Effect of Berberine on Bcl-2 Expression in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Compared with Healthy Controls

Background and purpose: Anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 prevents apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway and high-level expression of Bcl-2 is required for survival of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Berberine (BBR) is an alkaloid that induces apoptosis of cancer cells via mitochondrial pathways. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Berberine on Bcl-2 gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of CLL patients compared to healthy subjects in vitro. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, peripheral blood was obtained from 12 CLL patients and six age-matched healthy subjects. PBMCs were isolated by Ficoll separation and were cultured in two groups for 48 hours incubation; treated with Berberine (25 μM) and untreated. Finally, Bcl-2 gene expression was investigated in both groups following RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis by Real time PCR using SYBR Green method. Results: Bcl-2 gene expression levels in CLL patients treated with Berberine were significantly lower than those of the untreated group (P<0.05), but no significant differences were found between healthy subjects treated with Berberine and control group. Conclusion: The apoptotic activity of Berberine may be mediated through the reduction of Bcl-2 mRNA expression level in leukemic cells of CLL. Considering the major role of Bcl-2 in survival of tumor cells, Berberine could be considered as a natural therapeutic option for CLL.