Possible Interaction: Berberine and Calcium Supplement

“ Berberine enhanced the apoptosis of Ca Ski cells with the induction of a higher ratio of p53 and Bax/Bcl-2 proteins, increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca2+, disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and promotion of caspase-3 activity.”

“Here, we report that in vitro treatment of cervical cancer Ca Ski cells with berberine decreased the percentage of viable Ca Ski cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner.”

“Similarly, in cultured intestinal epithelial monolayers, berberine inhibited Ca2+ -and cAMP-mediated responses indicating an inhibitory activity directly at the level of the epithelium rather than an indirect effect through other mucosal element(s).”

“In an animal model of calcium oxalate urolithiasis ….75% ethylene glycol in drinking water, berberine (… calcium oxalate crystal deposition in renal tubules and protected against deleterious effects of lithogenic treatment including weight loss, … increased malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl contents, depleted GSH and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities of the kidneys.”

“We also demonstrated that berberine causes an inhibition of mitochondrial respiration and a decrease on calcium loading capacity through induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT).”

“Conclusions: Ber possessed an inhibitory effect on the influx of extracellular Ca ²⁺ and Ca²⁺-release from intracellular stores in the smooth muscle cells of colon.”

“That is to say Ber may be a blocker of Ca ²⁺ channels.”

“ Calcium mediated ion transport responses appear to be more sensitive to berberine inhibition than those which are cyclic GMP‐mediated, which in turn are more sensitive than cyclic AMP‐mediated responses.”

“Conversely, prevention of the mobilization of store Ca+2 in the phasic contraction phase induced by carbachol and prevention of the calcium entry from extracellular in first phase elicited by high levels of potassium play only a minor role in the dilatory effect of berberine.”