Berberine hydrochloride counteracts enhanced IL-8 expression induced by SN 38 in AGS cells.

IL-8 over-expression could enhance cancer metastasis. In present study, berberine hydrochloride (BER) triggered proliferative inhibition and G2/M arrest in AGS cells, down-regulated protein expression of cyclin B1, Bcl-2, up-regulated expression of p21, p53 and cleaved caspase 3, but showed no effect on protein expression of CHOP, Bip, and caspase 4. BER could down-regulate the enhanced IL-8 expression through down-regulating ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK over-activation induced by SN 38. The increased IL-8 mediated adhesive ability of AGS cells to HUVECs induced by SN 38, could be reduced by BER. Thus, BER could reduce the side-effect of SN 38 in clinic.