Berberine inhibits dyslipidemia in C57BL/6 mice with lipopolysaccharide induced inflammation

Background: Inhibiting the action of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) on the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) has emerged as a novel therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia. Here we investigated the effect of berberine, natural plant extracts, on PCSK9-LDLR pathway in C57BL/6 mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation. Methods: Forty female mice were divided into four groups (n =10): control, LPS (5 mg/kg), LPS + berberine 10 (5 mg/kg LPS plus 10 mg/kg berberine), and LPS + berberine 30 (5 mg/kg LPS plus 30 mg/kg berberine). Changes in the levels of blood lipids [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)]; pro-inflammatory cytokines [interferon-gamma (IFN gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha)], 8-isoprostane, hepatic expressions of PCSK9 and LDLR were determined. Results: Berberine pretreatment reduced the expression of hepatic PCSK9, decreased the plasma TC, TG, LDL-C, IFN gamma, TNF alpha, IL-1 alpha, and 8-isoprostane concentrations; increased HDL-C level and LDLR expression in mice. Conclusion: The present results suggest that berberine inhibits dyslipidemia in C57BL/6 mice with LPS induced inflammation through regulating PCSK9-LDLR pathway.