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Berberine Toxicity Profile in Experimental Models as a Basis for Assessing Its Biological Safety
Anna Karczmarzyk1, Danuta Wojcieszyńska1, Agnieszka Nowak1
1Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Silesia in Katowice, Jagiellońska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 4, 2026
Summary
Berberine supplementation may alter bacterial membranes, impacting the environmental microbiome. However, it did not cause oxidative cell damage and showed similar toxicity across different organisms, suggesting universal cellular mechanisms are involved.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Berberine is a natural alkaloid prevalent in traditional medicine.
- Increased environmental berberine concentrations from supplement use pose a knowledge gap regarding ecological impact.
- Understanding berberine's ecotoxicity is crucial for environmental safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the toxicity of berberine on microorganisms and organisms across different trophic levels.
- To investigate the environmental impact of elevated berberine concentrations.
- To determine if berberine induces oxidative cell damage.
Main Methods:
- Assessed berberine toxicity on bacterial membranes and environmental microbiome.
- Conducted toxicity tests on model organisms: *Tetrahymena*, *Selenastrum*, and *Heterocypris*.
- Analyzed for signs of oxidative cell damage.
Main Results:
- Berberine influenced bacterial membrane reorganization, potentially harming the environmental microbiome.
- Oxidative cell damage was not observed; protective effects were noted at tested concentrations.
- *Tetrahymena*, *Selenastrum*, and *Heterocypris* exhibited similar berberine toxicity levels.
Conclusions:
- Berberine's ecotoxicity is not species-specific, indicating a reliance on universal cellular mechanisms.
- The environmental microbiome may be negatively affected by berberine.
- Further research is needed to fully understand berberine's environmental fate and effects.
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