A Comprehensive Review Highlighting the Prospects of Phytonutrient Berberine as an Anticancer Agent
(2025) In Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology 39(1).- Abstract
Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid derived from various medicinal plants, emerges as a potential therapeutic agent against diverse human diseases. It has particularly shown notable anticancer efficacy against breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, and liver cancer. Berberine results in inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and suppressing angiogenesis, positioning it as a versatile, multitargeted therapeutic tool against cancer. Notably, berberine enhances the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, mitigating associated drug resistance. Mechanistically, it has been shown to exert its efficacy by targeting molecules like nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and... (More)
Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid derived from various medicinal plants, emerges as a potential therapeutic agent against diverse human diseases. It has particularly shown notable anticancer efficacy against breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, and liver cancer. Berberine results in inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and suppressing angiogenesis, positioning it as a versatile, multitargeted therapeutic tool against cancer. Notably, berberine enhances the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, mitigating associated drug resistance. Mechanistically, it has been shown to exert its efficacy by targeting molecules like nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, thereby inhibiting survival pathways and promoting apoptosis of cancer cells. Moreover, berberine influences the expression of tumor suppressor genes, curtails cancer cell migration and invasion, and modulates the tumour microenvironment. Despite promising preclinical evidence, further research is essential to comprehensively elucidate its mechanisms of action and evaluate its safety and efficacy in clinical settings. In the present review, we have highlighted the pharmacokinetics, biosynthesis, and recent research work done pertaining to berberine's strong anticancer activity. We have also emphasised on the research being done on nanoformulations of berberine, which aim to improve its stability and bioavailability.
(Less)
- author
- Haque, Shafiul
; Mathkor, Darin Mansor
; Bhat, Sajad Ahmad
; Musayev, Abdugani
; Khituova, Lidiya
; Ramniwas, Seema
; Phillips, Enosh
; Swamy, Nitin
; Kumar, Suneel
; Yerer, Mukerrem Betul
; Tuli, Hardeep Singh
and Yadav, Vikas
LU
(Less) - organization
- publishing date
- 2025-01
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- angiogenesis, bioavailability, multifaceted, therapeutic
- in
- Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology
- volume
- 39
- issue
- 1
- article number
- e70073
- publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Inc.
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:39717894
- scopus:85213025291
- ISSN
- 1095-6670
- DOI
- 10.1002/jbt.70073
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- b7c565c8-2e68-4444-b9ef-328bd4ad9b45
- date added to LUP
- 2025-03-04 11:17:35
- date last changed
- 2025-07-09 09:00:00
@article{b7c565c8-2e68-4444-b9ef-328bd4ad9b45,
abstract = {{<p>Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid derived from various medicinal plants, emerges as a potential therapeutic agent against diverse human diseases. It has particularly shown notable anticancer efficacy against breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, and liver cancer. Berberine results in inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and suppressing angiogenesis, positioning it as a versatile, multitargeted therapeutic tool against cancer. Notably, berberine enhances the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, mitigating associated drug resistance. Mechanistically, it has been shown to exert its efficacy by targeting molecules like nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, thereby inhibiting survival pathways and promoting apoptosis of cancer cells. Moreover, berberine influences the expression of tumor suppressor genes, curtails cancer cell migration and invasion, and modulates the tumour microenvironment. Despite promising preclinical evidence, further research is essential to comprehensively elucidate its mechanisms of action and evaluate its safety and efficacy in clinical settings. In the present review, we have highlighted the pharmacokinetics, biosynthesis, and recent research work done pertaining to berberine's strong anticancer activity. We have also emphasised on the research being done on nanoformulations of berberine, which aim to improve its stability and bioavailability.</p>}},
author = {{Haque, Shafiul and Mathkor, Darin Mansor and Bhat, Sajad Ahmad and Musayev, Abdugani and Khituova, Lidiya and Ramniwas, Seema and Phillips, Enosh and Swamy, Nitin and Kumar, Suneel and Yerer, Mukerrem Betul and Tuli, Hardeep Singh and Yadav, Vikas}},
issn = {{1095-6670}},
keywords = {{angiogenesis; bioavailability; multifaceted; therapeutic}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{1}},
publisher = {{John Wiley & Sons Inc.}},
series = {{Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology}},
title = {{A Comprehensive Review Highlighting the Prospects of Phytonutrient Berberine as an Anticancer Agent}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbt.70073}},
doi = {{10.1002/jbt.70073}},
volume = {{39}},
year = {{2025}},
}