Role of Berberine as an Adjuvant Response Modifier During Tumour Therapy in Mice

Abstract

'The cytotoxicity and antitumour activity of the isoquinoline alkaloid berberine was studied in-vitro and in-vivo. Berberine was cytotoxic to L929 cells in culture (IC50 4oPgm~-l), and to mice when given as an acute (LD50 50mgkg-', i.p) or chronic (LD50 15mgkg-' for 10 days, i.p) dosc. At ;I non-toxic concentration berberine dose-dependently inhibited the tumours induced by Dalton's lymphoma ascites tumour cells in mice. Berberine was more active when given inhapritoneally than orally. The simultaneous administration of berberine potentiated the therapeutic effects of radiation, cyclophosphomide and hyperthermia with a decrease in volume of solid tumours in mice. The results indicate the beneficial use of berberine as an adjuvant response modifier in cancer therapy.