Berberine enhances chemosensitivity to irinotecan in colon cancer via inhibition of NF‑κB.

Previous studies have shown that irinotecan (CPT‑11) impairs chemotherapy‑induced apoptosis by activating nuclear factor‑κB (NF‑κB) and a number of strategies have been employed to augment chemosensitivity through the suppression of NF‑κB activation. Berberine, a botanical alkaloid, was reported to enhance chemosensitivity to 5‑fluorouracil and doxorubicin by suppressing NF‑κB activation. In the present study, the effect of berberine on CPT‑11‑induced apoptosis was investigated through the inhibition of NF‑κB. Inhibition of NF‑κB activation by p65 small interfering RNA was shown to potentiate apoptosis induced by CPT‑11. Berberine suppressed CPT‑11‑induced NF‑κB activation in a dose‑dependent manner and enhanced chemosensitivity to CPT‑11 by downregulating NF‑κB activation of antiapoptotic genes, c‑IAP1, c‑IAP2, survivin and Bcl‑xL. The current observations indicate that berberine inhibits NF‑κB activation and may be used to enhance CPT‑11‑induced apoptosis in colon cancer.