Berberine and Palmatine Show Superior Antifungal Activity Against Microsporum canis Original paper
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
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Karen Pendergrass
Read MoreKaren Pendergrass is a microbiome researcher specializing in microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs). She systematically analyzes scientific literature to identify microbial patterns, develop hypotheses, and validate interventions. As the founder of the Microbiome Signatures Database, she bridges microbiome research with clinical practice. In 2012, based on her own investigative research, she became the first documented case of FMT for Celiac Disease—four years before the first published case study.
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Microbes
Microbes
Microbes, short for microorganisms, are tiny living organisms that are ubiquitous in the environment, including on and inside the human body. They play a crucial role in human health and disease, functioning within complex ecosystems in various parts of the body, such as the skin, mouth, gut, and respiratory tract. The human microbiome, which is […]
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Microsporum canis (M. canis)
Microsporum canis (M. canis)
OverviewMicrosporum canis (M. canis) is a zoophilic dermatophyte common in cats and dogs, responsible for 90% of feline dermatophytoses worldwide.[1][2] It has significant zoonotic potential, transmitting to humans through fomites or direct animal contact, causing severe superficial mycosis. M. canis is considered anthropo-zoophilic and can infect pediatric or immunocompromised patients, causing severe inflammatory responses such […]
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Karen Pendergrass
Read More
Researched by:
-
Karen Pendergrass
ID
Karen Pendergrass
Read More
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Karen Pendergrass
What was studied?
This study investigated the antifungal efficacy and underlying mechanism of berberine hydrochloride and palmatine hydrochloride—two alkaloids derived from Phellodendron amurense—against Microsporum canis, a dermatophyte responsible for zoonotic skin infections. The researchers performed both in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess antifungal activity, determine minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), and evaluate morphological changes using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Gene expression analysis of eight M. canis-related genes (including PGAL4, FSH1, NADH1, PQ-LRP, NDR, SC, and ZTZ) was conducted via real-time PCR. An in vivo rabbit dermatitis model was used to evaluate clinical efficacy, histological fungal burden, and NADH enzyme activity.
Who was studied?
The study involved M. canis strains isolated from rabbits and a total of 50 male New Zealand rabbits, each aged 31 days and weighing 400–450 grams. The rabbits were divided into five treatment groups receiving topical applications of berberine, palmatine, their combination, clotrimazole, or DMSO as control.
Most important findings
The combination of berberine and palmatine (B-P) exhibited superior antifungal effects compared to individual compounds or clotrimazole. Notably, palmatine acted earlier in gene upregulation, while berberine sustained antifungal activity longer, indicating a synergistic mechanism. Clotrimazole, while potent in MIC assays, performed less effectively in vivo, likely due to cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression interfering with its bioactivity. Key findings include:
| Finding | Result |
|---|---|
| MIC Values | Berberine: 1 mg/mL, Palmatine: 1 mg/mL, Clotrimazole: 0.015 mg/mL |
| TEM Observation | Drug-treated M. canis showed disrupted membranes and organelles (page 6) |
| Gene Expression | B-P significantly upregulated PGAL4, FSH1, PQ-LRP, NADH1, NDR, SC, and ZTZ at 30 h |
| NADH Enzyme | B-P increased NADH enzyme expression, correlating with gene activity (page 11) |
| Clinical Score | B-P group had lower lesion scores than single agents or clotrimazole at days 9–17 (pages 7 & 13) |
| Histology | PAS staining showed fewer fungal elements in B-P treated skin compared to all other groups (page 13) |
Key implications
This study highlights a promising plant-derived therapeutic strategy for treating dermatophytosis caused by M. canis. The berberine-palmatine combination not only disrupted fungal cell membranes but also modulated the expression of genes associated with virulence and metabolism, suggesting a dual mechanism of action. From a microbiome perspective, this study underscores the value of targeting microbial metabolic and transport pathways (e.g., NADH1, ZTZ) and supports the clinical utility of natural antifungals as adjuncts or alternatives to synthetic agents like azoles. Given the rising resistance to conventional antifungals and the zoonotic risk posed by M. canis, this research offers a translational path for developing novel, microbiome-compatible antifungal therapies in both veterinary and human medicine.