Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share By
The in Vitro Evaluation of Synergistic Effects of Ciprofloxacin and Berberine Hydrochloride Against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Publisher Pubmed



A Zeraatpisheh ANIS ; M Moradi MELIKA ; M Arshadi MANIYA ; B Taheri BEHROUZ ; M Zahmatkeshan MASSOMEH ; Fn Dehbashi Fereshteh NEZHAD ; F Esmaeli FARIBA ; B Amanzadi BENTOLHODA ; Z Farshadzadeh ZAHRA
Authors

Source: BMC Microbiology Published:2025


Abstract

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of severe infections, leading to significant morbidity and mortality rates due to its ability of biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. This study evaluates the in vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of ciprofloxacin and berberine hydrochloride, alone and in combination, against clinical and standard strains of P. aeruginosa. Methods: Clinical isolates of carbapenem-susceptible P. aeruginosa (CSPA), carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA), and the standard P. aeruginosa PAO1 strain were examined. Antimicrobial activity (MIC/MBC) and biofilm inhibition (MBIC/MBEC) were assessed using the microdilution method, checkerboard assay (FICI), and time-kill kinetics. Results: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ciprofloxacin and berberine hydrochloride ranged from 0.5 to 64 µg/mL and 593 to 1187 µg/mL, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) for both agents were ≥ 2× MIC. Neither ciprofloxacin nor berberine hydrochloride was able to eradicate 24-hour preformed biofilms (MBEC). However, biofilm prevention (MBIC) occurred at sub-MIC levels (0.5–1× MIC). The combination of ciprofloxacin and berberine hydrochloride demonstrated synergistic activity against PAO1 (FICI ≤ 0.5). The time-kill assay confirmed the bactericidal effect of this combination against PAO1 and CSPA isolates. Conclusion: Berberine hydrochloride may serve as a promising synergistic agent to enhance the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of ciprofloxacin in vitro. This combination warrants further exploration as a therapeutic strategy against resistant infections. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Related Docs
View other Related Docs
1. Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Gram-Negative Bacteria in an Iranian Referral Pediatric Hospital: A Present Danger of New Delhi Metallo-Β-Lactamase, Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets (2023)
2. Comparative In Vitro Activity of Carbapenems Against Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter Baumannii, Journal of Applied Microbiology (2016)
3. Meta-Analysis of Biofilm Formation, Antibiotic Resistance Pattern, and Biofilm-Related Genes in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolated From Clinical Samples, Microbial Drug Resistance (2020)
Experts (# of related papers)
View all Related Experts
Abbas Bahador (2)
Fereshteh Jabalameli (2)
Other Related Docs
4. In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Dermcidin-1L Against Extensively-Drug-Resistant and Pandrug-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii, Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology (2017)
5. Coordination of Las Regulated Virulence Factors With Multidrug-Resistant and Extensively Drug-Resistant in Superbug Strains of P. Aeruginosa, Molecular Biology Reports (2020)
6. In Vitro Investigation of Relationship Between Quorum-Sensing System Genes, Biofilm Forming Ability, and Drug Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, BMC Microbiology (2024)
7. Effects of Poly-N-Isopropylacrylamide Microgels Containing Antibiofilm Substances on Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolated From Chronic Wounds, Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology (2022)
8. Assessment of Biofilm Formation Among Acinetobacterbaumannii Strains Isolated From Burned Patients, Der Pharmacia Lettre (2016)
9. The Diversity of Class B and Class D Carbapenemases in Clinical Acinetobacter Baumannii Isolates, Infezioni in Medicina (2018)
10. Virulence Genes Profile of Multidrug Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolated From Iranian Children With Utis, Acta Medica Iranica (2016)
11. New Coumarin Derivatives From Ferula Pseudalliacea With Antibacterial Activity, Natural Product Research (2016)
12. Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern of Acinetobacter: A Multicenter Study, Comparing European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (Eucast) and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (Clsi): Evaluation of Susceptibility Testing Methods for Polymyxin, Immunopathologia Persa (2021)
13. Prevalence of Colistin Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Frontiers in Microbiology (2024)
14. Determination of Carbapenem Resistance Mechanism in Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolated From Burn Patients, in Tehran, Iran, Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health (2017)
15. Survey of Various Carbapenem-Resistant Mechanisms of Acinetobacter Baumannii and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolated From Clinical Samples in Iran, Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences (2020)
16. Molecular Epidemiology of Carbapenemase-Producing Pseudomonas Aeruginosa: An Iranian Referral Hospital-Based Study, Foodborne pathogens and disease (2025)
17. Investigation of Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) Extract on the Inhibition of Biofilm Formation by Acinetobacter Baumannii Strains Isolated From Clinical Samples, Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research (2025)
18. Inhibitory-Based Method for Detection of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Carbapenemase Acinetobacter Baumannii Isolated From Burn Patients, Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology (2015)
19. The Effects of Berberine and Palmatine on Efflux Pumps Inhibition With Different Gene Patterns in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolated From Burn Infections, Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology (2017)
20. Characterization of Biofilm Formation and Virulence Factors of Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates From Paediatric Patients in Tehran, Iran, Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences (2020)