Reversal of cholera toxin-induced secretion in rat ileum by luminal berberine.

The effect of luminal berberine hydrochloride concentration on cholera toxin-induced water and electrolyte secretion and on normal water and electrolyte transport was determined in vivo in the cannulated, perfused rat ileum using [14C]polyethylene glycol as a nonabsorbable marker. Berberine reduced the cholera toxin-induced secretion of water, Na, Cl, and calculated residual ion (primarily HCO3) in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of berberine on cholera toxin-induced ileal secretion was evident 60-80 min after exposure and was reversed 60-80 min after removal of berberine from the perfusate. Mild changes in mucosal histology (villous tip edema) due to cholera toxin were also reversed by berberine. Berberine did not significantly alter normal ileal water and electrolyte transport.