Berberine down-regulates the Th1/Th2 cytokine gene expression ratio in mouse primary splenocytes in the absence or presence of lipopolysaccharide in a preventive manner.

Berberine is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid. This study investigated the effects of berberine on cytokine gene expression in mouse primary splenocytes in the absence or presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using 4 different experimental models in vitro. The relative expression of the following cytokine genes was determined using a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay: pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10, T-helper type 1 (Th1) (IL-2), and Th2 (IL-4) cytokines. The results showed that berberine down-regulated ratios of the relative Th1 (IL-2)/Th2 (IL-4) cytokines expression fold in mouse primary splenocytes in the absence or presence of LPS in a preventive manner. This study suggests that berberine may possess anti-inflammatory potential by shifting the Th1/Th2 balance toward Th2 polarization.