Effect of berbamine on T-cell mediated immunity and the prevention of rejection on skin transplants in mice

J Ethnopharmacol. 1998 Jan;59(3):211-5. doi: 10.1016/s0378-8741(97)00117-7.

Abstract

Berbamine, an ingredient of Berberis, which itself is widely utilized in Chinese folk-medicine has been used as a source of leukogenics, anti-arrhythmics and anti-hypertensives. In recent years, the immunosuppressive effects of berbamine has been demonstrated. In order to further investigate the value of berbamine as an immunosuppressive agent, the delayed type hypersensitivity reaction (DTH) response with sheep red blood cells (SRBC), the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and a skin model of allograft rejection on mice were studied. Berbamine showed suppressive effects on DTH and MLR and significantly prolonged allograft survival compared with untreated transplanted mice. The results indicate that berbamine may be a potential agent in clinical transplantation.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Benzylisoquinolines*
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control*
  • Immunity, Cellular / drug effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional
  • Mice
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry
  • Skin Transplantation / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Benzylisoquinolines
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • berbamine