Effect of berberine on interleukin 8 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 expression in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line

Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine the effects of berberine, an alkaloid isolated from some medicinal herbs, on interleukin 8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) expression in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Methods: ARPE-19 cells were cultured to confluence. Berberine and IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha were added to the medium. IL-8 mRNA and MCP-1 mRNA were measured by semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and real-time polymerase chain reaction. IL-8 and MCP-1 protein concentrations in the media were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Berberine dose-dependently inhibited IL-8 mRNA and MCP-1 mRNA expression of the cells and protein levels in the media stimulated with IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha. Conclusion: These findings indicate that berberine dose-dependently inhibited the expression of IL-8 and MCP-1 induced by IL-1 or TNF-alpha. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.