Inhibitory effect of berberine on the TNF‐α‐induced Expression of IL‐8 and MCP‐1 is mediated through suppression of NF‐κB activation in HT29 Human Colon Epithelial Cells

Abstract

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including anti‐inflammation. In this study, we examined the effects of berberine on the TNF‐α‐induced chemokine expression in HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells that were used as an in vitro model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Since the activation and recruitment of leukocytes to the inflamed tissue is an important step initiating IBD, we evaluated the effect of berberine on the adhesion of U937 monocytic cells to HT29 colon epithelial cells. Berberine significantly inhibited the TNF‐α‐induced monocyte adhesion to HT29 cells in a concentration‐dependent manner. Co‐treatment of the TNF‐α‐stimulated HT29 cells with berberine concentration‐dependently inhibited the mRNA expression of IL‐8 and MCP‐1, important mediators involved in the pathologic process of IBD. In addition, the ratio of the firefly and renilla luciferase activities (F/R) was used as an indicator of the NF‐κB activity in the cells. TNF‐α significantly increased the F/R ratio in the cells, and this was significantly inhibited by berberine in a concentration‐dependent manner. The results suggest that berberine may be a potential candidate to suppress the colon inflammation by inhibiting TNF‐α‐induced pro‐inflammatory cytokines.