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Berberine as a Potential Anticancer Agent: A Comprehensive Review

Authors :
Abdur Rauf
Tareq Abu-Izneid
Anees Ahmed Khalil
Muhammad Imran
Zafar Ali Shah
Talha Bin Emran
Saikat Mitra
Zidan Khan
Fahad A. Alhumaydhi
Abdullah S. M. Aljohani
Ishaq Khan
Md. Mominur Rahman
Philippe Jeandet
Tanweer Aslam Gondal
Source :
Molecules, Vol 26, Iss 23, p 7368 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2021.

Abstract

Berberine (BBR), a potential bioactive agent, has remarkable health benefits. A substantial amount of research has been conducted to date to establish the anticancer potential of BBR. The present review consolidates salient information concerning the promising anticancer activity of this compound. The therapeutic efficacy of BBR has been reported in several studies regarding colon, breast, pancreatic, liver, oral, bone, cutaneous, prostate, intestine, and thyroid cancers. BBR prevents cancer cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and controlling the cell cycle as well as autophagy. BBR also hinders tumor cell invasion and metastasis by down-regulating metastasis-related proteins. Moreover, BBR is also beneficial in the early stages of cancer development by lowering epithelial–mesenchymal transition protein expression. Despite its significance as a potentially promising drug candidate, there are currently no pure berberine preparations approved to treat specific ailments. Hence, this review highlights our current comprehensive knowledge of sources, extraction methods, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profiles of berberine, as well as the proposed mechanisms of action associated with its anticancer potential. The information presented here will help provide a baseline for researchers, scientists, and drug developers regarding the use of berberine as a promising candidate in treating different types of cancers.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14203049
Volume :
26
Issue :
23
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Molecules
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.180cf6dad409bb6cea7e6ef0a7076
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237368