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Berberine inhibited carotid atherosclerosis through PI3K/AKTmTOR signaling pathway

Ting Song1, Wei Da Chen2

  • 1Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China.

Bioengineered
|October 1, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Berberine (BBR) effectively reduces atherosclerosis in ApoE knockout mice by lowering lipids and improving vascular health. This natural compound may offer a new therapeutic option for preventing and treating atherosclerosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a complex vascular disease driven by lipid disorders and inflammation.
  • Current treatments for atherosclerosis have limitations, necessitating novel therapeutic agents.
  • Berberine (BBR), a natural product, shows promise for anti-atherosclerosis effects, but its mechanism remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism by which Berberine (BBR) ameliorates carotid atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice.
  • To elucidate BBR's effects on lipid metabolism, vascular remodeling, and cellular processes in atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to induce atherosclerosis.
  • Mice were treated with Berberine (BBR) to evaluate its therapeutic effects.
  • Serum lipid levels, intimal hyperplasia, and carotid lipid accumulation were assessed.
  • The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, autophagy, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • BBR treatment significantly reduced serum lipid levels in ApoE-/- mice.
  • BBR improved intimal hyperplasia and reduced lipid accumulation in the carotid arteries.
  • BBR modulated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, regulated autophagy, promoted cell proliferation, and inhibited apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Berberine (BBR) effectively ameliorates carotid atherosclerosis in a mouse model.
  • BBR exerts its protective effects by regulating lipid metabolism, vascular inflammation, and cellular signaling pathways.
  • Berberine (BBR) represents a potential therapeutic candidate for atherosclerosis treatment.

Keywords:
Carotid atherosclerosisberberineendothelial dysfunctionsignaling pathway

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