Development of antileishmanial lipid nanocomplexes

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Parasitology

Background:

• Visceral leishmaniasis is a severe parasitic disease affecting millions globally.
• Drug-resistant Leishmania strains pose a significant challenge to current treatments.
• Novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to combat this neglected tropical disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a new lipid-based nanocochleate formulation for oral delivery.
• To combine two active drugs, Amphotericin B (AmB) and Miltefosine (HePC), within a single delivery system.
• To evaluate the physicochemical properties and in-vitro performance of the AmB-HePC-loaded nanocochleates.

Main Methods:

• Nanocochleates were prepared using dioleoylphosphatidylserine (DOPS), Cholesterol (Cho), and Ca(2+).
• Incorporation of AmB and HePC into the nanocochleate structure.
• Characterization included particle size, zeta potential, drug payload, in-vitro drug release, and stability studies.
• In-vitro gastrointestinal fluid stability was assessed for oral administration suitability.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared AmB-HePC-loaded nanocochleates with a mean particle size of 250 ± 2 nm.
• Achieved a drug payload of 29.9 ± 0.5 mg/g for AmB and 14.0 ± 0.9 mg/g for HePC.
• Demonstrated preferential drug release in intestinal medium with bile salts, indicating potential for oral absorption.

Conclusions:

• AmB-HePC-loaded nanocochleates represent a viable oral drug delivery system for visceral leishmaniasis.
• This formulation may offer a new therapeutic avenue against drug-resistant Leishmania parasites.
• Further research into in-vivo efficacy and safety is warranted for clinical translation.