berberine + dexamethasone

Berberine + dexamethasone is an experimental combination therapy comprising berberine, a plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloid with anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects, and dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid with potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. This combination has been studied in preclinical models of pulmonary fibrosis, where it demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing lung fibrosis and inflammation compared to either agent alone, likely by reducing chemokine (CXCL14), collagen I/III, matrix metalloproteinase 2/9 expression, and inhibition of Smad2/3 and hedgehog pathway activation. Additional cellular studies suggest berberine may reduce dexamethasone-induced cellular injury, possibly via activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. This combination is not an approved pharmaceutical product and has primarily been investigated in animal models and in experimental nanocomposite delivery systems for autoimmune uveitis[1][2][5][7].