Berberine induces autophagy in glioblastoma by targeting the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1-pathway

There is an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Previous studies have shown that berberine (BBR), a natural plant alkaloid, has potent anti-tumor activity. However, the mechanisms leading to cancer cell death have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we show that BBR has profound effects on the metabolic state of GBM cells, leading to high autophagy flux and impaired glycolytic capacity. Functionally, these alterations reduce the invasive properties, proliferative potential and induce apoptotic cell death. The molecular alterations preceding these changes are characterized by inhibition of the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway. Finally, we demonstrate that BBR significantly reduces tumor growth in vivo, demonstrating the potential clinical benefits for autophagy modulating plant alkaloids in cancer therapy.