Abstract: Objective To investigate the protective effect of berberine on acute hypoxia induced by sodium nitrite (NaNO₂) in mice.MethodsThe animal model of acute hypoxia was established with NaNO₂. Then the mice were treated with berberine by gavage in three different doses of 2.0 mg/kg, 4.0 mg/kg, and 8.0 mg/kg once everyday respectively for 6 days. The survival time according to the last breath, the breath time and open mouth times of animals were recorded. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), maleic dialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in brain tissue were tested. The pathological change was examined by HE staining.ResultsBerberine could significantly prolong the living time of acute hypoxia mice induced by NaNO₂ and breath time after decapitation ( P<0.05, P<0.01), increase the activity of SOD and LDH, decrease the content of MDA and NO in brain tissue of hypoxia mice ( P<0.05, P<0.01). Under microscope, there were meningorrhagia, cellular necrosis in brain tissues of model animals, but no pathological changes found in berberine-treated animals.ConclusionBerberine has certain protective effect on acute hypoxia induced by NaNO₂ in mice.

Key words: berberine, acute hypoxia, brain tissue, sodium nitrite