title: Antifungal activity of Rubus chingii extract combined with fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans.
abstract: This study aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of Rubus chingii extract in combination with fluconazole (FLC) against FLC-resistant Candida albicans 100 in vitro. A R. chingii extract and FLC-resistant C. albicans fungus suspension were prepared. The minimum inhibitory concentration and fractional inhibitory concentration index of R. chingii extract combined with FLC against C. albicans were determined, after which growth curves for C. albicans treated with R. chingii extract, FLC alone and a combination of these preparations were constructed. Additionally, the mechanisms of drug combination against C. albicans were explored by flow cytometry, gas chromatographic mass spectrometry and drug efflux pump function detection. R. chingii extract combined with FLC showed significant synergy. Flow cytometry suggested that C. albicans cells mainly arrest in G1 and S phases when they have been treated with the drug combination. The drug combination resulted in a marked decrease in the ergosterol content of the cell membrane. Additionally, efflux of Rhodamine 6G decreased with increasing concentrations of R. chingii extract. R. chingii extract combined with FLC has antifungal activity against FLC-resistant C. albicans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 201199.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 201199.
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 201199.
authors.forename: Yi-qun
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Center for New Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
authors.forename: Yong-bing
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Center for New Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
authors.forename: Yuan-ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004875:Ergosterol / Q000378:metabolism; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000378:metabolism; D065856:Rubus / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012235:Rhodamines; C026188:rhodamine 6G; D015725:Fluconazole; D004875:Ergosterol
keywords: Candida albicans; Rubus Chingii; fluconazole; synergy