Berberine protects against sepsis-related acute lung injury in rats via the upregulation of the PPAR - Υ signaling pathway, with amelioration at the cellular level - A functional, immune-histological and biochemical study

Aim: To assess the therapeutic effects of berberine in experimentally induced lung sepsis.  Examining its effects on selected cytokines, gene and protein expression and the histopathological findings.

Results: Berberine significantly reduced the wet/dry lung ratio, the BALF protein, cell, and neutrophils percentage & the BALF cytokines levels. In addition, pretreatment with berberine decreases the myeloperoxidase and MDA levels and decreases gene expression of NFKB, MCP -1 and the ICAM - 1 by RT - PCR analysis. Thus, suggesting an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mode of the action. Western blot analysis revealed increased PPAR – Υ expression in the berberine pretreated group compared to the CLP group. Histopathological examination revealed improved histopathological parameters, in the berberine pretreated group, compared to the CLP group.

Conclusion: Berberine improves the outcome in sepsis via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, modulation of cytokine levels, upregulation of PPAR - Υ protein expression, and histopathological amelioration.