Diverse Molecular Mechanisms of Berberine Action—Identifying Potential Targets and Therapeutic Potential
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2026 | Viewed by 330
Editor
Interests: pathophysiology; inflammation; nutraceuticals; blood–brain barrier; diabetic pregnancy; epigenetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Berberine (BBR) is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid that modulates a diverse range of biological activities by interacting with multiple molecular targets and intracellular signaling pathways. BBR is a substance found in a variety of plants, including goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.), barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.), Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium L.) and others. Plants containing BBR have a long history of use in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. The potential health-promoting effects of BBR result from the activation of the enzyme 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK; EC 2.7.11.31), the "metabolic master switch", which boosts glucose uptake and fat burning (oxidation) and improves insulin sensitivity, thereby shifting the body’s metabolic balance toward energy expenditure through stimulation of catabolic pathways and inhibition of anabolic pathways. In addition to metabolic regulation that helps maintain a healthy body weight, BBR exhibits antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties and also has neuroprotective effects.
Despite significant challenges associated with the safe and effective therapeutic use of BBR in clinical practice—resulting from its inadequate bioavailability and poor solubility—laboratory test results continue to expand the range of its potential therapeutic applications.
This Special Issue is dedicated to all aspects of the beneficial effects of BBR that have been confirmed under laboratory conditions and therefore provide a rationale for the further development and continuation of these studies with a view to their translation into clinical practice. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. When considering your submission, please note that IJMS is a journal of molecular science; therefore, the manuscripts submitted for review should be of an appropriate “molecular” nature.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Prof. Dr. Dariusz Szukiewicz
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- berberine
- isoquinoline alkaloid
- AMPK activator
- natural compound
- metabolic syndrome
- wieight loss
- antioxidant effects
- anti-inflammatory effects
- antitumor activity
- neuroprotection
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