SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article
Front. Psychiatry
Sec. Mood Disorders
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1653929
This article is part of the Research TopicBridging Traditional and Modern Medicine: The Role of Botanicals in HealthcareView all 7 articles
The Effects of Berberine on Depressive Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Preclinical Studies
Provisionally accepted
Xiaona Xiao Li1,2,3
Mei Lu1,2Xingkun Wang1,2Di Wu1,2Yongmei Chen1,2Ming Tao1,2*
Dengqun Gou1Runyu Yang4,5
Zhou Jiamei1- 1Department of Nursing, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- 2Nursing School, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- 3The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
- 4West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- 5Sichuan University West China Hospital School of Nursing, Chengdu, China
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Despite preclinical evidence for berberine's antidepressant potential, its pharmacological effects remain controversial.This study therefore systematically reviews animal research to clarify its mechanisms and support future clinical trials.We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and OVID for studies on berberine in depression models up to March 20, 2025. Analysis used STATA 15.0 and Review Manager 5.4, with study quality assessed via SYRCLE's risk of bias tool. The meta-analysis included 18 studies (338animals). Overall, berberine significantly reduced depression-like behaviors in animal models.Specifically, BBR increased total locomotor activity in the open field test (SMD=2.79, 95% CI: 1.55, 4.02) and time spent in the center zone (SMD=2.49, 95% CI:1.61, 3.37), reduced immobility time in both the forced swim test and tail suspension test (SMD =-4.42, 95% CI:-5.77,-3.07; SMD=-4.46, 95% CI:-6.21, -2.71), increased sucrose intake in the sucrose preference test (SMD=2.79,95%CI:1.55,4.02), and reduced feeding latency in the novelty-suppressed feeding test (SMD=-5.72, 95% CI:-7.63, -3.82). However, BBR did not significantly alter the number of square crossings (SMD=1.36, 95%CI:-0.07 , 2.79) or rearing frequency (SMD=1.66, 95% CI: -0.29, 3.61) in the open field test. BBR also increased the levels of body weight, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine,while reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.Preclinical studies suggest that berberine may represent a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of depressive disorders. Its antidepressant effects appear to be closely associated with the modulation of neurotransmitter levels,reduction of oxidative stress, and inhibition of inflammatory responses.However, methodological limitations may constrain these findings. Larger, more rigorous preclinical studies are needed for confirmation.
Keywords: depression1, Berberine2, Coptisine3, meta-analysis4, Animal mode5, Systematic review6
Received: 26 Jun 2025; Accepted: 18 Aug 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Li, Lu, Wang, Wu, Chen, Tao, Gou, Yang and Jiamei. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Ming Tao, Department of Nursing, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
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