Berberine hydrochloride enhances the fluconazole susceptibility of Candida albicans through multiple targets

Transcriptomic sequencing revealed that berberine hydrochloride (BBH) downregulates key genes in Candida albicans associated with multiple pathways, including ergosterol synthesis, mitochondrial function, cell wall biosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, biofilm formation, and hyphal growth. These findings suggest that BBH disrupts critical cellular processes, contributing to the enhanced susceptibility of C. albicans to fluconazole (FLC). The transcriptomic data provide mechanistic insights into the multi-target effects of BBH, highlighting its potential to modulate gene expression and compromise fungal resilience.