[Anticomplement activity of Mahonia aquifolium bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids and berberine extract]

Crude extracts obtained from the stem bark of Mahonia aquifolium have been investigated as to the chemical composition and anticomplementary activity. The results show that their anticomplementary activity is mainly due to the alkaloid components. Especially the BBI alkaloid fraction and berberine showed a strong inhibitory effect on CH50 total hemolytic complement assay. The crude extract of M. aquifolium was less active than berberine or the fraction BBI alkaloids. The results indicate that the fraction of BBI alkaloids and berberine largely account for the immunomodulatory activity of the crude extract of M. aquifolium.