Abstract: Objective To investigate the synergistic effect of tetrandrine and fluconazole on the growth of fluconazole-sensitive and-resistant Candida albicans in vitro.Methods The minimum concentration at which tetrandrine had no cytotoxic effect on C.albicans was determined by microdilution test.The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)of fluconazole alone and in combination with tetrandrine was determined against 16 strains of C.albicans by NCCLS M27-A microdilution method.Results When the concentration of tetrandrine was≤40μg/mL,the survival rate of C.albicans was greater than 95%.Tetrandrine (30～40μg/mL)inhibited the C.albicans strains from forming hyphae.The MICs of fluconazole alone to the above strains were 0.250～64μg/mL,while those of fluconazole in combination with tetrandrine (40μg/mL)were 0.125～16μg/mL,and the so-called“trailing”phenomenon disappeared.Conclusion Tetrandrine acts synergistically with fluconazole in the activity against both fluconazole-sensitive and-resistant C.albicans in vitro.

Key words: Fluconazole, Tetrandrine, Candida albicans, Microbial sensitivity tests