Berberine promotes immunological outcomes and decreases neuroinflammation in the experimental model of multiple sclerosis through the expansion of Treg and Th2 cells. Issue 1 (13th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tavaf, Maryam J.; Soltanmohammadi, Azita; Zargarani, Simin; Yazdanpanah, Esmaeil; Sadighimoghaddam, Bizhan; Yousefi, Bahman; Sameni, Hamid R.; Haghmorad, Dariush
• Is Part Of: Immunity, inflammation and disease. Volume 11:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2023-01-13
• Subjects: Berberine -- experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis -- multiple sclerosis -- myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein; Immunology -- Periodicals; Immunity -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1002/iid3.766
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-4527

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Among the most frequent demyelinating autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) is multiple sclerosis. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is used as an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Berberine is an alkaloid found in some medicinal plants with anti‐inflammatory effects. Methods: C57BL/6 female mice were used and divided into three groups: (1) The control group received PBS, (2) the low‐dose treatment group received 10 mg/kg of berberine, and (3) The high‐dose treatment group received 30 mg/kg of berberine. Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein and complete Freund's adjuvant were subcutaneously administered to induce EAE. Mice were given intraperitoneal injections of pertussis toxin on the day of immunization and 2 days later. Histological studies showed low lymphocyte infiltration and demyelination of CNS in the treated groups. Results: The clinical scores of the treatment group with low‐dose berberine (T1: 2 ± 0.13) and high‐dose berberine (T2: 1.5 ± 0.14) were significantly ( p < .001) lower than the control group (CTRL: 4.5 ± 0.13). Treatment groups decreased pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, interleukin [IL]‐17) ( p < .001) as well as increased anti‐inflammatory cytokine expression (IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐27, IL‐33, IL‐35, TGF‐β) ( p < .01) when compared to the CTRL group. Treatment groups with berberine reduced expression of the Th1 and Th17 cytokines and transcription factors ( p < .001) and increased expression of transcription factors and Th2 and Treg cytokines ( p < .01) in contrast to CTRL group. Conclusion: Berberine appears to have a protective effect on disease development and alleviating disease status in EAE, which appears to be due to the cell expansion and function of Treg and Th2 cells in addition to berberine's anti‐inflammatory properties. Abstract : In this manuscript, we assessed the beneficial effects of berberine treatment with low and high doses on amelioration of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. We made use of a mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced model with the administration of berberine. The results indicate that berberine ameliorates the EAE condition by affecting Th2/Treg functions and proliferation as well as Th1/Th17 cells.