In vitro susceptibility testing of Candida albicans to berberine hydrochdoride / 中华皮肤科杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo test the antifungal activity of berberine (BBR) against Candida albicans in vitro. MethodsAccording 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. ResultsThe 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 fluconazoleresistant strains, additive effects in 56.7％, indifferent effects in 16.7％, antagonistic effects in none. Conclu sionIn vitro, BBR has antifungal activity against Candida albicans and can enhance the activity of fluconazole against Candida albicans.