Production and evaluation of the newly- formulated amphotericin B-loaded nanocapsules in the condition of in vitro: Toxicity and efficacy

Amphotericin B (AmB) is an old antifungal agent and the drug of choice for systemic fungal infection. Unfortunately, this antibiotic has shown some dose dependent side effects such as nephrotoxicity. Therefore, recently this study aimed at producing a newly-formulated in the codition of in vitro in order to reduce the effect of toxicity in this drug as well as increase its effectiveness.AmB nanocapsules were made from polymers, such as poly D and L-lactide-co-glycolide by means of a solvent displacement technique. The nanocapsules suspensions were then made into dried powder through the nanoprecipitation of polyesters using SiO2 as adjuvant. Next, the efficacy of the capsulated AmB was measured using spectrophotometry technique to be assessed and compared with other formulations. Besides,the MICs of these nanocapsules for Candida albicans (ATCC 90028) was determined and compared to those of the respective free AmB, using microdilution method. Finally, the effect of in vitro toxicity (haemolysis) of the nanocapsules was determined on human RBCs.Drug entrapment efficacy for nanocapsules was calculated as 75% ± 0.13. The MICs of AmB nanocapsules against Candida albicans tested were reduced as compared to those of free antibiotic. The AmB-loaded nanocapsules was found to be 5.89 times less toxic than free AmB in terms of the effect on RBCs. The results suggest that new AmB-loaded nanocapsules produced in this research may be an appropriate alternative for AmB to be used in the treatment of fungal infections.