Berberine / AntiBio Cancer Research Results

BBR, Berberine: Click to Expand ⟱
Features:

Berberine — Berberine is a protoberberine/isoquinoline alkaloid natural product found in plants such as Coptis, Berberis, and Phellodendron. It is a small-molecule phytochemical with pleiotropic metabolic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer signaling effects rather than a single highly selective target profile. Its standard abbreviation is BBR. In oncology it is best classified as a multitarget natural-product lead compound and adjunct-sensitizer candidate, with strong preclinical evidence but no established standard anticancer regulatory use. Its translational profile is shaped by very low conventional oral bioavailability, extensive first-pass metabolism, broad tissue distribution, and substantial context dependence between cancer-cell pro-death effects and normal-cell cytoprotective redox effects.

Primary mechanisms (ranked):

  1. AMPK-centered metabolic stress with mitochondrial dysfunction, ATP depletion, and apoptosis/autophagy induction
  2. Suppression of aerobic glycolysis and hypoxia signaling, including HIF-1α, GLUT1, HK2, LDHA, and PKM2-linked tumor metabolism
  3. Anti-proliferative cell-cycle control with cyclin/CDK suppression and tumor suppressor reactivation
  4. Inhibition of PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK, JAK/STAT, and NF-κB inflammatory-survival signaling
  5. Anti-metastatic and anti-EMT activity via Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β/Smad, FAK/RhoA/ROCK, MMPs, and CXCR4-related programs
  6. Pro-oxidant mitochondrial ROS elevation and ER-stress/caspase signaling in many cancer models, with opposite antioxidant/NRF2-supportive effects in some normal-cell and non-cancer settings
  7. Context-dependent chemosensitization and radiosensitization, including effects on hypoxia signaling and DNA-repair competence
  8. Emerging ferroptosis-related activity in some tumor models, but not a universal dominant mechanism across berberine biology

Bioavailability / PK relevance: Conventional oral berberine has poor systemic bioavailability, often cited as below 1% in animal studies, because of limited absorption, P-glycoprotein efflux, first-pass intestinal/hepatic metabolism, and self-aggregation. Human exposure is usually in the low ng/mL plasma range with conventional dosing, while multiple metabolites may contribute to activity. Tissue distribution can exceed plasma levels, but PK remains a major clinical translation constraint.

In-vitro vs systemic exposure relevance: Many anticancer in-vitro studies use roughly 10–100 µM, commonly around 20–50 µM, which usually exceeds readily achievable conventional plasma exposure after standard oral dosing. Therefore, direct translation of cell-culture potency to systemic monotherapy expectations is limited unless local gut exposure, tissue accumulation, metabolite contribution, formulation enhancement, or combination use is specifically relevant.

Clinical evidence status: Strong preclinical and mechanistic evidence; limited early human oncology/chemoprevention evidence; no established phase III anticancer efficacy standard and no mainstream regulatory approval as an anticancer drug. Current clinical relevance is best viewed as investigational and adjunct-oriented rather than proven standalone oncology therapy.

Berberine is a chemical found in some plants like European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, phellodendron, and tree turmeric. Berberine is a bitter-tasting and yellow-colored chemical.
Coptis (commonly referring to Coptidis Rhizoma, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb) contains bioactive alkaloids (most notably berberine and coptisine) that have been studied for their pharmacological effects—including their influence on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and related pathways.

– Berberine is known for its relatively low oral bioavailability, often cited at less than 1%. This low bioavailability is mainly due to poor intestinal absorption and active efflux by transport proteins such as P-glycoprotein.
– Despite the low bioavailability, berberine is still pharmacologically active, and its metabolites may also contribute to its overall effects.

• Effective Dosage in Studies
– Many clinical trials or preclinical studies use dosages in the range of 500 to 1500 mg per day, typically administered in divided doses.
– Therefore, to obtain a bioactive dose of berberine, supplementation in a standardized extract form is necessary.

