Dr. Weeks’ Comment: Metformin is becoming recognized as an aid to patients who are fighting cancer and Berberine, a naturally occurring substance in plants (an isoquinoline alkaloid, to be precise!) acts a lot like the synthetic drug Metformin/Glucophage in lowering blood sugar but also selectively kills cancer cells, induces programed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells and suppressed cancer cell metastasis (cellular invasion and migration). Ask your oncologist about giving you wither Metformin/Glucophage of Berberine.
BRIEF SELECTION of ARTICLES on BERBERINE and CANCER
Inhibitory effect of Coptidis Rhizoma and berberine on the proliferation of human esophagealcancer cell lines
N Iizuka, K Miyamoto, K Okita, A Tangoku, H Hayashi… – Cancer letters, 2000 – Elsevier
Our previous study demonstrated that the herbal medicine, Oren-to, had antitumor effects on esophageal cancer cells (ECCs) in vitro. The purpose of this study was to examine which of the seven constituents of Oren-to had antitumor effects on esophageal cancer cells. MTT …
Inhibition by berberine of cyclooxygenase-2 transcriptional activity in human colon cancer cells
K Fukuda, Y Hibiya, M Mutoh, M Koshiji, S Akao… – Journal of …, 1999 – Elsevier
The enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is abundantly expressed in colon cancer cells and
plays a key role in colon tumorigenesis. Compounds inhibiting COX-2 transcriptional activity
have therefore potentially a chemopreventive property against colon tumor formation. An …
plays a key role in colon tumorigenesis. Compounds inhibiting COX-2 transcriptional activity
have therefore potentially a chemopreventive property against colon tumor formation. An …
Inhibitory effect of berberine on the invasion of human lung cancer cells via decreased productions of urokinase-plasminogen activator and matrix metalloproteinase-2
PL Peng, YS Hsieh, CJ Wang, JL Hsu… – Toxicology and applied …, 2006 – Elsevier
Berberine, a compound isolated from medicinal herbs, has been reported with many
pharmacological effects related to anti-cancer and anti-inflammation capabilities. In this
study, we observed that berberine exerted a dose-and time-dependent inhibitory effect on …
pharmacological effects related to anti-cancer and anti-inflammation capabilities. In this
study, we observed that berberine exerted a dose-and time-dependent inhibitory effect on …
Berberine modulates expression of mdr1 gene product and the responses of digestive track cancercells to Paclitaxel
HL Lin, TY Liu, CW Wu, CW Chi – British journal of cancer, 1999 – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Abstract Berberine is the major constituent of Coptis chinese and is commonly used in
Chinese herbal medicine to treat patients with gastrointestinal disorders. In this study, using
flow cytometry, we have found that a 24-h berberine treatment up-regulated the multidrug- …
Chinese herbal medicine to treat patients with gastrointestinal disorders. In this study, using
flow cytometry, we have found that a 24-h berberine treatment up-regulated the multidrug- …
Berberine-induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells is initiated by reactive oxygen species generation
SM Meeran, S Katiyar, SK Katiyar – Toxicology and applied pharmacology, 2008 – Elsevier
Phytochemicals show promise as potential chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agents
against various cancers. Here we report the chemotherapeutic effects of berberine, a
phytochemical, on human prostate cancer cells. The treatment of human prostate cancer …
against various cancers. Here we report the chemotherapeutic effects of berberine, a
phytochemical, on human prostate cancer cells. The treatment of human prostate cancer …
Berberine, a natural product, induces G1-phase cell cycle arrest and caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in human prostate carcinoma cells
SK Mantena, SD Sharma, SK Katiyar – Molecular cancer therapeutics, 2006 – AACR
Abstract Berberine, a naturally occurring isoquinoline alkaloid, has been shown to possess
anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties in some in vitro systems. Here, we report that in
vitro treatment of androgen-insensitive (DU145 and PC-3) and androgen-sensitive ( …
anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties in some in vitro systems. Here, we report that in
vitro treatment of androgen-insensitive (DU145 and PC-3) and androgen-sensitive ( …
Berberine suppresses< i> in vitro</i> migration and invasion of human SCC-4 tongue squamouscancer cells through the inhibitions of FAK, IKK, NF-κB, u-PA and …
YT Ho, JS Yang, TC Li, JJ Lin, JG Lin, KC Lai, CY Ma… – Cancer letters, 2009 – Elsevier
There is increasing evidence that urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) and matrix
metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in cancer metastasis and angiogenesis.
Inhibition of u-PA and MMPs could suppress migration and invasion of cancer cells. …
metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in cancer metastasis and angiogenesis.
Inhibition of u-PA and MMPs could suppress migration and invasion of cancer cells. …
The anti-inflammatory potential of berberine in vitro and in vivo
CL Kuo, CW Chi, TY Liu – Cancer letters, 2004 – Elsevier
Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including
anti-inflammation, yet the exact mechanism is unknown. Because cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-
2) plays a key role in prostaglandins (PGs) synthesis, which is elevated in inflammation, …
anti-inflammation, yet the exact mechanism is unknown. Because cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-
2) plays a key role in prostaglandins (PGs) synthesis, which is elevated in inflammation, …
Inhibitory effect of berberine on the mediastinal lymph node metastasis produced by orthotopic implantation of Lewis lung carcinoma.
N Mitani, K Murakami, T Yamaura, T Ikeda, I Saiki – Cancer letters, 2001 – ukpmc.ac.uk
We examined the effect of berberine, a major component with anti-fungal properties
contained in Coptidis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Cortex, on the lymph node metastasis of
murine lung cancer. Oral administration of berberine for 14 days significantly inhibited the …
contained in Coptidis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Cortex, on the lymph node metastasis of
murine lung cancer. Oral administration of berberine for 14 days significantly inhibited the …
Synergistic tumor-killing effect of radiation and berberine combined treatment in lung cancer: the contribution of autophagic cell death.
P Peng, WH Kuo, HC Tseng, FP Chou – International journal of …, 2008 – ukpmc.ac.uk
PURPOSE: Radiotherapy is the most efficacious strategies for lung cancer. The radiation-
enhancing effects and the underlying mechanisms of berberine were investigated both in
vitro and in vivo. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Clonogenic survival assays were used to …
enhancing effects and the underlying mechanisms of berberine were investigated both in
vitro and in vivo. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Clonogenic survival assays were used to …