Effects of berberine on proliferation and apoptosis of HUVECs

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of berberine’s inhibiting growth and metastasis of tumor by observing the effects of berberine on proliferation and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: Cultured HUVECs were incubated with berberine. MTT assay and quantitative immunocytochemistry were used to detect cell proliferation and the expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Morphologic changes of apoptosis were observed by fluorescent staining, and Rhodamin123 was used to determinate mitochondrial membrane potential under the laser confocal microscopy. RESULTS: HUVEC proliferation was inhibited by co-incubating with berberine (20 mg/L) for 24 h and berberine (10 mg/L, 20 mg/L) for 48 h (P0.01, P0.05,P0.01). In the presence of berbering (20 mg/L) for 48 h, the expression of PCNA in HUVECs was decreased significantly (P0.01), typical apoptotic appearance was found and mitochondrial membrane potential declined markedly (P0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Berberine has a significant inhibitory effect on proliferation of HUVECs and an induced effect on HUVEC apoptosis, which is related with mitochondria. Berberine inhibits the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells to suppress neovascularization, which may be one of the mechanisms underlying inhibitory effect of berberine on growth and metastasis of tumor.