Berberine-fluconazole microparticle-based combination therapy to treat candidiasis infections.

Aim: This study aims to incorporate alginate microparticles containing berberine and fluconazole into two different types of pharmaceutical formulations, to subsequently evaluate the antifungal activity against Candida albicans.

Methods And Results: Alginate microparticles containing BBR (berberine) and FLU (fluconazole) were produced by the spray-drying technique, characterized and incorporated in two pharmaceutical formulations, a vaginal cream and artificial saliva. Broth microdilution, checkerboard, time-kill curve, and scanning electron microscopy were carried out to determine the antifungal effects of BBR and FLU against C.