Antifungal Activity of Aqueous Extracts and of Berberine Isolated from Berberis heterophylla

FREILE, MONICA; GIANINI, FERNANDO; SORTINO, MAXIMILIANO; ZAMORA, MIGUEL; JUAREZ, AMÉRICO; ZACCHINO, SUSANA; ENRIZ, DANIEL

ACTA FARM. BONAERENSE

COLEGIO FARMACEUTICOS PROVINCIA DE BUENOS AIRES

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2006 vol. 25 p. 83 - 88

0326-2383

The in-vitro antifungal activity of aqueous extracts of Berberis heterophylla was evaluated, as well as the in vitro/in vivo antifungal activity of berberine isolated from Berberis heterophylla. In addition acute toxicity on fish and toxicity of berberine to embryo-larval stages of Bufo arenarum were tested. Berberine displayed a moderate but significant antifungal activity against dermatophytes fungi. Thus, the in vivo/ in vitro antifungal activity of this compound, combined with their lower toxic effect in comparison with the reference compounds, indicate that the potential of this alkaloid as a novel class of antifungal agent should be investigated more fully.