Berberine chloride

Yellow to orange powder. Soluble in DMSO or methanol. Slightly soluble in ethanol or water. Natural fluorescent dye, used in histology for staining heparin in mast cells. An isoquinoline alkaloid, which shows antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic, antiviral and anticancer activity. It inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell lines. Broad spectrum enzyme inhibitor, affects N-acetyltransferase, cyclooxygenase-2, and topoisomerase activities and gene/protein expression. Increases adiponectin expression, upregulates LDLR and insulin receptor. Anti-hyperglycemic, by inhibition of aldose reductase, inducing glycolysis, preventing insulin resistance through increasing insulin receptor expression and acting like incretins. Activates AMPK and ERK.