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Andrographolide nanoparticles in leishmaniasis: characterization and in vitro evaluations

Authors Roy P, Das S, Bera T, Mondol, Mukherjee A

Published 9 December 2010 Volume 2010:5 Pages 1113—1121

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S14787

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2



Partha Roy1, Suvadra Das1, Tanmoy Bera2, Subhasis Mondol2, Arup Mukherjee1
1Department of Chemical Technology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India; 2Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Abstract: Andrographolide (AG) is a diterpenoid lactone isolated from the leaves of Andrographis paniculata. AG is a potent and low-toxicity antileishmanial agent. Chemotherapy applications of AG are, however, seriously constrained because of poor bioavailability, short plasma half-life, and inappropriate tissue localization. Nanoparticulation of AG was therefore envisaged as a possible solution. AG nanoparticles (AGnp) loaded in 50:50 poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolic acid) were prepared for delivery into the monocyte–macrophage cells infested with the amastigote form of leishmanial parasite for evaluation in the chemotherapy of leishmaniasis. Particle characteristics of AGnp were optimized by proportionate application of a stabilizer, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Physicochemical characterization of AGnp by photon correlation spectroscopy exhibited an average particle size of 173 nm and zeta potential of -34.8 mV. Atomic force microscopy visualization revealed spherical nanoparticles with a smooth surface. Antileishmanial activity was found to be significant for the nanoparticle preparation with 4% PVA (IC50 34 µM) in about one-fourth of the dosage of the pure compound AG (IC50 160 µM). AGnp therefore have significant potential to target the infested macrophage cells and prove valuable in chemotherapy of neglected tropical diseases such as leishmaniasis.

Keywords: andrographolide, nanoparticles, antileishmanial chemotherapy

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