Research progress on the preparation of berberine nano-drug delivery system and the improvement of its bioavailability

doi:10.5246/jcps.2026.03.015

Abstract

Abstract:

Berberine (BBR) is a major bioactive alkaloid found in Coptis chinensis Franch., Coptis deltoidea C.Y. Cheng et Hsiao, Coptis teeta Wall., and Phellodendron chinense Schneid. of the Rutaceae family, as well as in certain species of the Brassicaceae. Extensive studies have demonstrated that BBR exerts a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, hypoglycemic, antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, and antibacterial effects. Nevertheless, its clinical application has been hampered by intrinsic limitations such as a short biological half-life, poor water solubility, and low bioavailability. In recent years, nanotechnology-based delivery systems for BBR have attracted considerable attention as promising strategies to overcome these barriers. This review systematically summarizes the classification and preparation methods of BBR nanoformulations, highlights their potential in enhancing drug targeting and improving tissue distribution, and discusses future perspectives to inform the development and therapeutic applications of BBR-based nanomedicines.

Key words: Berberine, Nanoformulations, Targeting, Drug delivery, Tissue distribution

Supporting:

Shitao Zou, Zhiwen Hou, Lina Zou, Yanyu Li, Huaqing Lin, Mengqiong Shi, Haiming Tang, Shimei Li, Jie Xu, Jihong Zhang. Research progress on the preparation of berberine nano-drug delivery system and the improvement of its bioavailability[J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2026, 35(3): 209-242.

Figures/Tables 7

Table 1. Pharmacokinetic parameters of different dosage forms of BBR.

Table 2. Preparation details of BBR NP formulation.

Table 3. AUC enhancement of different nanoformulations.

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