Open Access

Research progress of berberine mediated photodynamic therapy (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Ya-Wen An
    • Hong-Tao Jin
    • Bo Yuan
    • Jian-Chun Wang
    • Cheng Wang
    • Han-Qing Liu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 8, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.12620
  • Article Number: 359
  • Copyright: © An et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Berberine (BBR) is a plant secondary metabolite that has been used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the last few decades. The present review aimed to discuss the research progress of BBR‑mediated photodynamic actions. The following key words were searched in several databases: ‘Berberine’ combined with ‘photodynamic therapy’, ‘sonodynamic therapy (SDT)’, ‘ultraviolet’, ‘reactive oxygen’ and ‘singlet oxygen’. The results demonstrated that both type I and type II reactions participated in the photodynamic progression of BBR derivatives. In addition, the photochemical characteristics of BBR derivatives were affected by the polarity, pH and O2 content of solvents. DNA binding increases the lifespan of the photoexcited BBR state and generation of singlet oxygen (1O2). The chemical properties of substituents in different positions of the BBR skeleton are pivotal for its photochemical properties, particularly the methylenedioxy group at the C‑2 and C‑3 positions. BBR is a promising agent for mediating both PDT‑ and SDT‑treated diseases, particularly in tumors. However, further studies are required to validate their biological effects. In addition, the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor effects of BBR‑PDT remain unclear and warrant further investigation. The structural modification and targeted delivery of BBR have made it possible to broaden its applications; however, experimental verification is required. Overall, BBR acts as a sensitizer for PDT and has promising development prospects.
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May-2021
Volume 21 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

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Spandidos Publications style
An Y, Jin H, Yuan B, Wang J, Wang C and Liu H: Research progress of berberine mediated photodynamic therapy (Review). Oncol Lett 21: 359, 2021
APA
An, Y., Jin, H., Yuan, B., Wang, J., Wang, C., & Liu, H. (2021). Research progress of berberine mediated photodynamic therapy (Review). Oncology Letters, 21, 359. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.12620
MLA
An, Y., Jin, H., Yuan, B., Wang, J., Wang, C., Liu, H."Research progress of berberine mediated photodynamic therapy (Review)". Oncology Letters 21.5 (2021): 359.
Chicago
An, Y., Jin, H., Yuan, B., Wang, J., Wang, C., Liu, H."Research progress of berberine mediated photodynamic therapy (Review)". Oncology Letters 21, no. 5 (2021): 359. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.12620