Epoxy-a-lapachone in nanosystem: a prototype drug for leishmaniasis assessed in the binomial BALB/c - Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2024 Oct 28:119:e240115. doi: 10.1590/0074-02760240115. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

This perspective presents and supports arguments for a new formulation of epoxy-α-lapachone loaded microemulsion (ELAP-ME), a nanosystem, as a prototype drug for the treatment of leishmaniasis. The benefits of ELAP as a multitarget compound, with properties that affect key physiological pathways of Leishmania spp. are discussed. ELAP-ME demonstrated efficacy in murine infection models, particularly with the binomial BALB/c-Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. Furthermore, it is proposed that the technological maturity of ELAP-ME be classified as Technology Readiness Level 4 (TLR 4) within the context of innovative drugs for American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL).

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Leishmania mexicana / drug effects
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous* / drug therapy
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C*
  • Naphthoquinones*

Substances

  • Naphthoquinones
  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • alpha-lapachone

Grants and funding

CNPq (301744/2019-0; 152616/2022-5), FAPERJ (E-26/010.000983/2019; E-26/200.799/2021; E-26/204.189/2021; E-26/201.654/2021), CAPES (Finance Code 001). CRA is a research fellow at CNPq and CNE/FAPERJ institutions.