Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant public health problem. This study investigated the antimicrobial properties and mechanisms of berberine (BBR), a plant alkaloid, against MRSA, evaluating its potential to enhance antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: Berberine only demonstrated variable but significant inhibitory effects on 50 clinical MRSA strains. When combined with antibiotics, synergistic effects were observed only with amikacin in 6 of the 50 MRSA strains. BBR disrupted MRSA cell wall integrity, leading to leakage of cellular contents. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that BBR targets multiple pathways essential for bacterial survival. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed the potent antimicrobial activity of berberine against MRSA and its capability to act synergistically with traditional antibiotics. Berberine's impact on cell wall integrity and bacterial survival pathways highlights its potential as an adjunct therapy in MRSA treatment.
Source: BMC Microbiology
Authors: Fangfang Zhou, Xuemei Gu, Wei Wang, Ming Lin, Lei Wang
Institutions: Jiangsu University, Shanghai Eighth People Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,890
OpenAlex ID: W4405824490