Journal of Biological Sciences1727-30481812-5719Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jbs.2013.271.276Lao-OngThinnakorn ChatuphonprasertWaranya JarukamjornKanokwan 42013134Berberine is a major active constituent in several medicinal plants such as Coscinium fenestratum, Berberis aristata, Coptis japonica and Coptis chinensis. Berberine possesses a wide range of biochemical and pharmacological activities including anti-inflammation, anti-microorganism, anti-cancer activities and anti-diabetes. In this study, we determined the effect of berberine, in combination with β-naphthoflavone (BNF, a pro-carcinogen), on the expression of sex-hormone synthesis genes at mRNA level including CYP17, CYP19, 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD1, 17β-HSD3 in mouse testes. The single treatment of berberine up-regulated the expression of testicular CYP17, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD1 mRNA. BNF up-regulated only 17β-HSD1 mRNA. Moreover, the combination of berberine and BNF up-regulated the expression of CYP17 and 3β-HSD. These observations suggested that berberine might disturb sex-hormone synthesis pathway; consequently possibly resulted in modification of estrogen or testosterone synthesis. Therefore, a caution should be noted for the use of berberine as an alternative medicine, especially at high dose or long period.]]>Bates, K.A., A.R. Harvey, M. Carruthers and R.N. Martins,200562281292Bergman-Jungestrom, M., M. Gentile, A.C. Lundin, South-East Breast Cancer Group and S. Wingren,1999cyp17 gene polymorphism and risk of breast cancer in young women.]]>84350353Carani, C., K. Qin, M. Simoni, M. Faustini-Fustini and S. Serpente et al.,19973379195Chatuphonprasert, W., K. Jarukamjorn, S. Kondo and N. Nemoto,2009182233238Chatuphonprasert, W., T. Sangkawat, N. Nemoto and K. Jarukamjorn,201182889895Dawling, S., N. Roodi and F.F. Parl,20036331273132Degawa, M., K. Hanaki and M. Sekimoto,2006973237Kuo, C.L., C.W. Chi and T.Y. Liu,2004in vitro and in vivo.]]>203127137Letasiova, S., S. Jantova, L. Cipak and M. Muckova,2006in vitro and induction of apoptosis/necrosis of the U937 and B16 cells.]]>239254262Liehr, J.G.,2000214054Miller, W.L.,19889295318Morishima, A., M.M. Grumbach, E.R. Simpson, C. Fisher and K. Qin,19958036893698Piyanuch, R., M. Sukhthankar, G. Wandee and S.J. Baek,2007258230240Rojsanga, P., W. Gritsanapan and L. Suntornsuk,2006Coscinium fenestratumby TLC densitometry.]]>15373378Sato, F. and Y. Yamada,1984Coptis japonica.]]>23281285Schmeller, T., B. Latz-Bruning and M. Wink,199744257266Sha, J., P. Baker and P.J. O'Shaughnessy,19962229094Stocco, D.M.,20001486184197Udomsuk, L., T. Juengwatanatrakul, W. Putalun and K. Jarukamjorn,20118211851189Wickenheisser, J.K., V.L. Nelson-DeGrave, K.L. Hendricks, R.S. Legro, J.F. Strauss and J.M. McAllister,20059048584865Wu, H.L., C.Y. Hsu, W.H. Liu and B.Y.M. Yung,199981923939Yanase, T.,199553153157Yanase, T., E.R. Simpson, M.R. Waterman,19911291108Zhang, Q., X. Xiao, K. Feng, T. Wang and W. Li et al.,20112011Zhang, Y., X. Li, D. Zou, W. Liu and J. Yang et al.,20089325592565Zuber, M.X., E.R. Simpson and M.R. Waterman,198623412581261