Nanopharmaceuticals as a solution to neglected diseases: Is it possible?

Abstract

The study of neglected diseases has not received much attention, especially from public and private institutions over the last years, in terms of strong support for developing treatment for these diseases. Support in the form of substantial amounts of private and public investment is greatly needed in this area. Due to the lack of novel drugs for these diseases, nanobiotechnology has appeared as an important new breakthrough for the treatment of neglected diseases. Recently, very few reviews focusing on filiarasis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, malaria, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, trypanosomiasis, and tuberculosis, and dengue virus have been published. New developments in nanocarriers have made promising advances in the treatment of several kinds of diseases with less toxicity, high efficacy and improved bioavailability of drugs with extended release and fewer applications. This review deals with the current status of nanobiotechnology in the treatment of neglected diseases and highlights how it provides key tools for exploring new perspectives in the treatment of a wide range of diseases.

Personalized Nanomedicine: A Revolution at the Nanoscale

“…Finally, there is a group of diseases that has sometimes been defined as “neglected diseases” since it comprises diseases with poor visibility and low political impact, such as tuberculosis, malaria, leprosies and dengue virus infections, diseases that usually affect developing countries and are also known as “diseases of poverty” [52,53]. For this reason, public and private organizations from the developed countries have not traditionally invested in research into new treatments.…”

“…Nevertheless, researchers studying these diseases have seen nanomedicine as a promising alternative to develop efficient treatments. Although the number of studies devoted to these diseases is limited, some advancement in the nanotherapeutics for neglected diseases already exists [53]. Malaria is one of the most widespread diseases in Africa, due to the rapid transmission by mosquitoes, the resistance of most Plasmodium strains to available drugs and poor drug solubility and bioavailability, which leads to the administration of huge drug doses that usually cause toxicity.…”

“…Malaria is one of the most widespread diseases in Africa, due to the rapid transmission by mosquitoes, the resistance of most Plasmodium strains to available drugs and poor drug solubility and bioavailability, which leads to the administration of huge drug doses that usually cause toxicity. The encapsulation of the actives in nanocarriers has proven advantageous, such as the encapsulation of primaquine in liposomes and solid–lipid nanoparticles [53]. Much more effort is required before these products reach the market.…”

“…The advantages that nanomedicine could give are: reduction of drug dosage, decreased frequency of administration, and amelioration of side effects. However, these treatments are not already in clinic due to issues in selecting the administration route (oral vs. pulmonary) to enhance drug bioavailability [25,53]. …”

Silver and Silver Chloride Nanoparticles and their Anti-Tick Activity: a Mini Review

“…59 The effectiveness of silver nanoparticles as an alternative therapy for leishmaniasis, specifically by subcutaneous intralesional administration for cutaneous leishmaniasis was demonstrated. 60 Biogenic silver nanoparticles (mainly Ag 0 nanoparticles) against Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes showed to be 4-fold more effective than silver nanoparticles chemically synthesized. In vivo studies in infected mice demonstrated that the biogenic silver nanoparticles were equally effective as 300-fold higher doses of amphotericin B, and more effective than 4-fold higher doses of chemically synthesized one.…”