Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of berberine analogues in LDLR up-regulation and AMPK activation

Bioorg Med Chem. 2012 Nov 15;20(22):6552-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2012.09.029. Epub 2012 Sep 24.

Abstract

Currently there is no approved medicine for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. A series of new derivatives of berberine (BBR) or pseudoberberine (1) was synthesized and evaluated for their activity on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and up-regulatory low-density-lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene expression, respectively. In addition, the four major metabolites of BBR in vivo were also examined for their activity on AMPK in order to further understand the chemical mechanisms responsible for its glucose-lowering efficacy. Among those BBR analogues, compound 1 exhibited the potential effect on AMPK activation and LDLR up-regulation as compared with BBR. The results suggested that compound 1 might be a multiple-target agent for the treatment of metabolic syndrome, and thus was selected as a promising drug candidate for further development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Berberine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Berberine / chemical synthesis
  • Berberine / pharmacology
  • Berberine Alkaloids / chemical synthesis*
  • Berberine Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Berberine Alkaloids / pharmacology
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Receptors, LDL / genetics
  • Receptors, LDL / metabolism*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • Berberine Alkaloids
  • Receptors, LDL
  • pseudoberberine
  • Berberine
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases