Biosynthesis, characterization and leishmanicidal activity of a biocomposite containing AgNPs-PVP-glucantime

Aim: Development of functionalized nanocomposites containing AgNPs-PVP-Glucantime (R) to evaluate their leishmanicidal activity as a novel method for improving the pharmacological properties of the drug Glucantime (R) against extracellular promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis in vitro to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis. Materials & methods: The silver nanoparticles and nanocomposites prepared containing silver nanoparticles, polyvinylpyrrolidone and different amounts of Glucantime were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and zeta potential analysis; in addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated. Results: The nanocomposites showed an inhibitory effect on the cellular viability of promastigote forms, with values of 47.06, 51.71 and 65.67% for nanocomposite(1), nanocomposite(2) and nanocomposite(3), respectively, as well as a dose-dependent decrease in the infectivity index, with values of 33.33 and 23% for nanocomposite(2) and nanocomposite(3), respectively. Conclusion: The proposed nanocomposite reveals leishmanial activity and the absence of cytotoxicity in macrophages. Further investigations will be conducted in vivo.