Next Article in Journal
ATP13A2-Mediated Spermine Export Modulates Lipid Catabolism in the Endolysosomal System of SH-SY5Y Cells
Previous Article in Journal
Structural Communication Between C-Peptide and Insulin Within the Proinsulin Molecule
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
IJMS
Volume 27
Issue 1
10.3390/ijms27010485
ijms-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Review

Mitochondrial Health Through Nicotinamide Riboside and Berberine: Shared Pathways and Therapeutic Potential

by
Federico Visalli
1,†,
Matteo Capobianco
1,†,
Francesco Cappellani
2,3,
Lorenzo Rapisarda
4,
Alfonso Spinello
3,
Alessandro Avitabile
5,
Ludovica Cannizzaro
5,
Caterina Gagliano
2,3,‡ and
Marco Zeppieri
6,7,*,‡
1
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
2
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna “Kore”, 94100 Enna, Italy
3
Mediterranean Foundation “G.B. Morgagni”, 95125 Catania, Italy
4
Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale 8 Siracusa, Presidio Ospedaliero Umberto I, 96100, Siracusa, Italy
5
Faculty of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
6
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
7
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work and shared the first authorship.
‡
These authors contributed equally to this work and shared the last authorship.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(1), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010485 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 28 November 2025 / Revised: 22 December 2025 / Accepted: 30 December 2025 / Published: 2 January 2026
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Mitochondrial dysfunction represents a central hallmark of aging and a broad spectrum of chronic diseases, ranging from metabolic to neurodegenerative and ocular disorders. Nicotinamide riboside (NR), a vitamin B3 derivative and efficient precursor of NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), and berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid widely investigated in metabolic regulation, have independently emerged as promising mitochondrial modulators. NR enhances cellular NAD+ pools, thereby activating sirtuin-dependent pathways, stimulating PGC-1α–mediated mitochondrial biogenesis, and triggering the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt). BBR, by contrast, primarily activates AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) and interacts with respiratory complex I, improving bioenergetics, reducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, and promoting mitophagy and organelle quality control. Importantly, despite distinct upstream mechanisms, NR and BBR converge on shared signaling pathways that support mitochondrial health, including redox balance, metabolic flexibility, and immunometabolic regulation. Unlike previous reviews addressing these compounds separately, this article integrates current preclinical and clinical findings to provide a unified perspective on their converging actions. We critically discuss translational opportunities as well as limitations, including heterogeneous clinical outcomes and the need for robust biomarkers of mitochondrial function. By outlining overlapping and complementary mechanisms, we highlight NR and BBR as rational combinatorial strategies to restore mitochondrial resilience. This integrative perspective may guide the design of next-generation clinical trials and advance precision approaches in mitochondrial medicine.
Keywords: nicotinamide riboside; nicotinamide; berberine; NAD+ metabolism; mitochondrial dysfunction; retinal ganglion cells; neuroprotection; oxidative stress; cardiometabolic disease nicotinamide riboside; nicotinamide; berberine; NAD+ metabolism; mitochondrial dysfunction; retinal ganglion cells; neuroprotection; oxidative stress; cardiometabolic disease

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Visalli, F.; Capobianco, M.; Cappellani, F.; Rapisarda, L.; Spinello, A.; Avitabile, A.; Cannizzaro, L.; Gagliano, C.; Zeppieri, M. Mitochondrial Health Through Nicotinamide Riboside and Berberine: Shared Pathways and Therapeutic Potential. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27, 485. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010485

AMA Style

Visalli F, Capobianco M, Cappellani F, Rapisarda L, Spinello A, Avitabile A, Cannizzaro L, Gagliano C, Zeppieri M. Mitochondrial Health Through Nicotinamide Riboside and Berberine: Shared Pathways and Therapeutic Potential. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2026; 27(1):485. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010485

Chicago/Turabian Style

Visalli, Federico, Matteo Capobianco, Francesco Cappellani, Lorenzo Rapisarda, Alfonso Spinello, Alessandro Avitabile, Ludovica Cannizzaro, Caterina Gagliano, and Marco Zeppieri. 2026. "Mitochondrial Health Through Nicotinamide Riboside and Berberine: Shared Pathways and Therapeutic Potential" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 27, no. 1: 485. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010485

APA Style

Visalli, F., Capobianco, M., Cappellani, F., Rapisarda, L., Spinello, A., Avitabile, A., Cannizzaro, L., Gagliano, C., & Zeppieri, M. (2026). Mitochondrial Health Through Nicotinamide Riboside and Berberine: Shared Pathways and Therapeutic Potential. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27(1), 485. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010485

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Article metric data becomes available approximately 24 hours after publication online.
Back to TopTop