Berberine chloride

Natural fluorescent dye, used in histology for staining heparin in mast cells. An isoquinoline alkaloid, which shows antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic, antiviral and anticancer activity. It inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell lines. Broad spectrum enzyme inhibitor, affects N-acetyltransferase, cyclooxygenase-2, and topoisomerase activities and gene/protein expression. Increases adiponectin expression, upregulates LDLR and insulin receptor. Anti-hyperglycemic, by inhibition of aldose reductase, inducing glycolysis, preventing insulin resistance through increasing insulin receptor expression and acting like incretins. Activates AMPK and ERK. Uncompetitive, reversible IDO1 inhibitor with IC₅₀ values of 7 μM (cell-based assay) and 9.3 μM (enzymatic assay), and K_i value 8μM. Inhibits BAFF production in H. pylori-induced chronic gastritis.