Berberine (BB) is a protoberberine alkaloid that has a broad range of pharmacological activities and is a Janus kinase (Jak)2/3 inhibitor. However, the mechanisms of berberine’s anti-inflammatory effects on joints are still unclear. The aim of this study was to see how berberine affected apoptosis and the generation of senescent cells. The tests were carried out in a mouse model of erosive arthritis caused by intra-articular (i.a.) zymosan injection (zymosan-induced arthritis, ZIA). Sudan Black B (SBB) staining was used to determine histopathologic changes. TRAP and -galactosidase staining is used to determine the differentiation of bone marrow (BM) cells. Flowcytometry was used to assess apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. Berberine reduced the production of apoptotic and senescent cells in the BM and bone, as well as the development of TRAIL-induced osteoclasts. In synovial cells, the alkaloid had no effect on the expression of anti-apoptotic BcL-2 but did increase the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax. Berberine decreased the amount of megakaryocytes in the BM. Berberine blocked the accelerated production of apoptotic and senescent cells in arthritic mice, potentially reducing joint inflammation.
Author (s) Details
Lyudmila Belenska-Todorova
Medical Faculty, Sofia University, Bulgaria.
Prof. Nina Ivanovska
Institute of Microbiology, Department of Immunology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.
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