Advances in Structural Modifications and Biological Activities of Berberine: An Active Compound in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Chinese herbs such as Coptidis Rhizome. This paper is a systematic review of the structural modifications of berberine for different biological activities such as antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-Alzheimer's disease, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory and antimalaria. The current review would provide some useful information for further studies on structural modification of berberine for discovering new drug leads. Keywords: Berberine, structural modification, biological activities, isoquinoline alkaloid, Chinese herbs, Coptidis Rhizome, antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-Alzheimer's disease, antihyperglycemic, antimalaria