An alternative system based on hydrogels of ivermectin for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

CINTIA A. BRIONES NIEVA; ANALIA I. ROMERO; NICOLÁS E. MINETTI; MERCEDES VILLEGAS; ALICIA G. CID; SANTIAGO N. CAMPOS; ELIO E. GONZO; JOSÉ M. BERMÚDEZ

Córdoba

Congreso; 6ta Reunión Internacional de Ciencias Farmacéuticas. RICiFa 2020+1; 2021

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease whose cutaneous form manifests as ulcers ornodules. Currently, the chemotherapy arsenal against infections with different forms of leishmaniasislacks security. Thus, drug repositioning can be a valuable R&D (Research and experimentaldevelopment) strategy. The aim of this work was the development and evaluation of thermosensitiveivermectin hydrogels (IVM) as an alternative treatment. Poloxamers 407 and 188 hydrogels withdifferent concentrations of IVM were prepared rheologically characterized to determine the sol-geltransition temperature and their viscoelastic behavior as a function of temperature. IVM releaseprofiles were obtained and mathematically analyzed using the Lumped model. Pharmaceuticalparameters such as the time required to reach 80% of the dissolved drug (t80%) and the dissolutionefficiency (DE) were also calculated. It was observed that the hydrogels allowed modulating therelease of IVM. The formulation containing 1.5%w/w IVM was the most suitable. It had an adequategelation temperature (26.99 °C), an optimal complex viscosity (35.7 Pa.s) and a low elastic modulus(212.6 Pa) at 25 °C. On the other hand, the t80% and the DE were 95 min and 14.6%, respectively. Thehydrogels modulated the release of IVM. These systems are a promising alternative to improve thetreatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.