Berberine induces heme oxygenase-1 up-regulation through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT and NF-E2-related factor-2 signaling pathway in astrocytes

Our previous report has shown that berberine effectively inhibits LPS- and IFN-γ-induced neuroinflammation in microglia cells. Recently, we also reported that HO-1 (Heme oxygenase-1) may be a therapeutic target to regulate neuroinflammation in microglia cells. The present study examined the ability of berberine, the major constituents of Chinese herb Rhizoma coptidis, to induce expression of HO-1, and analyzed its signaling mechanism in rat brain astrocytes. HO-1 is known as an antioxidant enzyme which helps to protect against cellular damage and maintains tissue homeostasis. Here, we found that berberine increased HO-1 mRNA and protein expression concentration- and time-dependently. In addition, berberine-induced HO-1 expression was attenuated by PI 3-kinase (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin, and an AKT inhibitor. Treatment of astrocytes with berberine also induced p85 (PI 3-kinase) and AKT phospholation, and increased AKT kinase activity. Berberine also increased NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) accumulation in the nucleus and increased Nrf2-DNA binding activity as determined by the EMSA (electrophoretic mobility shift assay). Moreover, berberine-induced increase of Nrf2-DNA binding activity was reduced by PI 3-kinase and AKT inhibitors. Berberine-increased HO-1-luciferase activity was also inhibited by co-transfection with dominant-negative (DN) mutants of p85 and AKT. Moreover, berberine-mediated increase of HO-1 transcriptional activity and protein expression were reduced by transfection with siRNA againt Nrf2. These findings suggest that berberine-increased HO-1 expression is mediated by Nrf2 activation through the PI 3-kinase/AKT pathway in astrocytes. Thus, berberine may be useful as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of neuroinflammation-associated disorders.

► Berberine increases HO-1 protein and mRNA expression, which depends on de novo protein synthesis in astrocytes.
► Activation of PI 3-kinase/AKT pathway is required for up-regulation of HO-1 by berberine in astrocytes.
► Berberine-induced HO-1 expression is mediated through Nrf2 activation in astrocytes.
► Our study suggests that berberine can be a promising compound for treatment of neuroinflammation-associated diseases.