Abstract
It was well-known that Berberine, a major bioactive compound extracted from natural plants Coptis chinensis, has
anti-diabetic effects for decades in china. Other types of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory,
antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, and anti-cancer effects, have also been examined. At cellular level, these
pharmacological activities were mostly an inhibitory effect. However, the cytoprotective effect of berberine was also
observed in various types of cells, such as neurons, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and β-cells. The paradoxical result
may be closely associated with characteristics and distribution of berberine within cells, and they can be explained
mechanically by mitohormesis, one particular form of hormesis. Here, we reviewed the mitohormetic response and
assessed the berberine-induced effects and the possible signaling pathway involved. These findings may contribute
to better clinical applications of berberine and indicate that some mitochondria-targeted conventional drugs
should be considered carefully in clinical application.

Download: 2020_The mitohormetic response as part of the cytoprotection mechanism of berberine – Berberine induces mitohormesis and mechanisms