Berberine (Synonyms: Natural Yellow 18)

Cat. No.: HY-N0716: Data Sheet Handling Instructions
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Berberine (Natural Yellow 18) is an alkaloid isolated from the Chinese herbal medicine Huanglian, as an antibiotic. Berberine (Natural Yellow 18) induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and inhibits DNA topoisomerase. Berberine (Natural Yellow 18) has antineoplastic properties. The sulfate form (HY-N0716B) improves bioavailability.

At equivalent molar concentrations, both the salt and free forms of a compound exhibit comparable biological activity. Nevertheless, the salt form (Berberine sulfate) usually boasts enhanced water solubility and stability.

For research use only. We do not sell to patients.

CAS No. : 2086-83-1

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Other In-stock Forms of Berberine:

Berberine chloride hydrate Berberine chloride Berberine hemisulfate Berberine sulfate

Other Forms of Berberine:

81 Publications Citing Use of MCE Berberine

In Vivo Efficacy Study

Bio/Physico-chemical Assay

RT-PCR

Others

Cell Proliferation/Viability Assay

: Berberine purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Nat Commun. 2025 Jan 2;16(1):212. [Abstract]; A549 (1 ×10⁶) cells were subcutaneously inoculated into the right scruff of the female BALB/c nude mouse (n = 8/group). On day 22 after inoculation, mice were given Berberine (p.o.; 40 mg/kg; daily for 12 days) . The tumor volumes on indicated days after gavage were examined

: Berberine purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Nat Commun. 2025 Jan 2;16(1):212. [Abstract]; H1299 cells were treated with or without Berberine (Ber;5 μM; 24 h). Cells were subjected to qPCR (n = 3 independent experiments) analyses.

: Berberine purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Acta Pharm Sin B. 2025 Sep;15(9):4789-4806.; The hydroxyproline assay kit was used to detect the secretion of fibroblast collagen in NMCFs by Berberine (BBC; 70 μM）. n=3-4. *P< 0.05, **P< 0.01 vs. CTL #P<0.05, ###P <0.001 vs. TGF-β1.

: Berberine purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Acta Pharm Sin B. 2025 Sep;15(9):4789-4806.; Immunofluorescence in determining the expression of P4HA1 after treated with Berberine (BBC; p.o.; 20 mg/kg for 7 days ) and Selonsertib (p.o.; 20 mg/kg for 7 days ) in the heart tissue of MI mice. n=3. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs. Sham, #P < 0.05, ##P < 0.01 vs. MI. Scale bar, 200 µm.

: Berberine purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Acta Pharm Sin B. 2025 Sep;15(9):4789-4806.; Echocardiographic detection of cardiac function changes in MI mice and treated with Berberine (BBC; p.o.; 20 mg/kg for 7 days ) and Selonsertib (p.o.; 20 mg/kg for 7 days ) . n=3-4. *P < 0.05 vs. Sham, #P < 0.05 vs. MI.

: Berberine purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: BMC Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023 May 11;24(1):29. [Abstract]; Berberine (BBR; 2.5, 5, 10 µM; 48 h) inhibits EGFR phosphorylation in a dose-dependent matter in A431cells.

: Berberine purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: BMC Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023 May 11;24(1):29. [Abstract]; Berberine (BBR; 2.5 µM; 10 days) significantly inhibits NCI-H441 colony formation.

: Berberine purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: BMC Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023 May 11;24(1):29. [Abstract]; Berberine (BBR; 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 µM; 48 h) inhibits the viability of A431cells in a dose-dependent matter.

