Berberine

extracted from Coptis chinensis

Phellodendron amurense and other herbs

is a kind of alkaloid with significant antibacterial effects.Ithas been used in the treatment of bacterial gastroenteritis

dysentery and other gastrointestinal diseases for a long time.In recent years

other pharmacological activities of berberine have beengradually discovered.The studies have shown that berberine has significant effects on the cardiovascular system

nervous system

endocrine system

especially effective for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis

and berberine can also increase the sensitivity of insulin to treat diabetes.In addition

it is found that berberine has anti-inflammatory actions and anti-cancer effects.Berberine can kill tumor cells

inhibit proliferation of tumor cells and induce apoptosis of tumor cells.Berberine can also affect the ion channels of biomembrane such as calcium ion and potassium ion to adjust the electrolyte balance.Because of the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation actions

it is also used to treat peptic ulcer.In this report

the actions and mechanism of berberine were summed up

including the effects of berberine on the cardiovascular system

nervous system

endocrine system and the pharmacological effects of anti-inflammatory

anti-bacterial

and anti-cancer actions

as well as its effects onion channels

cyclin

and extracellular matrix.The actions and mechanism of berberine have obtained more and more attention

especially anti-cancer effects

indicating there will be new progress in the study on traditional Chinese medicines and prescriptions containing berberine.The summary of actions and mechanism of berberine would be helpful to improve the clinical applicationsof berberineand R&D of new drugs.