Arsalan Khaledifar
1 
, Mohammad Reza Khosravi
2* , Elham Raeisi
3 1 Modeling in Health Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
2 Cancer Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
3 Clinical Biochemistry Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Abstract
Cardiotoxicity is one of the main complications of chemotherapy that increases morbidity and mortality in cancerous patients. The present systematic review aimed to investigate the protective effects of berberine (Ber) on doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiotoxicity. The study protocol was developed following the PRISMA statement. An extensive search was performed in multiple databases, including Embase, PubMed, Cochrane library, Web of Science, and Scopus. After defining the inclusion/exclusion criteria of the study, 12 records were included. The desired data of the retrieved articles were extracted from the studies and imported into an Excel form and ultimately, the effects, probable outcomes and mechanisms were surveyed. By activating sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), Ber caused reduced oxidative damage and loss of mitochondria integrity in cardiomyocytes. It also regulated autophagy and apoptosis via down-regulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine rich repeat, and pyrin domain containing protein (NLRP) activation. Moreover, Ber increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, reduced the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), up-regulated SIRT3, and subsequently reduced oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes and loss of mitochondria integrity, leading to developed apoptosis and regulating the histopathological and electrocardiogram changes in the myocardium. It also ameliorated the DOX-induced calcium ions (Ca2+) and iron overload. Ber reduced oxidant and inflammatory activity, and regulated apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, thus protecting the cells against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
The protective effects of Ber in preventing or reducing complications caused by doxorubicin consumption were shown in this study. The cardioprotective effects of Ber were mainly due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and it also could improve heart function. Therefore, this herbal substance might be used under the supervision of physicians to reduce cardiotoxicity in cancer treatment centers to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy.
Please cite this paper as: Khaledifar A, Khosravi MR, Raeisi E. Berberine efficacy against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: A systematic review. J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2023;12(2):187-193. doi: 10.34172/jhp.2023.19.