Development, characterization, and in vitro biological performance of fluconazole-loaded microemulsions for the topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Biomed Res Int. 2015:2015:396894. doi: 10.1155/2015/396894. Epub 2015 Jan 12.

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a resistant form of leishmaniasis that is caused by a parasite belonging to the genus Leishmania. FLU-loaded microemulsions (MEs) were developed by phase diagram for topical administration of fluconazole (FLU) as prominent alternative to combat CL. Three MEs called F1, F2, and F3 (F1-60% 50 M phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 (PB) as aqueous phase, 10% cholesterol (CHO) as oil phase, and 30% soy phosphatidylcholine/oil polyoxyl-60 hydrogenated castor oil/sodium oleate (3/8/6) (S) as surfactant; F2-50% PB, 10% CHO, and 40% S; F3-40% PB, 10% CHO, and 50 % S) were characterized by droplet size analysis, zeta potential analysis, X-ray diffraction, continuous flow, texture profile analysis, and in vitro bioadhesion. MEs presented pseudoplastic flow and thixotropy was dependent on surfactant concentration. Droplet size was not affected by FLU. FLU-loaded MEs improved the FLU safety profile that was evaluated using red cell haemolysis and in vitro cytotoxicity assays with J-774 mouse macrophages. FLU-unloaded MEs did not exhibit leishmanicidal activity that was performed using MTT colourimetric assays; however, FLU-loaded MEs exhibited activity. Therefore, these MEs have potential to modulate FLU action, being a promising platform for drug delivery systems to treat CL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adhesiveness / drug effects
  • Administration, Topical
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Emulsions / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Fluconazole / administration & dosage*
  • Fluconazole / pharmacology
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use*
  • Hardness
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / drug therapy*
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Particle Size
  • Phase Transition / drug effects
  • Rheology / drug effects
  • Static Electricity
  • Sus scrofa
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Emulsions
  • Fluconazole