Effect of berberine on monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 expression in rat lipopolysaccharide-induced uveitis

Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine the in vivo effects of berberine, an alkaloid isolated from some medicinal herbs, on monocyte chemotactic protein- 1 ( MCP- 1) and cytokine- induced neutrophil chemoattractant- 1 ( CINC- 1) expression in rat lipopolysaccharide ( LPS)- induced uveitis. Methods: LPS was injected intraperitoneally. Berberine was orally administered. MCP- 1 mRNA and CINC- 1 mRNA were measured by semiquantitative reverse- transcription polymerase chain reaction and real- time polymerase chain reaction. MCP- 1 and CINC- 1 protein concentration in the aqueous humor were measured by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay. Histopathologic study was performed in the anterior ocular segments. Results: Berberine dose- dependently inhibited LPS- induced MCP- 1 mRNA and CINC- 1 mRNA expression of the iris- ciliary body. The alkaloid inhibited chemokines, protein and cell levels in the aqueous humor in rats stimulated with LPS. On histopathologic study, the inflammatory cell infiltration was diminished by the berberine treatment. Conclusions: These findings indicate that berberine dose-dependently inhibited the expression of MCP- 1 and CINC-1 induced by LPS and diminished the anterior uveitis. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.