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Inhibitory Effects of Berberine Hydrochloride on Trichophyton mentagrophytes and the Underlying Mechanisms

Chen Wen Xiao1, Yan Liu2, Qiang Wei3

  • 1Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China. xiaochenwen@zaas.ac.cn.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 23, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Berberine hydrochloride effectively inhibits Trichophyton mentagrophytes growth and treats associated dermatosis in rabbits. This study reveals its antifungal mechanisms, including down-regulation of 14α-demethylase, aiding new antifungal drug development.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • *Trichophyton mentagrophytes* infections cause significant economic losses in rabbit farming.
  • Berberine, a natural alkaloid, exhibits antimicrobial properties against various pathogens, including *T. mentagrophytes*.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the inhibitory effect of berberine hydrochloride on *T. mentagrophytes* growth.
  • To elucidate the underlying antifungal mechanisms of berberine hydrochloride through transcriptomics analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Growth curve analysis by dry weight determination.
  • In-vivo antifungal assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) / transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for morphological changes.
  • Transcriptomics analysis (unigene identification, Gene Ontology, KEGG, KOG categorization) and gene expression analysis (14α-demethylase).

Main Results:

  • Berberine hydrochloride significantly inhibited *T. mentagrophytes* growth compared to control and showed comparable efficacy to clotrimazole.
  • *T. mentagrophytes* exhibited significant shrinkage after berberine or clotrimazole treatment.
  • Transcriptomics revealed alterations in gene expression, notably the down-regulation of 14α-demethylase by berberine hydrochloride (fold change -3.4956).

Conclusions:

  • Berberine hydrochloride effectively inhibits *T. mentagrophytes* growth and cures dermatosis in rabbits.
  • Down-regulation of 14α-demethylase is a potential antifungal mechanism of berberine hydrochloride, possibly contributing to overcoming resistance.
  • The study provides valuable transcriptomic data for developing novel antifungal therapies against *T. mentagrophytes*.
Keywords:
T. mentagrophytesberberineinhibitory effectsunderlying mechanisms

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