www.wjpps.com Vol 3, Issue 8, 2014. 1858 Rahmatullah et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences BERBERINE: A POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC CANDIDATE FOR BREAST CANCER A.B.M. Anwarul Bashar 1 , Md. Shahadat Hossan 1 , Rownak Jahan 2 , Abdullah Al- Nahain 1 , A.K.M. Mahmudul Haque 2 , Mohammed Rahmatullah 1 * 1 Department of Pharmacy,University of Development Alternative,Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh 2 Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh ABSTRACT Berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids, and which can be found mostly in plant species belonging to the Berberis genus. Recent studies have demonstrated numerous pharmacological properties of the compound, among which the most pronounced being anticancer effects against a wide variety of cancer cell lines. In this review, we discuss the anticancer effects of berberine against breast cancer and its potential for therapeutic applications. KEY WORDS: Berberine, anticancer, Berberidaceae, breast cancer. INTRODUCTION Berberine [5,6-dihydro-9,10 -dimethoxybenzo(g) -1,3-benzodioxolo(5,6-a) quinolizinium] belongs to the isoquinoline group of alkaloids and can be found in various plants belonging to the Berberis genus. [1-8] Berberine has been shown to be effective in inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis in various cancerous cells. [9] The structure of berberine is shown in Figure 1. WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES SJIF Impact Factor 2.786 V Vo ol l u um me e 3 3, , I Is ss su ue e 8 8, , 1 18 85 58 8- - 1 18 86 69 9. . R Re ev vi i e ew w A Ar rt ti i c cl l e e I IS SS SN N 2278 – 4357 Article Received on 03 June 2014, Revised on 28 June 2014, Accepted on 23 July 2014 *Correspondence for Author Dr. Mohammed Rahmatullah Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative,Dhanmondi, Dhaka -1209, Bangladesh