPS stimulation COX-2 was constitutively expressed at low levels in control rats. LPS challenge rapidly induced COX-2 gene transcription resulting in high levels of inducible COX-2 expression in endotoxemic rats. BBR pre- and post-treatment had no marked effect on constitutive COX-2 expression but inhibited inducible COX-2 overexpression. LPS challenge increased the expression and phosphorylation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), p38 and activating transcription factor 2 and 3 (ATF2, ATF3), but the effects of LPS were inhibited by BBR treatment. GW9662 did not influence constitutive COX-2 expression but enhanced inducible COX-2 overproduction. Besides, GW9662 abolished the inhibitory effect of BBR on inducible COX-2, p38, ATF2, 3 expression and phosphorylation. Collectively, these results indicated that BBR gavage could attenuate the overexpression of inducible COX-2, not constitutive COX-2, in ileal mucosa during acute endotoxemia in part via activation of PPARγ pathway, which negatively interfered with p38/ATFs cascade....(more)
Feng AW, et al. Int Immunopharmacol 2012 Jan;12(1):182-8.
Related Products: Berberine Hydrochloride
- 35. Effect of berberine hydrochloride on grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella serum bactericidal activity against Edwardsiella ictaluri.
Bactericidal activity of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) serum was significantly enhanced when pre-treated with 15 mg l¹ or 3 mg l¹ of berberine hydrochloride, an effective component of several commonly used herbal medicines in aquaculture. The complement consumption experiment demonstrated that berberine hydrochloride can certainly activate fish complement system. The results of both experiments suggested that berberine hydrochloride could enhance the serum bactericidal activity in grass carp by activating the complement system and indicating the potential in the prevention or treatment of fish diseases....(more)
Ji C, et al. Fish Shellfish Immunol 2012 Jul;33(1):143-5.
Related Products: Berberine Hydrochloride