Berberine as a Potential Anticancer Agent: A Comprehensive Review
Abdur Rauf,
Tareq Abu-Izneid,
Anees Ahmed Khalil,
Muhammad Imran,
Zafar Ali Shah,
Talha Bin Emran,
Saikat Mitra,
Zidan Khan,
Fahad A. Alhumaydhi,
Abdullah S. M. Aljohani,
Ishaq Khan,
Md. Mominur Rahman,
Philippe Jeandet,
Tanweer Aslam Gondal
Affiliations
Abdur Rauf
Department of Chemistry, University of Swabi, Anbar 23561, Pakistan
Tareq Abu-Izneid
Pharmaceutical Sciences Program, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Al Ain 64141, United Arab Emirates
Anees Ahmed Khalil
University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Muhammad Imran
University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Zafar Ali Shah
Department of Chemistry, University of Swabi, Anbar 23561, Pakistan
Talha Bin Emran
Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong 4381, Bangladesh
Saikat Mitra
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Zidan Khan
Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong, Chittagong 4318, Bangladesh
Fahad A. Alhumaydhi
Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah S. M. Aljohani
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
Ishaq Khan
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar 25100, Pakistan
Md. Mominur Rahman
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
Philippe Jeandet
University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Research Unit, Induced Resistance and Plant Bioprotection, EA 4707, USC INRAe 1488, SFR Condorcet FR CNRS 3417, Faculty of Sciences, P.O. Box 1039, CEDEX 2, 51687 Reims, France
Tanweer Aslam Gondal
School of Exercise and Nutrition, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
Berberine (BBR), a potential bioactive agent, has remarkable health benefits. A substantial amount of research has been conducted to date to establish the anticancer potential of BBR. The present review consolidates salient information concerning the promising anticancer activity of this compound. The therapeutic efficacy of BBR has been reported in several studies regarding colon, breast, pancreatic, liver, oral, bone, cutaneous, prostate, intestine, and thyroid cancers. BBR prevents cancer cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and controlling the cell cycle as well as autophagy. BBR also hinders tumor cell invasion and metastasis by down-regulating metastasis-related proteins. Moreover, BBR is also beneficial in the early stages of cancer development by lowering epithelial–mesenchymal transition protein expression. Despite its significance as a potentially promising drug candidate, there are currently no pure berberine preparations approved to treat specific ailments. Hence, this review highlights our current comprehensive knowledge of sources, extraction methods, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profiles of berberine, as well as the proposed mechanisms of action associated with its anticancer potential. The information presented here will help provide a baseline for researchers, scientists, and drug developers regarding the use of berberine as a promising candidate in treating different types of cancers.
