Berberine in the treatment of radiation-induced skin injury: insights from proteomics and network pharmacology
BackgroundRadiation-induced skin injury (RISI) is a notable complication of cancer radiotherapy, impacting patients’ quality of life. Existing interventions mainly address symptoms, with limited success in targeting the fundamental mechanisms. Berberine (BBR), a bioactive compound recognized for its...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1542851/full |
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| author | Jie Zou Jie Zou Xia-Juan Xiao Ping Zhang Xing-Zi Huang Jing Wang Chun-Qin Tao Xiao-Lan Ou Gong Chen Ting-Hao He Long Yang Biao Huang Dao-Jiang Yu Dao-Jiang Yu Yu Zhao |
| author_facet | Jie Zou Jie Zou Xia-Juan Xiao Ping Zhang Xing-Zi Huang Jing Wang Chun-Qin Tao Xiao-Lan Ou Gong Chen Ting-Hao He Long Yang Biao Huang Dao-Jiang Yu Dao-Jiang Yu Yu Zhao |
| author_sort | Jie Zou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundRadiation-induced skin injury (RISI) is a notable complication of cancer radiotherapy, impacting patients’ quality of life. Existing interventions mainly address symptoms, with limited success in targeting the fundamental mechanisms. Berberine (BBR), a bioactive compound recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic characteristics, presents a compelling option for treating RISI.MethodsThe molecular targets of BBR and RISI were identified using Swiss Target Prediction and GeneCards databases. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was then constructed, and core targets were screened with the Cytoscape plug-in. Molecular functions and pathways were analyzed through GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Proteomic analysis identified differential protein expression following BBR treatment. Molecular docking validated BBR’s binding to core targets PRKACA and PIK3CB. Finally, the therapeutic efficacy of BBR was confirmed in irradiated cell and animal models.ResultsBBR is pivotal in modulating molecular pathways linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue repair. Protein histology indicates a marked increase in epithelial migration and proliferation markers (KRT14, KRT16) and a decrease in inflammatory markers (IL6ST, TNFRSF10B). Enrichment of pathways like the MAPK cascade and epithelial development highlights BBR’s role in skin regeneration. Molecular docking confirms BBR’s stable binding to key targets PRKACA and PIK3CB, essential for cell proliferation and inflammation control. Moreover, BBR treatment promoted the proliferation of irradiated cells and accelerated wound healing in irradiated animal models.ConclusionBerberine demonstrates multi-target therapeutic potential in managing RISI by modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular repair processes. These findings provide a foundation for future clinical studies to optimize its dosage and delivery, aiming to improve treatment outcomes for RISI. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3a1f2c0ea82149aab75cced2725a52ca |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1663-9812 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
| spelling | doaj-art-3a1f2c0ea82149aab75cced2725a52ca2025-08-20T02:15:19ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-05-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15428511542851Berberine in the treatment of radiation-induced skin injury: insights from proteomics and network pharmacologyJie Zou0Jie Zou1Xia-Juan Xiao2Ping Zhang3Xing-Zi Huang4Jing Wang5Chun-Qin Tao6Xiao-Lan Ou7Gong Chen8Ting-Hao He9Long Yang10Biao Huang11Dao-Jiang Yu12Dao-Jiang Yu13Yu Zhao14Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, ChinaThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, ChinaThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Plastic and Burn Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Nuclear Industry 416 Hospital, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Plastic and Burn Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Nuclear Industry 416 Hospital, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Plastic and Burn Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Nuclear Industry 416 Hospital, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Plastic and Burn Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Nuclear Industry 416 Hospital, Chengdu, ChinaChengdu Medical College, Chengdu, ChinaChengdu Medical College, Chengdu, ChinaChengdu Medical College, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Plastic and Burn Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Nuclear Industry 416 Hospital, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Plastic and Burn Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Nuclear Industry 416 Hospital, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, ChinaDepartment of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaBackgroundRadiation-induced skin injury (RISI) is a notable complication of cancer radiotherapy, impacting patients’ quality of life. Existing interventions mainly address symptoms, with limited success in targeting the fundamental mechanisms. Berberine (BBR), a bioactive compound recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic characteristics, presents a compelling option for treating RISI.MethodsThe molecular targets of BBR and RISI were identified using Swiss Target Prediction and GeneCards databases. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was then constructed, and core targets were screened with the Cytoscape plug-in. Molecular functions and pathways were analyzed through GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Proteomic analysis identified differential protein expression following BBR treatment. Molecular docking validated BBR’s binding to core targets PRKACA and PIK3CB. Finally, the therapeutic efficacy of BBR was confirmed in irradiated cell and animal models.ResultsBBR is pivotal in modulating molecular pathways linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue repair. Protein histology indicates a marked increase in epithelial migration and proliferation markers (KRT14, KRT16) and a decrease in inflammatory markers (IL6ST, TNFRSF10B). Enrichment of pathways like the MAPK cascade and epithelial development highlights BBR’s role in skin regeneration. Molecular docking confirms BBR’s stable binding to key targets PRKACA and PIK3CB, essential for cell proliferation and inflammation control. Moreover, BBR treatment promoted the proliferation of irradiated cells and accelerated wound healing in irradiated animal models.ConclusionBerberine demonstrates multi-target therapeutic potential in managing RISI by modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular repair processes. These findings provide a foundation for future clinical studies to optimize its dosage and delivery, aiming to improve treatment outcomes for RISI.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1542851/fullberberineradiation-induced skin injury (RISI)proteomicsnetwork pharmacologywound healing |
| spellingShingle | Jie Zou Jie Zou Xia-Juan Xiao Ping Zhang Xing-Zi Huang Jing Wang Chun-Qin Tao Xiao-Lan Ou Gong Chen Ting-Hao He Long Yang Biao Huang Dao-Jiang Yu Dao-Jiang Yu Yu Zhao Berberine in the treatment of radiation-induced skin injury: insights from proteomics and network pharmacology Frontiers in Pharmacology berberine radiation-induced skin injury (RISI) proteomics network pharmacology wound healing |
| title | Berberine in the treatment of radiation-induced skin injury: insights from proteomics and network pharmacology |
| title_full | Berberine in the treatment of radiation-induced skin injury: insights from proteomics and network pharmacology |
| title_fullStr | Berberine in the treatment of radiation-induced skin injury: insights from proteomics and network pharmacology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Berberine in the treatment of radiation-induced skin injury: insights from proteomics and network pharmacology |
| title_short | Berberine in the treatment of radiation-induced skin injury: insights from proteomics and network pharmacology |
| title_sort | berberine in the treatment of radiation induced skin injury insights from proteomics and network pharmacology |
| topic | berberine radiation-induced skin injury (RISI) proteomics network pharmacology wound healing |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1542851/full |
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