Berberine (BBR) is a natural active principle with potential antitumor activity. The compound targets multiple cell signaling pathways, including proliferation, differentiation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms behind the anticancer activity of BBR by comparing the effects of purified BBR with those of the extract of Tinospora cordifolia, a medicinal plant that produces this metabolite. The expression levels of a panel of 44 selected genes in human colon adenocarcinoma (HCA-7) cell line were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). BBR treatment resulted in a time- and dose-dependent down regulation of 33 genes differently involved in cell cycle, differentiation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The trend was confirmed across the two types of treatment, the two time points, and the different absolute dosage of BBR. These findings suggest that the presence of BBR in T. cordifolia extract significantly contributes to its antiproliferative activity.

中文翻译：

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小ber碱和tinospora cordifolia通过作用于特定途径对结肠癌细胞发挥潜在的抗癌作用。

小ber碱（BBR）是具有潜在抗肿瘤活性的天然活性成分。该化合物靶向多种细胞信号传导途径，包括增殖，分化和上皮-间质转化。这项研究的目的是通过将纯化的BBR与产生这种代谢产物的药用植物Tinospora cordifolia提取物的作用进行比较，以阐明BBR的抗癌活性背后的机制。通过实时聚合酶链反应（PCR）定量检测人结肠腺癌（HCA-7）细胞系中一组44个选定基因的表达水平。BBR处理导致33种基因的时间和剂量依赖性下调，这些基因分别参与细胞周期，分化和上皮-间质转化。两种治疗方法均证实了这一趋势，两个时间点，以及不同的BBR绝对剂量。这些发现表明，在T.cordifolia提取物中存在BBR对其抗增殖活性有显着贡献。