Nano-elastic liposomes as multidrug carrier of sodium stibogluconate and ketoconazole: A potential new approach for the topical treatment of cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Abstract

The present study evaluates the efficacy of sodium stibogluconate (SSG) co-loaded with ketoconazole (KTZ) in nano-elastic liposomes (NELs) for the topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). SSG-KTZ co-loaded NELs were developed and assessed for various physicochemical properties and anti-leishmanial potential. The optimized nano-vesicles have an average size of 212.8 ± 3.1 nm and entrapment efficiency of 61.2 ± 2.9%. SSG-KTZ co-loaded NELs displayed 5.37-fold higher skin permeation of SSG as compared to drug solution. SSG and KTZ displayed a synergistic interaction and flow cytometry revealed enhanced killing of DsRed Leishmania mexicana in infected macrophages. In-vitro and in-vivo anti-leishmanial studies indicated a 10.67-fold lower IC₅₀ value and a 35.33-fold reduced parasitic burden as compared with plain SSG solution, respectively. SSG-KTZ co-loaded NELs were found to be a promising approach for the topical treatment of CL.