Level D· Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studiesAnimal StudyPubMedOpen access

Berberine inhibits metastasis of ovarian cancer by blocking lipid metabolism, alleviating aging of adipose tissue and increasing tumor infiltrating immune cells.

Zhang X., Xiong B., Cheng Y., Huang J., Xue J., Li X.

Animal Study, published in Transl Oncol (2025) — summary generated from the PubMed abstract.

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Level D· Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studiesEvidence level of this study

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

  • Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
  • Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
  • Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
  • Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
  • Emerging · Emerging topic under active research
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This page is generated from the PubMed record. The Thai description is an automated summary of bibliographic fields and the abstract, not a full translation, and is not medical advice.

Study type
Animal Study
Journal
Transl Oncol (2025)
Country
United States
Reported sample size
—
Source database
PubMed
PMID
40252400
PMCID
PMC12033994
DOI
10.1016/j.tranon.2025.102380
Citations
8

Abstract (original English)

Extensive peritoneal metastasis and malignant ascites continue to pose substantial challenges in achieving favorable treatment outcomes for ovarian cancer. Berberine (BBR), an active component of numerous traditional Chinese herbs, has demonstrated potent anti - tumor effects across various malignancies, including ovarian cancer. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the impact of BBR on the growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer both in vitro and in vivo. RNA - sequencing was employed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Specifically, we investigated lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function in ovarian cancer cells and mice, comparing BBR - treated and untreated groups. Additionally, CIBERSORT analysis and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were utilized to confirm BBR's ability to enhance the infiltration of tumor-infiltrating immune cells into adipose tissue and improve the inflammatory tumor microenvironment. Our findings indicate that BBR significantly inhibits the growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo. The effects can be attributed to two key processes. Firstly, BBR suppresses the lipid metabolism by downregulating lipid uptake related receptor CD36, lipid metabolic enzyme and mitochondrial function. Secondly, BBR alleviates the aging of adipose tissue and adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs), thereby decreasing the secretion of senescence

What this study does not prove

  • • This study does not prove SVF is an approved treatment or a replacement for standard care.
  • • This is preclinical work; animal or laboratory results cannot be applied to humans.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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