Research progress in structural modification and pharmacological activities of berberine

Berberine was an isoquinoline type alkaloid extracted from Chinese herbs such as Coptis chinensis. Recently, as a great many berberine derivatives had been synthesized with comprehensive physiological functions, the structural modification and application of berberine showed great promising significance. Recent literatures had been systematically analyzed and summarized in this review. With abundant pharmacological activities of berberine different sites'derivatives had been presented, systematical information of berberine structural modification as a lead compound and new drug R&D were provided in this article.