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Cardiovascular Actions of Berberine.

Authors :
Lau, Chi-Wai
Yao, Xiao-Qiang
Chen, Zhen-Yu
Ko, Wing-Hung
Huang, Yu
Source :
Cardiovascular Drug Reviews; 2001, Vol. 19 Issue 3, p234-244, 11p
Publication Year :
2001

Abstract

ABSTRACT Berberine, is an alkaloid from Hydrastis canadensis L., Chinese herb Huanglian, and many other plants. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine as an antimicrobial in the treatment of dysentery and infectious diarrhea. This manuscript describes cardiovascular effects of berberine and its derivatives, tetrahydroberberine and 8-oxoberberine. Berberine has positive inotropic, negative chronotropic, antiarrhythmic, and vasodilator properties. Both derivatives of berberine have antiarrhythmic activity. Some of cardiovascular effects of berberine and its derivatives are attributed to the blockade of K<superscript>+</superscript> channels (delayed rectifier and K<subscript>ATP</subscript>) and stimulation of Na<superscript>+</superscript>-Ca<superscript>2+</superscript> exchanger. Berberine has been shown to prolong the duration of ventricular action potential. Its vasodilator activity has been attributed to multiple cellular mechanisms. The cardiovascular effects of berberine suggest its possible clinical usefulness in the treatment of arrhythmias and/or heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
08975957
Volume :
19
Issue :
3
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Cardiovascular Drug Reviews
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
91432071
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1527-3466.2001.tb00068.x