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Berberine triggers apoptosis through the PI3K/Akt pathways and Nrf2 by inducing ROS in papillary thyroid cancer

Jing Li1, Ziyi Zhu2, Jing Ni3

  • 1Department of Endocrinology, The General Hospital of Central Theater Command, Wuhan, 430070, China; The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510180, China.

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
|May 28, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Berberine (BBR) effectively inhibits papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) growth by targeting the Nrf2 pathway. This natural compound promotes cancer cell death and may offer a new therapeutic strategy for PTC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is overexpressed in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), correlating with poor patient outcomes.
  • Berberine (BBR) demonstrates potential anticancer properties by reducing Nrf2 levels and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms of BBR's anticancer effects in PTC require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anticancer effects of Berberine (BBR) on papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) cells.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying BBR's efficacy in PTC.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of BBR for PTC treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Cell apoptosis was assessed using MTT assays and flow cytometry.
  • In vivo antitumor efficacy was evaluated using a xenograft mouse model.
  • Molecular and biochemical techniques were employed to determine BBR's mechanism of action.

Main Results:

  • BBR significantly inhibited PTC cell proliferation and induced apoptosis.
  • Administration of BBR via gavage reduced xenograft tumor development in vivo.
  • BBR was found to inhibit the Nrf2-dependent PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, leading to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Conclusions:

  • BBR targets PTC by inhibiting the Nrf2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways via ROS generation.
  • These findings suggest that BBR holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for papillary thyroid cancer.
Keywords:
BerberineNuclear factor E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2)PI3K/AktPapillary thyroid cancerROS

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