Unveiling the therapeutic potential of berberine: its therapeutic role and molecular mechanisms in kidney diseases

Berberine (BBR) is a pentacyclic benzylisoquinoline alkaloid widely distributed across various medicinal plants. Recent studies have demonstrated that berberine possesses a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including not only antioxidant properties but also the ability to lower blood glu...

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Main Authors: Zhongyu Fan, Xuejiao Wei, Xiaoyu Zhu, Kun Yang, Ling Tian, Xiaoyan Wang, Yujun Du, Liming Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1549462/full
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author Zhongyu Fan
Xuejiao Wei
Xiaoyu Zhu
Kun Yang
Ling Tian
Xiaoyan Wang
Yujun Du
Liming Yang
author_facet Zhongyu Fan
Xuejiao Wei
Xiaoyu Zhu
Kun Yang
Ling Tian
Xiaoyan Wang
Yujun Du
Liming Yang
author_sort Zhongyu Fan
collection DOAJ
description Berberine (BBR) is a pentacyclic benzylisoquinoline alkaloid widely distributed across various medicinal plants. Recent studies have demonstrated that berberine possesses a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including not only antioxidant properties but also the ability to lower blood glucose, modulate lipid profiles, and mitigate inflammation. These findings suggest that berberine holds significant potential as a therapeutic agent for renal diseases, highlighting its substantial research value. Moreover, when administered orally, berberine has been shown to exhibit a wide therapeutic safety margin. Several studies have identified berberine’s renoprotective effects across a range of kidney disorders, including diabetic nephropathy, renal fibrosis, renal aging, kidney toxicity induced by chemotherapy and antibiotics. These properties underscore berberine’s evolving therapeutic potential for both acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In summary, the research discussed in this article provides a comprehensive overview of the renoprotective effects of BBR and elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic potential in the treatment of various renal disease. Furthermore, the article underscores the significance of berberine as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of kidney disorders.
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institution DOAJ
issn 1663-9812
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Pharmacology
spelling doaj-art-9477287e2e3e46aab19c5cd672afc2dd2025-08-20T03:01:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-02-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15494621549462Unveiling the therapeutic potential of berberine: its therapeutic role and molecular mechanisms in kidney diseasesZhongyu FanXuejiao WeiXiaoyu ZhuKun YangLing TianXiaoyan WangYujun DuLiming YangBerberine (BBR) is a pentacyclic benzylisoquinoline alkaloid widely distributed across various medicinal plants. Recent studies have demonstrated that berberine possesses a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including not only antioxidant properties but also the ability to lower blood glucose, modulate lipid profiles, and mitigate inflammation. These findings suggest that berberine holds significant potential as a therapeutic agent for renal diseases, highlighting its substantial research value. Moreover, when administered orally, berberine has been shown to exhibit a wide therapeutic safety margin. Several studies have identified berberine’s renoprotective effects across a range of kidney disorders, including diabetic nephropathy, renal fibrosis, renal aging, kidney toxicity induced by chemotherapy and antibiotics. These properties underscore berberine’s evolving therapeutic potential for both acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In summary, the research discussed in this article provides a comprehensive overview of the renoprotective effects of BBR and elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic potential in the treatment of various renal disease. Furthermore, the article underscores the significance of berberine as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of kidney disorders.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1549462/fullberberinerenal diseasesinflammationoxidative stressapoptosis
spellingShingle Zhongyu Fan
Xuejiao Wei
Xiaoyu Zhu
Kun Yang
Ling Tian
Xiaoyan Wang
Yujun Du
Liming Yang
Unveiling the therapeutic potential of berberine: its therapeutic role and molecular mechanisms in kidney diseases
Frontiers in Pharmacology
berberine
renal diseases
inflammation
oxidative stress
apoptosis
title Unveiling the therapeutic potential of berberine: its therapeutic role and molecular mechanisms in kidney diseases
title_full Unveiling the therapeutic potential of berberine: its therapeutic role and molecular mechanisms in kidney diseases
title_fullStr Unveiling the therapeutic potential of berberine: its therapeutic role and molecular mechanisms in kidney diseases
title_full_unstemmed Unveiling the therapeutic potential of berberine: its therapeutic role and molecular mechanisms in kidney diseases
title_short Unveiling the therapeutic potential of berberine: its therapeutic role and molecular mechanisms in kidney diseases
title_sort unveiling the therapeutic potential of berberine its therapeutic role and molecular mechanisms in kidney diseases
topic berberine
renal diseases
inflammation
oxidative stress
apoptosis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1549462/full
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