Effect of Berberine on Mice RAW264.7 Macrophages Polarization

Objective To investigate the effect of berberine on the polarization of mice RAW264.7 macrophages induced separately by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and interleukin-4(IL-4). Methods Mice RAW 264.7 macrophages cultured in vitro were divided into model group, medication group, and blank control group. Both model group and medication group were given either LPS(in final dose of 100 ng / mL) or IL-4(in final dose of 10 ng / mL).Additionally, the medication group was treated with berberine in final dose of 20 μmol / L. The blank control group was given the same volume of phosphate buffered saline( PBS). Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of arginase-1(Arg-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase( iNOS), suppressor of cytokine signaling2( SOCS2) and SOCS3. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine the contents of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) and IL-10. Results The content of TNF-α and the mRNA expression levels of iNOS and SOCS3 in macrophages induced by LPS were increased, and then were down-regulated by berberine(P0.05 or P0.01). The content of IL-10 and the mRNA expression level of Arg-1 in macrophages induced by IL-4 were increased, and then were down-regulated by berberine(P0.05), but berberine had no effect on the mRNA expression level of SOCS2( P 0.05). Conclusion Berberine has an effect on inhibiting the M1 and M2 polarization of macrophages in vitro, suggesting that berberine may play a regulatory role in the dynamic balance of M1 / M2.