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Berberine and Tinospora cordifolia exert a potential anticancer effect on colon cancer cells by acting on specific

Annalisa Palmieri1, Luca Scapoli1, Anastasia Iapichino1

  • 1Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology
|October 31, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Berberine (BBR), a natural compound, shows anticancer potential by down-regulating key genes involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. Its presence in Tinospora cordifolia extract contributes significantly to the plant's antiproliferative effects.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Berberine (BBR) is a natural compound with demonstrated potential for antitumor activity.
  • BBR influences multiple cell signaling pathways crucial for cancer progression, including proliferation, differentiation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anticancer mechanisms of BBR.
  • To compare the effects of purified BBR with Tinospora cordifolia extract on gene expression in colon cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to quantify the expression of 44 selected genes.
  • Human colon adenocarcinoma (HCA-7) cells were treated with purified BBR and Tinospora cordifolia extract.
  • Gene expression analysis was performed at different time points and dosages.

Main Results:

  • Berberine treatment led to a time- and dose-dependent down-regulation of 33 genes.
  • Affected genes were involved in cell cycle, differentiation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
  • Similar trends in gene expression were observed for both purified BBR and the plant extract.

Conclusions:

  • Berberine significantly impacts cancer-related gene expression, supporting its role in antiproliferative activity.
  • The findings indicate that BBR is a major contributor to the anticancer effects of Tinospora cordifolia extract.
Keywords:
Tinospora cordifoliaberberinecolorectal cancergene expressionliquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

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