Abstract:

Objective To test the antifungal activity of berberine（BBR） against Candida albicans in vitro. Methods According to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards （NCCLS） M27-A protocol, broth microdilution test was performed to assess the susceptibility of 30 clinical isolates of Candida albicans to BBR and fluconazole alone or in combination. Results The geometric mean minimum inhibitory concentration （MIC） was 248.18 mg/L and 2.64 mg/L for BBR and fluconazole alone, respectively. When combined with BBR of 320, 160 and 80 mg/L, the geometric mean MIC decreased to 0.03, 0.35 and 1.35 mg/L respectively for fluconazole. Fluconazole and BBR showed synergistic effects in 26.7% of these isolates including 3 fluconazole-resistant strains, additive effects in 56.7%, indifferent effects in 16.7%, antagonistic effects in none. Conclusion In vitro, BBR has antifungal activity against Candida albicans and can enhance the activity of fluconazole against Candida albicans.

Key words: Susceptibility test