A Novel Approach to Combat Antibiotic Resistance in Nosocomial Infections: Exploring the Synergistic Potential of Berberine and Glycerol

Nosocomial infections, acquired during hospital treatment, are a significant challenge in healthcare settings. They are often caused by pathogens like E. coli, which have multiple virulence genes, making traditional treatments less effective due to antibiotic resistance. Berberine chloride (BC), a compound derived from the plant genus Berberis comprised of ~450-500 species, has shown antimicrobial activity against E. coli but its efficacy is limited when used alone. Combining BC with other antibiotics enhances its antimicrobial properties synergistically. Our research aims to improve BC's solubility in glycerol, enabling better dissolution in aqueous media without toxic co-solvents using Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay and solubility tests. This enhancement will optimize BC's therapeutic potential against nosocomial infections, providing valuable insights for more efficient treatment strategies.