Chapter 14 - Berberine neuroprotection and antioxidant activity

Abstract

The excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in nervous tissues is considered one of the major risk factors of neurodegenerative diseases. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid occurs as an active constituent in the root, stem bark, and rhizome of many medicinal plants, including Berberis vulgaris, Berberis aristata, and Coptis chinensis. Experimental and clinical research projects have demonstrated a broad spectrum of pharmacological effects including neuroprotective, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic, antihypertensive, antiarrhythmic, anticancer, antiinflammatory, and analgesic activity of berberine. This alkaloid has potential to exert neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), cerebral ischemia, schizophrenia, and multiple sclerosis (MS). The antioxidant capacity of berberine is the most important mechanism in its neuroprotection properties. This antioxidant activity is via direct scavenging activity and through upregulating P13K/AKT/Bcl-2 and Nrf2/HO-1-pathway. The additional mechanisms involved in neuroprotective role of berberine are antiapoptosis, antiinflammation, the modulation of neurotransmitter levels, and regulation of main neurological enzymes. This chapter attempts to summarize the mechanisms, which actually play roles in neuroprotective effects of berberine in neurodegenerative diseases. A central focus has been maintained on the antioxidant mechanisms and pathways reflecting the neuroprotection activity of berberine in different CNS diseases including ADs, PDs, cerebral ischemia, MS, etc.