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Biological Activity
Purity & Documentation
References
Customer Review

Description

IC₅₀ & Target

ROS^[1]
DNA topoisomerase^[1]

Cellular Effect

Cell Line	Type	Value	Description	References
3T3-L1	IC₅₀	21.84 μM Compound: Berberine	Cytotoxicity against mouse 3T3L1 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 48 hrs by CCK8 assay Cytotoxicity against mouse 3T3L1 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 48 hrs by CCK8 assay	[PMID: 28818460]
A2780/Taxol	IC₅₀	>= 24.33 μM Compound: 2	Antiproliferative activity against human A2780T cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 48 hrs by CCK-8 assay Antiproliferative activity against human A2780T cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 48 hrs by CCK-8 assay	[PMID: 39213483]
A549/TR	IC₅₀	>= 24.33 μM Compound: 2	Antiproliferative activity against human A549/Taxol cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 48 hrs by CCK-8 assay Antiproliferative activity against human A549/Taxol cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 48 hrs by CCK-8 assay	[PMID: 39213483]
BHK-21	CC₅₀	> 100 μM Compound: 190	Cytotoxicity against BHK21 cells in presence of ATP by Celltiter-Glo assay Cytotoxicity against BHK21 cells in presence of ATP by Celltiter-Glo assay	[PMID: 28689975]
CWR22R	IC₅₀	12.7 μM Compound: 51	Antiproliferative activity against human 22Rv1 cells Antiproliferative activity against human 22Rv1 cells	[PMID: 36459083]
HUVEC	IC₅₀	18.34 μM Compound: Berberine	Cytotoxicity against human HUVEC cells assessed as reduction in cell viability by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human HUVEC cells assessed as reduction in cell viability by MTT assay	[PMID: 30660827]
HeLa	IC₅₀	12.08 μg/mL Compound: Berberine	Cytotoxicity against human HeLa cells measured after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human HeLa cells measured after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 31821990]
HeLa 229	IC₅₀	42.93 μM Compound: Berberine	Cytotoxicity against human HeLa 229 cells measured after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human HeLa 229 cells measured after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 31821990]
Hep 3B2	IC₅₀	> 50 μM Compound: 1	Antiproliferative activity against human Hep3B cells assessed as inhibition of cell growth incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay Antiproliferative activity against human Hep3B cells assessed as inhibition of cell growth incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 36640595]
HepG2	IC₅₀	2.5 μM Compound: 24	Inhibition of CYP1B1 in human HepG2 cells Inhibition of CYP1B1 in human HepG2 cells	[PMID: 30503941]
HepG2	IC₅₀	46.9 μg/mL Compound: 1; BBR	Cytotoxicity against human HepG2 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human HepG2 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 27561717]
HepG2	IC₅₀	> 50 μM Compound: 1	Antiproliferative activity against cisplatin-resistant human HepG2 cells assessed as inhibition of cell growth incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay Antiproliferative activity against cisplatin-resistant human HepG2 cells assessed as inhibition of cell growth incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 36640595]
HepG2	IC₅₀	> 50 μM Compound: 1	Antiproliferative activity against human HepG2 cells assessed as inhibition of cell growth incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay Antiproliferative activity against human HepG2 cells assessed as inhibition of cell growth incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 36640595]
Huh-7	IC₅₀	> 50 μM Compound: 1	Antiproliferative activity against human Huh-7 cells assessed as inhibition of cell growth incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay Antiproliferative activity against human Huh-7 cells assessed as inhibition of cell growth incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 36640595]
LNCaP	IC₅₀	3.4 μM Compound: 51	Antiproliferative activity against human LNCap cells Antiproliferative activity against human LNCap cells	[PMID: 36459083]
LNCaP C4-2B	IC₅₀	11.2 μM Compound: 51	Antiproliferative activity against human LNCaP C4-2B cells Antiproliferative activity against human LNCaP C4-2B cells	[PMID: 36459083]
LX-2	IC₅₀	> 50 μM Compound: 1	Antiproliferative activity against human LX2 cells assessed as inhibition of cell growth incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay Antiproliferative activity against human LX2 cells assessed as inhibition of cell growth incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 36640595]
LoVo	IC₅₀	>= 24.33 μM Compound: 2	Antiproliferative activity against human LoVo cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 48 hrs by CCK-8 assay Antiproliferative activity against human LoVo cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 48 hrs by CCK-8 assay	[PMID: 39213483]
MDCK	CC₅₀	70.22 μg/mL Compound: Ber	Cytotoxicity against MDCK cells incubated for 48 hrs assessed as reduction in cell viability by SRB assay Cytotoxicity against MDCK cells incubated for 48 hrs assessed as reduction in cell viability by SRB assay	[PMID: 28958846]
PC-3	IC₅₀	21.5 μM Compound: 51	Antiproliferative activity against human PC-3 cells Antiproliferative activity against human PC-3 cells	[PMID: 36459083]
PC-3	IC₅₀	>= 24.33 μM Compound: 2	Antiproliferative activity against human PC-3 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 24 hrs by CCK-8 assay Antiproliferative activity against human PC-3 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability incubated for 24 hrs by CCK-8 assay	[PMID: 39213483]
RAW264.7	IC₅₀	6.9 μM Compound: Berberine	Inhibition of PCSK9 mRNA level in mouse RAW264.7 cells by qRT-PCR assay Inhibition of PCSK9 mRNA level in mouse RAW264.7 cells by qRT-PCR assay	[PMID: 30698432]
RAW264.7	IC₅₀	> 30 μM Compound: 6	Antiinflammatory activity in mouse RAW264.7 cells assessed as inhibition of LPS-induced nitric oxide production after 24 hrs by griess assay Antiinflammatory activity in mouse RAW264.7 cells assessed as inhibition of LPS-induced nitric oxide production after 24 hrs by griess assay	[PMID: 22024033]
SK-HEP1	IC₅₀	> 50 μM Compound: 1	Antiproliferative activity against human SK-HEP1 cells assessed as inhibition of cell growth incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay Antiproliferative activity against human SK-HEP1 cells assessed as inhibition of cell growth incubated for 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 36640595]
SMMC-7721	IC₅₀	18.34 μM Compound: Berberine	Cytotoxicity against human SMMC7721 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human SMMC7721 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability by MTT assay	[PMID: 30660827]
SW1990	IC₅₀	18.34 μM Compound: Berberine	Cytotoxicity against human SW1990 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human SW1990 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability by MTT assay	[PMID: 30660827]
Vero	IC₅₀	71.14 μg/mL Compound: Berberine	Cytotoxicity against African green monkey Vero cells measured after 48 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against African green monkey Vero cells measured after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 31821990]
Vero C1008	CC₅₀	221 μM Compound: 49	Cytotoxicity against African green monkey Vero E6 cells measured up to 24 to 72 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against African green monkey Vero E6 cells measured up to 24 to 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 31549836]
Vero C1008	IC₅₀	39.1 μM Compound: 49	Antiviral activity against Zika virus infected in African green monkey Vero E6 cells assessed as reduction in virus infectivity preincubated with virus for 1 hr followed by cell infection and measured after 96 hrs by crystal violet staining based assay Antiviral activity against Zika virus infected in African green monkey Vero E6 cells assessed as reduction in virus infectivity preincubated with virus for 1 hr followed by cell infection and measured after 96 hrs by crystal violet staining based assay	[PMID: 31549836]