-IC50 in cancer cell lines: Approximately 10–100 µM (commonly around 20–50 µM in many models)
-IC50 in normal cell lines: Generally higher (often above 100 µM), although this can vary with cell type
- In vivo studies: Dosing regimens in animal models generally range from about 50 to 200 mg/kg
- very effective AChE inhibitor (Alzheimers)
- Berberine may enhance the effects of blood-thinning medications like warfarin and aspirin.


-Note half-life reports vary 2.5-90hrs?.
-low solubility of apigenin in water : BioAv
Pathways:
- induce ROS production
- ROS↑ related: MMP↓(ΔΨm), ER Stress↑, Ca+2↑, Cyt‑c↑, Caspases↑, DNA damage↑, UPR↑, cl-PARP↑, HSP↓
- Lowers AntiOxidant defense in Cancer Cells: NRF2↓, GSH↓
- Raises AntiOxidant defense in Normal Cells: NRF2↑, SOD↑, GSH↑, Catalase↑,
- lowers Inflammation : NF-kB↓, COX2↓, p38↓, Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines : IL-1β↓, TNF-α↓, IL-6↓, IL-8↓
- PI3K/AKT(Inhibition), JAK/STATs, Wnt/β-catenin, AMPK, MAPK/ERK, and JNK.
- inhibit Growth/Metastases : , MMPs↓, MMP2↓, MMP9↓, IGF-1↓, uPA↓, VEGF↓, ROCK1↓, FAK↓, RhoA↓, NF-κB↓, CXCR4↓, TGF-β↓, α-SMA↓, ERK↓
- reactivate genes thereby inhibiting cancer cell growth : HDAC↓, DNMT1↓, EZH2↓, P53↑, HSP↓
- cause Cell cycle arrest : TumCCA↑, cyclin D1↓, cyclin E↓, CDK2↓, CDK4↓, CDK6↓,
- inhibits Migration/Invasion : TumCMig↓, TumCI↓, FAK↓, ERK↓,
- inhibits glycolysis /Warburg Effect and ATP depletion : HIF-1α↓, PKM2↓, cMyc↓, GLUT1↓, LDH↓, LDHA↓, HK2↓, PFKs↓, PDKs↓, Glucose↓, GlucoseCon↓
- inhibits angiogenesis↓ : VEGF↓, HIF-1α↓, Notch↓, FGF↓, PDGF↓, EGFR↓, Integrins↓,
- inhibits Cancer Stem Cells : CSC↓, Hh↓, GLi1↓, CD133↓, β-catenin↓, n-myc↓, sox2↓, notch2↓, nestin↓, OCT4↓,
- Others: PI3K↓, AKT↓, JAK↓, STAT↓, Wnt↓, β-catenin↓, AMPK↓, α↓, ERK↓, JNK,
- Synergies: chemo-sensitization, chemoProtective, RadioSensitizer, RadioProtective, Others(review target notes), Neuroprotective, Cognitive, Renoprotection, Hepatoprotective, CardioProtective,
- Selectivity: Cancer Cells vs Normal Cells

