Berberine-taxifolin co-administration attenuates inflammatory response and intestinal barrier injury via nf-κB/NLRP3 suppression in colitis

Miao G, Zhang D, Sui Z, Leng J, Deng Y, Gu X, Cao H (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Frontiers in Immunology Frontiers Research Foundation / Frontiers Media

Book Volume: 16

Article Number: 1725084

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1725084

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is pathologically characterized by dysregulated inflammation and compromised intestinal barrier integrity. While multi-component herbal formulations hold promise for IBD management, the combined potential of specific phytochemical combinations remains underexplored. This study investigates the cooperative therapeutic effects of Berberine and Taxifolin, two anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, in a murine colitis model. Multi-omics network pharmacology initially identified their shared anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic targets in IBD pathogenesis. Experimental validation demonstrated that combined treatment with berberine and taxifolin produced stronger protective effects against Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced colitis than either compound alone. Specifically, the combination significantly alleviated body weight loss and colon shortening, reduced macrophage infiltration and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α), and preserved intestinal barrier integrity by restoring tight junction proteins (occludin and ZO-1). In addition, the combined treatment attenuated caspase-3-mediated epithelial apoptosis. Molecular docking analysis suggested that berberine and taxifolin may interact with multiple inflammation-related targets, including NF-κB, NLRP3, PPARγ, and STAT3, providing a potential mechanistic basis for the observed effects. These findings establish Berberine-Taxifolin co-administration as a novel multi-target therapeutic strategy that concurrently addresses inflammatory dysregulation, barrier repair, and apoptosis control in IBD, and may provide a phytochemical blueprint for complex inflammatory disorders.

Involved external institutions

Nanjing Medical University / 南京医科大学 CN China (CN) Nantong University / 南通大学 CN China (CN) Nanjing University Hospital / 南京大学医院 CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Miao, G., Zhang, D., Sui, Z., Leng, J., Deng, Y., Gu, X., & Cao, H. (2026). Berberine-taxifolin co-administration attenuates inflammatory response and intestinal barrier injury via nf-κB/NLRP3 suppression in colitis. Frontiers in Immunology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1725084

MLA:

Miao, Ganggang, et al. "Berberine-taxifolin co-administration attenuates inflammatory response and intestinal barrier injury via nf-κB/NLRP3 suppression in colitis." Frontiers in Immunology 16 (2026).

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