Impact of Berberine on Some Epigenetic, Transcription Regulation and Inflammatory Biomarkers in a Mice Model of Epilepsy

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most widespread neurological disease worldwide. Status epilepticus
(SE) is a life-threatening neurologic disorder. Neuroprotective approaches are increasingly to discover a
promising therapy to manage epileptic disorders. This study aimed to assess the impact of berberine on
some epigenetic, transcription regulation & inflammatory biomarkers in a mice model of epilepsy.
Methods: This work was performed on; Group I: (control), Group II: berberine‐treated control,
Group III: epilepsy group, Group IV: berberine‐treated epilepsy. Groups were subjected to
assessment of Tumor growth factor-1ꞵ (TGF-1ꞵ), hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), brain derived
neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity & neuronal restrictive silencing
factor (NRSF) gene expression.
Results: Study showed significant increase in levels of HIF-1α, TGF-1β, HDAC activity & NRSF gene
expression in epilepsy group & decrease in these levels in berberine treated epilepsy group. Significant
decrease in BDNF levels in epilepsy & elevation in them in berberine treated epilepsy group.
Conclusions: Our study showed the anti-epileptic impact of berberine via its regulatory effect on some epigenetic,
transcription factors & inflammatory biomarkers in a mice model of epilepsy