Rank Pathway / Target Axis Direction Primary Effect Notes / Cancer Relevance Ref
1 AMPK → mTOR axis ↑ AMPK / ↓ mTOR signaling Metabolic stress + growth suppression In vivo/in vitro colon tumorigenesis model: berberine activates AMPK, inhibits mTOR signaling and reduces proliferation/tumorigenesis, growth suppression, autophagy, HIF-1α ↓, glycolysis ↓, berberine’s known mitochondrial/energetic effects (ref)
2 Mitochondrial dysfunction / ROS generation ↑ ROS / mitochondrial stress Upstream metabolic trigger Berberine inhibits mitochondrial function, increases ROS, and contributes to AMPK activation and downstream apoptosis (ref)
3 Mitochondrial apoptosis (cytochrome c release) ↑ cytochrome c release Intrinsic death signaling Oral cancer model: berberine reduces mitochondrial membrane potential, releases cytochrome c, activates caspase-3 (ref)
4 Intrinsic apoptosis (caspase-3 activation) ↑ caspase-3 activation Programmed cell death Same oral cancer study documents caspase-3 activation as a key execution marker (ref)
5 NF-κB signaling (p65 activation) ↓ NF-κB activation Reduced pro-survival transcription Colon cancer model reports inhibition of p65 phosphorylation; interpreted as secondary to metabolic/redox stress (ref)
6 Cell cycle control ↑ G1 arrest Proliferation blockade Prostate cancer model: berberine induces G1-phase cell cycle arrest and caspase-3–dependent apoptosis (ref)
7 Hypoxia / glycolysis signaling (HIF-1α) ↓ HIF-1α protein Warburg / glycolysis suppression Berberine suppresses mTOR and reduces HIF-1α protein expression downstream of AMPK activation (ref)
8 Angiogenesis signaling (HIF-1α → VEGF axis) ↓ VEGF signaling Reduced vascular support Lung cancer study: berberine suppresses VEGF signaling alongside HIF-1α inhibition (ref)
9 PI3K–AKT–mTOR signaling ↓ PI3K / AKT / mTOR Survival pathway suppression Gastric cancer paper: berberine represses PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and improves chemosensitivity (ref)
10 Migration / invasion programs ↓ migration & invasion Anti-metastatic phenotype Tongue SCC model: berberine suppresses migration and invasion with associated signaling changes (ref)
11 Telomerase (hTERT) / immortalization axis ↓ hTERT-related signaling Reduced proliferative capacity Lung cancer study includes AP-2/hTERT regulatory axis modulation by berberine (ref)
12 In vivo tumor suppression ↓ tumorigenesis Demonstrated anti-tumor effect Colon tumorigenesis model confirms reduced proliferation and tumor burden with berberine (ref)


AntiBio, Antibiotic/Antimicrobial activity: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type:

Antibiotic / antimicrobial activity: The ability of a substance to suppress or kill microorganisms, especially bacteria, by disrupting microbial survival, growth, biofilm formation, cell-wall integrity, membrane function, protein synthesis, nucleic-acid synthesis, quorum sensing, or virulence.

Natural Products that might have antimicrobial properties

Natural supplement or product Principal constituents Potential antimicrobial activity Evidence assessment Reference
Garlic
Allium sativum
Allicin, ajoene and diallyl sulfides Antibacterial and antifungal activity, with some antiviral and antiparasitic effects reported in laboratory studies. Extensive laboratory evidence, but insufficient clinical evidence to use garlic as a treatment for established infections. Tesfaye A. Revealing the therapeutic uses of garlic and its potential for drug discovery. Scientific review.
Berberine Berberine isoquinoline alkaloid May damage bacterial membranes, inhibit efflux pumps, interfere with nucleic-acid and protein synthesis, and inhibit biofilm formation. Strong preclinical evidence and limited indication-specific clinical evidence. Poor oral bioavailability and drug interactions limit its use as a general antimicrobial. Berberine as a therapeutic alkaloid against ESKAPE and multidrug-resistant bacteria: a comprehensive review.
Cranberry extract
Vaccinium macrocarpon
A-type proanthocyanidins Primarily reduces adhesion of uropathogenic bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli, to urinary epithelial cells. May reduce recurrent urinary tract infections in selected populations. It is preventive rather than a reliable treatment for an active UTI. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cranberry—Usefulness and Safety.
Probiotics
Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces boulardii
Live microorganisms; effects are strain-specific Competitive exclusion of pathogens, production of bacteriocins, inhibition of pathogen adhesion and restoration of microbiome function. Some human evidence for antibiotic-associated diarrhea and selected gastrointestinal or vaginal indications. Results cannot be generalized from one strain to another. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Probiotics—Health Professional Fact Sheet.
Medical-grade honey / Manuka honey Methylglyoxal, hydrogen peroxide, defensin-1, organic acids and high osmolarity Broad topical antibacterial and antibiofilm activity; also supports autolytic debridement and wound healing. Clinically relevant primarily as a standardized, medical-grade topical wound product. Ordinary food honey is not equivalent. Jull AB et al. Honey as a topical treatment for wounds. Cochrane systematic review.
Oregano oil
Origanum vulgare
Carvacrol and thymol Antibacterial, antifungal and antibiofilm activity, largely through disruption of microbial membranes. Strong laboratory activity, but inadequate human evidence for oral treatment of infections. Concentrated oil can cause irritation. Chemical composition, biological activity and potential uses of oregano and oregano essential oil: a review.
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Thymol and carvacrol Antibacterial, antifungal and antibiofilm activity through membrane damage and altered microbial permeability. Better established as a constituent of topical antiseptic and oral-care formulations than as an oral treatment for systemic infection. PubMed literature: thyme, thymol and antimicrobial activity.
Tea tree oil
Melaleuca alternifolia
Terpinen-4-ol and related monoterpenes Topical antibacterial and antifungal activity with some antiviral laboratory activity. Some clinical evidence for topical acne and fungal skin conditions. Tea tree oil is toxic when swallowed and may cause contact dermatitis. Carson CF et al. Melaleuca alternifolia oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties.
Echinacea
Echinacea species
Alkamides, caffeic-acid derivatives, polysaccharides and glycoproteins Primarily immunomodulatory; relatively weak and inconsistent direct antimicrobial activity. Evidence for preventing or shortening respiratory infections is inconsistent and preparation-dependent. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Echinacea—Usefulness and Safety.
Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
Anthocyanins, flavonols and phenolic acids Antiviral effects have been reported in cell-culture and preclinical studies, including interference with viral entry or replication. Small human trials have examined respiratory symptoms, but evidence remains insufficient to establish treatment of influenza or other viral infections. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Elderberry.
Curcumin / turmeric
Curcuma longa
Curcumin and related curcuminoids Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antibiofilm activity through multiple membrane, enzyme and signalling effects. Predominantly laboratory evidence. Poor aqueous solubility and low systemic bioavailability are major clinical limitations. Moghadamtousi SZ et al. A review on antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity of curcumin.
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Gingerols, shogaols and zingerone Antibacterial and antifungal activity, including possible inhibition of microbial adhesion and biofilm formation. Primarily laboratory evidence; there is little direct clinical evidence that ginger supplements treat infections. PubMed literature: ginger, gingerols and antimicrobial activity.
Clove
Syzygium aromaticum
Eugenol and eugenyl acetate Antibacterial, antifungal and local antiseptic activity, principally through membrane and protein disruption. Relevant mainly to topical, food-preservation and dental applications. Evidence for systemic infection treatment is insufficient. PubMed literature: clove, eugenol and antimicrobial activity.
Cinnamon
Cinnamomum species
Cinnamaldehyde, eugenol and cinnamic acid derivatives Antibacterial, antifungal and antibiofilm activity; may alter microbial membranes and quorum-sensing pathways. Predominantly laboratory evidence. Cassia cinnamon can contribute substantial coumarin exposure when consumed in concentrated amounts. PubMed literature: cinnamon, cinnamaldehyde and antimicrobial activity.
Neem
Azadirachta indica
