The Characterization and Antileishmanial Evaluation on Leishmania Major with Chitosan/Zno Bio-Nanocomposite as Drug Delivery Systems

Background: Leishmaniasis is a global disease that poses a threat to human life and is associated with complications. Current medications have limitations due to serious side effects, costs and drug resistance. Nanotechnology has received increased attention in recent years, owing to its extensive range of applications in various fields including parasitology and its inherent therapeutic properties. Objective: This study was designed to assess the effects of chitosan and chitosanZnO nanocomposite interventions on Leishmania major. Methods: In this study, different concentrations of the nanocomposite were prepared (200, 100, 50 and 25 µg/mL), the parasite was cultured at 24, 48 and 72 h intervals and the viability of promastigotes and nanocomposite toxicity were evaluated by MTT assay. IC50 was determined by counting parasites. The inhibitory effect of the chitosan and nanocomposite were compared with standard drugs using different concentrations. Results: The IC50 for nanocomposite after 72 hours were 50 and 10 µg/mL for promastigotes and amastigotes, respectively. In addition, 15% toxicity of nanocomposite on macrophage cells was found. The MTT assay showed 18.54 % promastigote viability after 72 h exposure to 200 µg/mL concentration of nanocomposite. Results showed significant differences between treatment groups as compared to control groups. Conclusions: The above nanocomposites showed low toxicity and antileishmanial effects on both promastigote and amastigote forms. This study revealed anti-leishmanial activities of nanocomposites but further study is needed for in vivo evaluation of nanocomposites application for cutaneous leishmaniasis.