Berberine—a plant compound found in barberry—may prevent the death of endothelial cells lining blood vessels. This conclusion was reached by scientists from Southwest Medical University in Luzhou, China. The study results were published in the journal Phytotherapy Research (PhytoRes).

Previous research has shown that berberine improves cardiovascular function, lowers blood pressure, and reduces vascular dysfunction. However, the mechanisms behind these effects remained unclear. The new study provides the first detailed explanation of how the compound protects vascular cells.

The researchers focused on the signaling pathway of the kinase EIF2AK2 (also known as protein kinase R, PKR), which regulates aging and destruction of endothelial cells. Experiments showed that methylglyoxal promotes cellular aging and death by activating EIF2AK2. Berberine counteracts this process by blocking the dimerization (binding together of molecules) of EIF2AK2.

The study also found that berberine protects vascular cells by influencing the function of the protein eIF2α. This protein helps cells synthesize new proteins—essentially controlling the “start” of the cellular production line. When eIF2α undergoes chemical modification (phosphorylation), this production line stops, leading to cellular aging and death. Berberine prevents this modification from occurring.

“Our results confirm that berberine can protect blood vessels and has significant therapeutic potential in combating cardiovascular diseases. Targeting the EIF2AK2 molecule may also serve as a basis for the development of new drugs,” the research team noted.