Nimbidin, nimbin, nimbolide, azadirachtin and other limonoids Antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic and antibiofilm effects have been reported. Some topical and dental research exists, but systemic clinical evidence is inadequate. Oral neem preparations have important safety concerns. PubMed literature: Azadirachta indica and antimicrobial activity.
Black seed
Nigella sativa
Thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone and related volatile compounds Antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic and possible antiviral activity. Considerable laboratory research but limited, heterogeneous clinical evidence for infectious diseases. PubMed literature: Nigella sativa, thymoquinone and antimicrobial activity.
Green tea extract
Camellia sinensis
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and other catechins Antibacterial, antiviral and antibiofilm activity; may damage membranes, inhibit microbial enzymes and enhance some antibiotics. Some localized oral-health evidence, but limited evidence for treating systemic infections. Concentrated extracts may cause liver injury in susceptible individuals. PubMed literature: EGCG, green tea and antimicrobial activity.
Licorice root
Glycyrrhiza species
Glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, liquiritigenin and other flavonoids Antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal effects have been reported in laboratory and preclinical studies. Limited clinical antimicrobial evidence. Glycyrrhizin can cause hypertension, hypokalemia, fluid retention and clinically important drug interactions. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Licorice Root.
Andrographis
Andrographis paniculata
Andrographolide and related diterpenoid lactones Immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and possible antiviral or antibacterial activity. Some evidence for modest symptom reduction in uncomplicated respiratory infections, but this does not establish direct pathogen eradication. PubMed literature: Andrographis and respiratory infections.
Pelargonium sidoides Proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids and oxygenated coumarin derivatives Possible antiviral, antibacterial anti-adhesive and immunomodulatory activity. Some human evidence for modest symptom improvement in acute bronchitis and selected respiratory infections. It is not a substitute for antibiotics when bacterial treatment is indicated. Timmer A et al. Pelargonium sidoides extract for acute respiratory tract infections. Cochrane systematic review.
Monolaurin
Glycerol monolaurate
Monolaurin, a monoester derived from lauric acid May disrupt lipid membranes and interfere with signalling or virulence in certain bacteria and enveloped viruses. Predominantly laboratory and animal evidence. There is insufficient clinical evidence to recommend oral monolaurin for infections. PubMed literature: glycerol monolaurate and antimicrobial activity.
Caprylic acid Octanoic acid, an eight-carbon medium-chain fatty acid Antifungal and membrane-disrupting activity, particularly against Candida species, has been reported in vitro. Insufficient human evidence for treating candidiasis or systemic fungal infection. Marketing claims commonly exceed the evidence. PubMed literature: caprylic acid and Candida.
Olive leaf extract
Olea europaea
Oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and elenolic-acid derivatives Antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity has been observed in laboratory studies. Preliminary evidence only; clinical trials have not established it as a treatment for infectious disease. PubMed literature: olive leaf, oleuropein and antimicrobial activity.
Goldenseal
Hydrastis canadensis
Hydrastine, canadine and berberine Extracts and individual alkaloids show antibacterial activity in laboratory studies. There is no good clinical evidence that goldenseal treats human infections. Product composition, absorption and drug interactions are important limitations. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Goldenseal.
Sweet wormwood / artemisinin
Artemisia annua
Artemisinin and related sesquiterpene lactones Artemisinin derivatives are potent antimalarial agents. Additional antibacterial, antiviral and antiparasitic effects are being studied. Artemisinin-based combination therapies are established medicines, not ordinary supplements. Herbal preparations should not replace standardized malaria treatment because dose variability can promote treatment failure and resistance. World Health Organization: Guidelines for malaria.

Evidence interpretation

  • Clinical evidence: Effects have been studied in human participants, but usually for a specific preparation, route, dose and indication.
  • Preclinical evidence: Activity has mainly been demonstrated in cell culture, microbial cultures or animal models.
  • Anti-adhesive or probiotic activity: The product may reduce colonization or pathogen attachment without directly killing the microorganism.
  • Topical evidence: Results from topical use cannot be assumed to apply to an orally administered supplement.


Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
6764- BBR,    Berberine as a therapeutic alkaloid against ESKAPE and multiple drug-resistant bacteria: a comprehensive review
- Review, Nor, NA
*AntiBio↑, *BioAv↓,

Showing Research Papers: 1 to 1 of 1

* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 1

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Total Targets: 0

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


NA, unassigned(tgid=0)

AntiBio↑, 1,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance(tgid=21)

BioAv↓, 1,  
Total Targets: 2

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: AntiBio, Antibiotic/Antimicrobial activity
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells
Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:41  Target#:1483  State#:%  Dir#:2
wNotes=0 sortOrder:rid,rpid

 

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