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|Section2= |Section3= }} Berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids. It is found in such plants as ''Berberis'' (''Berberis aquifolium'' (Oregon grape), ''Berberis vulgaris'' (barberry), ''Berberis aristata'' (tree turmeric) ), ''Hydrastis canadensis'' (goldenseal), ''Xanthorhiza simplicissima'' (yellowroot), ''Phellodendron amurense'' (Amur cork tree), ''Coptis chinensis'' (Chinese goldthread 黄连素 or Huang Lian Su), ''Tinospora cordifolia'', ''Argemone mexicana'' (prickly poppy), and ''Eschscholzia californica'' (Californian poppy). Berberine is usually found in the roots, rhizomes, stems, and bark. Berberine was supposedly used in China as a broad-spectrum anti-microbial medicine by Shennong around 3000 BC. This first recorded use of Berberine is described in the ancient Chinese medical book The Divine Farmer's Herb-Root Classic. Due to Berberine's strong yellow color, ''Berberis'' species were used to dye wool, leather, and wood. Wool is still dyed with berberine today in northern India. Under ultraviolet light, berberine shows a strong yellow fluorescence, so it is used in histology for staining heparin in mast cells. As a natural dye, berberine has a colour index of 75160. ==Traditional use== As a Chinese traditional medicine or dietary supplement, berberine has shown some activity against fungal infections, ''Candida albicans'', yeast, parasites, and bacterial/viral infections. Berberine seems to exert synergistic effects with fluconazole even in drug-resistant ''C. albicans'' infections. Some research has been undertaken into possible use against MRSA infection. Berberine is considered antibiotic.〔Li Y., Zuo G.-Y. 'Advances in studies on antimicrobial activities of alkaloids" Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs 2010 41:6 (1006-1014)〕 When applied ''in vitro'' and in combination with methoxyhydnocarpin, an inhibitor of multidrug resistance pumps, berberine inhibits growth of ''Staphylococcus aureus'' and ''Microcystis aeruginosa'', a toxic cyanobacterium. Berberine is a component of some eye drop formulations. There is some evidence it is useful in the treatment of trachoma, and it has been a standard treatment for leishmaniasis. Berberine prevents and suppresses proinflammatory cytokines, E-selectin, and genes, and increases adiponectin expression which partly explains its versatile health effects. Berberine is a nucleic acid-binding isoquinoline alkaloid with wide potential therapeutic properties. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「berberine」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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