Berberine as a Nutritional Modulator in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition charac-terized by deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors, often ac-companied by comorbidities such as gastrointestinal dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and oxidative stress. Emerging evidence suggests that nutritional interventions targeting underlying pathophysiological mechanisms may offer adjunctive benefits. Berberine, a natural isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from various medicinal plants, exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. Recent preclinical studies have demonstrated that berberine can modulate key pathways implicated in ASD, such as the gut microbiota–brain axis, neuroinflammatory cascades, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress responses. The ability of ber-berine to restore intestinal barrier integrity, suppress microglial activation, balance neuro-transmitter systems, and regulate key signaling pathways such as NF-κB and Nrf2