RESUMO
Atherosclerosis is usually the underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases. With the change in diet structure and living environment, it has become an increasingly serious global health problem, posing a huge challenge to public health. Berberine, also known as flavonidol, is an isoquinoline-type quaternary alkaloid with purgative and detoxifying effects. Berberine and its derivatives have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and atherosclerosis prevention effects, etc. Recent research results showed that berberine and its derivatives can play an important role in atherosclerosis prevention through a hypolipidemic effect, anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory activity, improvement of vascular endothelial dysfunction, and regulation of intestinal microbiota. In this review paper, the research progress on the mechanism of action of berberine and its derivatives in the prevention of atherosclerosis was reviewed from the perspectives of a lipid-regulating effect, inhibition of oxidative stress and the inflammatory response, improvement of vascular endothelial dysfunction, and regulation of intestinal microbiota. The aim of this paper is to provide a theoretical basis for reducing the occurrence of atherosclerosis, improving the clinical symptoms of patients, and further developing berberine-based drugs.