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Updated: Aug 2, 2025
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Published on: May 21, 2018
Berberine Alleviates Acute Lung Injury in Septic Mice by Modulating Treg/Th17 Homeostasis and Downregulating NF-κB
Longwang Chen1, Xinyong Liu2, Xuetao Wang3
1Department of Emergency, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Purpose:
A common complication of sepsis is acute lung injury (ALI), which is associated with an acute onset, rapid disease changes, and high mortality. Regulatory T (Treg) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells comprise CD4+ T cell subsets, which strongly influence inflammation during ALI. In this study, we investigated the effect of berberine (BBR), an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory drug, on the inflammatory response and immune state in mice with sepsis.
Methods:
A mouse model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was established. The mice were intragastrically administered 50 mg/kg BBR. We used histological techniques to evaluate inflammatory tissue injury and flow cytometry for analyzing Treg/Th17 levels. We also assessed NF-κB signaling pathways by Western blotting assays and immunofluorescence staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the content of cytokines.
Results:
Treatment with BBR considerably mitigated lung injury while improving survival, post-cecal ligation, and puncture (CLP). Treatment with BBR ameliorated pulmonary edema and hypoxemia in septic mice and inhibited the NF-κB signaling pathway. BBR also increased Treg cells and decreased Th17 proportions in the spleen and lung tissue of CLP-treated mice. Blocking Treg cells weakened the protective effect of BBR on sepsis-associated lung injury.
Conclusion:
Overall, these results suggested that BBR is a potential therapeutic agent for sepsis.