In Vitro

Berberine (1.25-160 μM; 72 hours) has potential inhibitory effects on the proliferation of four colorectal carcinoma cell lines LoVo, HCT116, SW480, and HT-29^[1].
Berberine (1.25-160 μM; 24-72 hours) induces a time- and dose-dependent inhibition of LoVo cell growth^[1].
LoVo cells are exposure to Berberine (10-80 μM) for 24 h. Cell cycle analysis of 40 μM Berberine-treated LoVo cells by flow cytometry shows accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase^[1].
Berberine (10-80 μM) suppresses cyclin B1, cdc2 and cdc25c protein expression after 24 h, especially at the dose of 80.0 μM^[1].
Berberine exhibits antimicrobial acitivity through inhibition of cell division protein FtsZ, or through DNA/RNA binding and deal thus DNA/RNAdamege^[3].
Berberine exhibts anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting TNF-α and the activation of its downstream pathway AP-1 and NF-kB^[4].
Berberine exhibits neuroprotective efficacy by inhibiting the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and caspase activation, and activatiing the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression^[5].
Berberine attenuates metabolic diseases through regulations of the lipids composition and inhibition of insulin resistance^[6].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

Cell Proliferation Assay^[1]

Cell Line:	Four colorectal carcinoma cell lines LoVo, HCT116, SW480, and HT-29
Concentration:	1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 μM
Incubation Time:	72 hours
Result:	Inhibited the proliferation of four cell lines. The IC₅₀ ranged from 40.8±4.1 μM (LoVo) to 98.6±2.9 μM (HCT116).

