Neuroprotective effect of berberine agonist against impairment of learning and memory skills in severe traumatic brain injury via Sirt1/p38 MAPK expression.

Berberine has multiple clinical applications, including the treatment of tumors, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, bacterial and viral infections, cerebral ischemic injuries, mental diseases, Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis. In the present study, the neuroprotective effect of berberine agonist rescue learning and memory in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), and the possible mechanism underlying these observations was explored. The protective effect of berberine agonist significantly recovered learning and memory skills, attenuated brain edema and inhibited matrix metalloproteinase‑3 and ‑9 protein expression in mice with severe TBI. Berberine agonist significantly reduced inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis levels in mice with severe TBI. Berberine agonist promoted choline acetyltransferase activity and inhibited the activity of acetylcholinesterase. Collectively, results of the present study revealed that the neuroprotective effect of berberine agonist rescues learning and memory skills in severe TBI.