The Efficacy of an Active Medicinal Alkaloid, Berbamine, in Reducing Overactive Bladder Symptoms in a Retinyl Acetate-Induced Model

We aimed to determine whether berbamine (BBM) would have an effect on retinyl acetate (RA)-induced cystometric and biochemical parameters, characteristic of bladder overactivity. BBM exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and muscle-relaxant effects which could counteract pathophysiological mechanisms observed in overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome. The cohort of 60 rats was divided into 4 groups: I-control, II-RA group, III-BBM, and IV-group with the combination of RA + BBM. The cystometry, BBF, cardiovascular parameters and diuresis, the analysis of the cFos, and biochemical biomarker levels were analyzed 48 h after completion of BRB administration. The examined substance turned out to reverse the cystometric changes and c-Fos expression changes induced by RA when compared to the control group. There were no significant changes observed in the analyzed groups of animals MAP, HR, BBF, or UP. Importantly, BBM also turned out to reduce the level of OAB biomarkers present in urine (NGF, BDNF), urothelium (TRPV1, SNAP29, ATP, CGRP, or OCT-3), bladder detrusor muscle (VAChT, Rho kinase) as well as to reduce the exponents of oxidative stress (3-nitrotyrosine, malondialdehyde). The multifactorial explanation of the successful alleviation of the RA-induced detrusor overactivity makes the concept of incorporation of BBM in the OAB treatment promising for the future research.