Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems for the treatment of neglected tropical protozoan diseases

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) comprise of a group of seventeen infectious conditions endemic in many developing countries. Among these diseases are three of protozoan origin, namely leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and African trypanosomiasis, caused by the parasites Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma cruzi, and Trypanosoma brucei respectively. These diseases have their own unique challenges which are associated with the development of effective prevention and treatment methods. Collectively, these parasitic diseases cause more deaths worldwide than all other NTDs combined. Moreover, many current therapies for these diseases are limited in their efficacy, possessing harmful or potentially fatal side effects at therapeutic doses. It is therefore imperative that new treatment strategies for these parasitic diseases are developed. Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising area of research in the therapy and prevention of NTDs. These delivery systems provide novel mechanisms for targeted drug delivery within the host, maximizing therapeutic effects while minimizing systemic side effects. Currently approved drugs may also be repackaged using these delivery systems, allowing for their potential use in NTDs of protozoan origin. Current research on these novel delivery systems has provided insight into possible indications, with evidence demonstrating their improved ability to specifically target pathogens, penetrate barriers within the host, and reduce toxicity with lower dose regimens. In this review, we will examine current research on these delivery systems, focusing on applications in the treatment of leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and African trypanosomiasis. Nanoparticulate systems present a unique therapeutic alternative through the repositioning of existing medications and directed drug delivery.(AU)

Recent trends in drug delivery systems: liposomal drug delivery system--preparation and characterisation.

Liposomes are potential drug carriers for variety of drugs, therapeutic proteins and diagnostic agents. Drug entrapment ability of liposomes makes it more useful in targetting of drugs to specific site within the body. Major components of liposomes include lipids, water, drugs, electrolytes, antioxidants, preservatives and viscosity inducing agents. Considering the widespread use of liposomes in drug therapy and problem of physico-chemical instabilities of liposomes, this article aims at giving an insight into various methods of preparation of different types of liposomes like, unilamellar and multilamellar vesicles, consideration of some critical aspects of manufacturing processes and the characterization of liposomal drug delivery system in reference to vesicle size distribution, determination of residual organic phase in the phospholipid bilayer system, per cent drug encapsulation and identification.

Criterios eticos para la promocion de medicamentos una perspectiva trascendente / Ethical discernment for drug promotion, a trascendental perspective

En virtud a la resolucion de la 41a Asamblea Mundial de la Salud (año 1988), referente a los criterios eticos de promocion de medicamentos (CEPM), se brinda informacion sintetizada sobre todos sus postulados; involucrando a todas las instancias en cuestion, para que adquieran conciencia de su necesidad y se implementen a la brevedad posible en los apises donde todavia no tienen vigencia historica. Hacemos referencias comparativas sobre su cumplimiento en diferentes paises, invocamos al sentido comun de los pueblos para su consolidacion como normas de promocion de medicamentos. Se impugna a la industria farmaceutica, la actual promocion de medicamentos en el mundo entero, advirtiendo que su mala practica de promocion es de conocimiento publico y que las autoridades de Salud de paises del Grupo Andino, entre ellos Bolivia, se han comprometido a implementar los criterios eticos de promocion a la brevedad posible