Cell Proliferation Assay^[1]

Cell Line:	Colorectal carcinoma cell lines LoVo
Concentration:	1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 μM
Incubation Time:	24, 48, 72 hours
Result:	Induced a time- and dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth. By 72 h, 160.0 μM induced 71.1±1.9 % growth inhibitions in LoVo cells.

Cell Cycle Analysis^[1]

Cell Line:	LoVo cells
Concentration:	0, 10, 20, 40, or 80 μM
Incubation Time:	24 hours
Result:	Exposure to 40.0 μM induced G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest, an increase in the G2/M-phase population and a progressive decline in the G1 population.

Western Blot Analysis^[1]

Cell Line:	LoVo cells
Concentration:	10, 20, 40, or 80 μM
Incubation Time:	24 hours
Result:	Suppressed cyclin B1, cdc2 and cdc25c protein expression.

In Vivo

Berberine (10, 30, or 50 mg/kg/day; gastrointestinal gavage; for 10 consecutive days) inhibits the growth of human colorectal adenocarcinoma in vivo. Berberine at doses of 30 and 50 mg/kg/day taken by gastrointestinal gavage shows inhibitory rates of 33.1% and 45.3% on the human colorectal adenocarcinoma xenograft growth in nude mice^[1].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

Animal Model:	5-week-old BALB/c nu/nu mice with human colorectal adenocarcinoma LoVo xenografts^[1]
Dosage:	10, 30, or 50 mg/kg/day
Administration:	Gastrointestinal gavage; for 10 consecutive days
Result:	Showed inhibitory rates of 33.1 % and 45.3 % at doses of 30 and 50 mg/kg/day.

Clinical Trial

Molecular Weight

336.36

Formula

C₂₀H₁₈NO₄⁺

CAS No.

2086-83-1

SMILES

COC1=C(OC)C2=C[N+]3=C(C(C(CC3)=C4)=CC5=C4OCO5)C=C2C=C1

Structure Classification

Initial Source

Endogenous metabolite

Shipping

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.

Storage

Please store the product under the recommended conditions in the Certificate of Analysis.

Purity & Documentation

Handling Instructions (2659 KB)

References

[1]. Cai Y, et al. Berberine inhibits the growth of human colorectal adenocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo. J Nat Med. 2014 Jan;68(1):53-62. [Content Brief]

[2]. Cui HX, et al. Preparation and Evaluation of Antidiabetic Agents of Berberine Organic Acid Salts for Enhancing the Bioavailability. Molecules. 2018 Dec 28;24(1):103. [Content Brief]

[3]. Boberek JM, et al., Genetic evidence for inhibition of bacterial division protein FtsZ by berberine. PLoS One. 2010 Oct 29;5(10):e13745. [Content Brief]

[4]. Remppis A, et al., Rhizoma Coptidis inhibits LPS-induced MCP-1/CCL2 production in murine macrophages via an AP-1 and NFkappaB-dependent pathway. Mediators Inflamm. 2010;2010:194896. [Content Brief]

[5]. Bae J, et al., Berberine protects 6-hydroxydopamine-induced human dopaminergic neuronal cell death through the induction of heme oxygenase-1. Mol Cells. 2013 Feb;35(2):151-7. [Content Brief]

[6]. Ye Y, et al., Efficacy and Safety of Berberine Alone for Several Metabolic Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Apr 26;12:653887. [Content Brief]

Berberine Related Classifications

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Berberine (Synonyms: Natural Yellow 18)

Other Forms of Berberine:

81 Publications Citing Use of MCE Berberine

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Berberine (Synonyms: Natural Yellow 18)

Other Forms of Berberine:

Berberine Related Antibodies

81 Publications Citing Use of MCE Berberine

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Biological Activity

Purity & Documentation

References

Customer Review

Berberine Related Antibodies

Berberine Related Classifications

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Dilution Calculator

The molarity calculator equation

The dilution calculator equation

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