Berberine treatment decreases the severity of NEC. (A) Rats were assessed for tissue damage and NEC grades of M, I or S were recognized as positive indicators of NEC. (B) Hematoxylin and eosin staining of the terminal ilea. Scale bar, 100 µm. *P<0.05. NEC, necrotizing enterocolitis; S, severe; I, intermediate; M, moderate; L, low; N, normal