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Modulatory effect of berberine on plasma lipoprotein (or lipid) profile: a review

Molecular Biology Reports volume 49, pages 10885–10893 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

Berberine is a bioactive isoquinoline alkaloid compound extracted from various medicinal plants, such as Barberry. Berberine shows various pharmacological properties that are mainly attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. A growing body of evidence has shown that berberine influences cholesterol metabolism, and consequently, may ameliorate dyslipidemias and atherosclerosis. Plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is known to have an independent negative association with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, several outcomes trials and genetic studies have failed to meet expecting the beneficial effects of elevating plasma HDL-C concentrations. Hence, investigations are currently focused on enhancing the functionality of HDL particles, independent of their plasma concentrations. HDL particles show various qualities because of a heterogeneous composition. Consistent with complex metabolism and composition, various biological functions are found for HDL, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-thrombotic activities. Protective effects of berberine may impact the functionality of HDL; therefore, the present literature review was intended to determine whether berberine can amplify HDL function. It was concluded that berberine may regulate markers of HDL activity, such as apo-AI, cholesterol efflux, LCAT, PON1, and S1P activities and levels. Consequently, berberine may recuperate conditions with dysfunctional HDL and, therefore, have the potential to emerge as a therapeutic agent. However, further human trials of berberine are warranted to evaluate its impact on HDL function and cholesterol metabolism.

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Fig. 1

Data availability

The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Navid Nourizadeh

  2. Cancer Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Leila Vazifeh Mostaan

  3. Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Ehsan Saburi

  4. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Seyed Isaac Hashemy

  5. Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Seyed Isaac Hashemy

Authors
  1. Navid Nourizadeh
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  2. Leila Vazifeh Mostaan
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  3. Ehsan Saburi
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  4. Seyed Isaac Hashemy
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Contributions

Study conception or design: SEH, ES, LVM, and NN; Data collection and draft manuscript preparation: SEH, ES; Critical revision of the paper: SEH, ES, LVM, and NN; Final approval of the version to be published SEH, ES, LVM, and NN.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Ehsan Saburi or Seyed Isaac Hashemy.

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The authors declare any conflict of interest. Research is not involving Human Participants and/or Animals.

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Nourizadeh, N., Vazifeh Mostaan, L., Saburi, E. et al. Modulatory effect of berberine on plasma lipoprotein (or lipid) profile: a review. Mol Biol Rep 49, 10885–10893 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-022-07623-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-022-07623-7

Keywords

  • Berberine
  • Cholesterol efflux
  • Dyslipidemia
  • High-density lipoprotein