Berberine synergy with amphotericin B against disseminated candidiasis in mice

In present study, we investigated the synergic effect of berberine against disseminated candidiasis caused by the pathogenic fungus, Candida albicans. Berberine inhibited the growth of C. albicans under in-vitro condition. The broth susceptibility revealed the synergic effect of berberine with amphotericin B (Amp B). To confirm these results under the in-vivo condition, the effect was examined in mice against disseminated candidiasis. Results showed mice that were given diluent (negative control), Amp B (0.5 mg/kg of body weight), or berberine (1 mg/kg of body weight) had mean survival times (MST) of approximately 12, 14, and 17 d, respectively. On the contrary, mice that were treated using a combination of the two agents at the same concentrations resulted in a MST value of 36 d, surviving at an average of 22 d longer than the mice group treated only with the Amp B. This MST value was almost same as MST value from the mice that were given four times the Amp B dose. These data indicate that the combination of Amp B and berberine could reduce approximately 75% of the Amp B dose, implying that berberine indeed has synergy with Amp B against the disseminated disease.