Work

Network pharmacology study on the mechanism of berberine in Alzheimer’s disease model

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Research indicated that berberine (BBR) plays a protective role in modulating Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to explore the target genes of BBR associated with AD therapy using a network pharmacology study. Through network pharmacology analysis, two main potential target genes, β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), of BBR for AD therapy were screened out. Further experiments demonstrated that BV2 and C8-D1A treated with BBR were decreased in the mRNA and protein expression of APP and presenilin 1 while PPARG was increased with a reduction in the NF-κB pathway. A similar result was shown in vivo. Through a network pharmacology study, this study supported that BBR played a protective role in the AD mice model via blocking APP processing and amyloid plaque formation. It also promotes PPARG expression to blockage of NF-κB pathway-mediated inflammatory response and neuroinflammation.

Source: npj Science of Food

DOI: 10.1038/s41538-025-00378-y

Authors: Yaoyi Zhang, Shuai Lv, Pinyuan Huang, Lingmin Xiao, Nan Lin, En Huang

Institutions: Fujian Medical University, Dalian Medical University, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Union Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Alzheimer's disease research and treatments

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,790