Effect of berberine on barrier function in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line.

Purpose: To examine the effects of berberine, an alkaloid isolated from some medicinal herbs, on the disruption of the barrier function in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta).

Methods: ARPE-19 cells were cultured to confluence. Berberine and IL-1beta were added to the medium. Barrier functions were evaluated by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and the permeability to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and sodium fluorescein (SF).

Results: Berberine dose-dependently inhibited decreased TER and increased the permeability to HRP and SF in the cells stimulated with IL-1beta.

Conclusions: Berberine dose-dependently inhibited the disruption of the barrier function in the ARPE-19 cell line induced by IL-1beta.