Retraction: Berberine Chloride Mediates Its Anti-Leishmanial Activity via Differential Regulation of the Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Pathway in Macrophages

Abstract

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After this article [1] was published, concerns were raised regarding results presented in Figs 2–4.

Specifically:

Corresponding author MC stated that the left β-actin panels are the same image in Figs 2F, 3A, and 4A, and that the right β-actin panels are the same image in Figs 2F, 3A, and 4A. They stated that the target genes iNOS, IL-12p40, and IL-10 were analyzed under the same experimental conditions, using the same set of cDNA samples and the same PCR plate. They also stated that the original data underlying these results are no longer available. The authors did not respond to editorial request for comment regarding the above similarities between IL-10 and β-actin, or β-actin from different experimental conditions.

In light of the above unresolved concerns that question the reliability of the reported results, the PLOS One Editors retract this article.

PS, AS, AM, and MC agreed with the retraction. SB and SM either did not respond directly or could not be reached.