〔Abstract〕 Objective To investigate the regulatory effects and partial mechanisms of berberine(BBR) on podocyte epithelial mesenchymal transformation(EMT) and apoptosis induced by high glucose(HG). Methods Podocytes at exponential growth stage were divided into normal group, high glucose group and berberine group(30, 60 and 90 μmol/L). The rate of podocyte apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Transwell and scratch assay were used to detect podocyte migration. Western blot was used to detect the expression of apoptosis protein Bim, podocyte EMT-associated proteins nephrin, α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), vimentin and tyrosine kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transductor and transcriptional activator 3(STAT3) pathway-related proteins. Laser confocal method was used to detect the expression of EMT-related proteins nephrin, α-SMA and vimentin in podocytes. Results Flow cytometry results showed that BBR(30, 60 and 90 μmol/L) could reduce the rate of podocyte apoptosis in high glucose environment. Transwell and scratch test results showed that BBR(30, 60 and 90 μmol/L) could inhibit abnormal podocytes migration in high glucose environment. Western blot results showed that BBR(30, 60 and 90 μmol/L) could decrease the protein expression of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, α-SMA, vimentin and Bim, and increase the protein expression of nephrin in podocytes under high glucose condition. Laser confocal results showed that the BBR(30, 60, and 90 μmol/L) could decrease the expression of α-SMA and vimentin in podocyte cytoplasm, increase the expression of nephrin in podocyte nucleus and cytoplasm. Conclusion BBR may alleviate the EMT and apoptosis of podocytes induced by high glucose through JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.