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The spectrum of berberine antibacterial and antifungal activities

Isoquinoline alkaloid berberine is a typical multitarget or multicomponent molecule of botanical origin. It is extensively used for hundreds of years in the treatment of various infectious diseases and in traditional medicine. Numerous studies from academic institutions and pharma industry reported several pharmacological effects and efficacy of berberine in the treatment of inflammation, cancer, and diabetes. The plethora of beneficial activities rely on the existence of multiple mechanisms of its action, mainly related to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Considering its antifungal and antibacterial activities, berberine targets bacterial cell walls and cell membranes, as well as DNA and RNA. It disturbs membrane potential and rigidity by forming reactive oxygen species (ROS). The influence on protein expression is evident in affecting efflux pumps. Berberine also potentiates activity of several antibiotics and antifungal drugs, demonstrating synergistic antibacterial activity, and has detrimental effect on biofilm matrix of several pathogens, including multidrug- resistant (MDR) bacteria and yeasts. In this chapter, we focus on the antimicrobial effects of berberine and plausible mechanisms of actions involved, and give future perspective on the potential of berberine-based therapy.

antibacterial ; antifungal ; mechanism ; berberine ; multidrug resistance

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