"Nanoparticles delivering nitric oxide have a potential effect against cutaneous leishmaniasis: an in vivo study"

Autores: Milena T Pelegrino, Fernanda Cabral, Amedea B. Seabra, Martha Ribeiro.

Instituições: Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp).

Autor apresentador: Milena Trevisan Pelegrino.

Resumo: Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by 20 species of protozoan parasites of genus Leishmania. In humans, it has been linked with two main clinical forms, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Tropical and subtropical countries are the most endemic regions. It has been estimated that around 1.0 million people are affected worldwide per year. The CL is current treated with pentavalent antimonials, however, those drugs are also linked to drug resistance and relapses cases. In this study, we aimed to synthesize and characterize a polymeric nanoparticle containing S-nitroso-MSA, a NO donor, to verify its potential to fight CL. Nitric oxide-releasing nanoparticles (NONPs) have been reported to have antimicrobial activity against several microorganisms. Recently, we have synthesized NONPs and shown their potential in vitro against Leishmania amazonensis. The nanoparticles were synthesized by ionotropic gelation method using chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate with a hydrodynamic size around 100 nm. Herein we evaluated the application of NONPs for the treatment of CL on infected BALB/c mice. Mice were treated with topical administration of NONPs (0.4, 1 and 2 mM) and the disease progression was investigated. Parasite burden and lesion size was substantially lower on animals receiving NONPs at 2 mM compared to untreated control. Moreover, clinical presentations suggested a healing of the animal’s wounds. This excellent outcome was sustained for at least 21 days after therapy even in one single dose of NONPs. Thus, we demonstrate that NONPs are suitable for topical administration and it is an attractive approach to treat CL.

Link do vídeo: https://youtu.be/zYwi5dNOQck

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