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PubMed · 17125739

Berberine alters the processing of Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein to decrease Abeta secretion.

Masashi Asai·Nobuhisa Iwata·Ayumu Yoshikawa·Yoshimi Aizaki·Shoichi Ishiura·Takaomi C Saido·Kei Maruyama
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Abstract

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Coptidis rhizoma, a major herb widely used in Chinese herbal medicine. Berberine's biological activity includes antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Recent findings show that berberine prevents neuronal damage due to ischemia or oxidative stress and that it might act as a novel cholesterol-lowering compound. The accumulation of amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) derived from amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a triggering event leading to the pathological cascade of Alzheimer's disease (AD); therefore the inhibition of Abeta production should be a rational therapeutic strategy in the prevention and treatment of AD. Here, we report that berberine reduces Abeta levels by modulating APP processing in human neuroglioma H4 cells stably expressing Swedish-type of APP at the range of berberine concentration without cellular toxicity. Our results indicate that berberine would be a promising candidate for the treatment of AD.

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Amyloid beta-PeptidesAmyloid beta-Protein PrecursorBerberineCell LineCell SurvivalDose-Response Relationship, DrugGene ExpressionHumansNeurogliaJournal Article

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Masashi Asai, Nobuhisa Iwata, Ayumu Yoshikawa, Yoshimi Aizaki, Shoichi Ishiura, Takaomi C Saido, Kei Maruyama. 2006-11-15. Berberine alters the processing of Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein to decrease Abeta secretion.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.11.043

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