Berberine is a dopamine D1- and D2-like receptor antagonist and ameliorates experimentally induced colitis by suppressing innate and adaptive immune responses

• Berberine ameliorates dextran sodium salt (DSS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice.
• Berberine reduces production of IFN-γ and IL-17 in DSS-induced colitis.
• Berberine is an antagonist at both dopamine D1- and D2-like receptors.
• Single D1- or D2-like receptor antagonists reduce LPS-stimulated cytokine production.
• They also modulate LPS-stimulated cytokine levels in macrophages and dendritic cells.

Berberine is an herbal alkaloid with various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects. Here, we examined the effects of berberine on dopamine receptors and the ensuing anti-inflammatory responses. Berberine was found to be an antagonist at both dopamine D1- and D2-like receptors and ameliorates the development of experimentally induced colitis in mice. In lipopolysaccharide-stimulated immune cells, berberine treatment modified cytokine levels, consistent with the effects of the dopamine receptor specific antagonists SCH23390 and L750667. Our findings indicate that dopamine receptor antagonists suppress innate and adaptive immune responses, providing a foundation for their use in combatting inflammatory diseases.

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