Protective effect of isoquinoline alkaloid berberine on spontaneous inflammation in the spleen, liver and kidney of non-obese diabetic mice through downregulating gene expression ratios of pro-/anti-inflammatory and Th1/Th2 cytokines

► Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid in anti-diabetic herbal plants. ► Berberine was administered to NOD mice for 14 weeks. ► Berberine modulated the expression profile of cytokines in NOD mice. ► Berberine alleviated spontaneous inflammation in the spleen, liver and kidney of NOD mice.