Development and in vitro evaluation of cost effective amphotericin B polymeric emulsion

The most significant drawback of low oral bioavailability associated with an effective antifungal and anti-leishmanial agent, Amphotericin B (AmB), has been overcome either through costly liposomal preparations or through simple preparations associated with higher toxicity. In consideration of these challenges, novel cost effective topical emulsion of AmB has been developed using readily available ingredients like canola oil, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) carbopol and Tween 80. The lipo-polymeric particles prepared by solvent evaporation of emulsion were characterized for size and shape through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that freeze dried emulsions have relatively narrow particle size range of as small as 50 nm. The novel AmB emulsions were characterized for stability while thin layer chromatography (TLC) based assay confirmed the integrity of AmB in the formulated emulsion. AmB emulsion showed in vitro antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium solani. Additionally in vitro anti-leishmanial assay of emulsions showed 50% killing rate at 0.2 mu g/ml of AmB and 100% mortality with emulsions containing 20 mu g/ml of AmB. The novel emulsion has a great potential for large scale production of an AmB product for the treatment of topical fungal infections, cutaneous and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis.