Comparative study of the efficacy of formulations containing fluconazole or paromomycin for topical treatment of infections by Leishmania (Leishmania) major and Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis

The development of alternative therapeutic approaches for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has received considerable attention in recent research, including the identification of formulations for topical treatment. In the present study, the activity of two formulations was evaluated in BALB/c mice experimentally infected with either Leishmania (Leishmania) major or L. (L.) amazonensis, a hydrophilic gel containing 10% paromomycin (PAHG) and a cream containing 1% fluconazole (FLUC). After development of ulcerated lesions, infected mice were divided into three groups of five animals each: (1) PA group: Lesions were covered with 50 mu l of PAHG; (2) FLUC group: Lesions were covered with 50 mu l of FLUC, and (3) placebo group: treated with gel without paromomycin. During and after treatment, the size of lesions was determined weekly using a caliper. The efficacy of PAHG was significantly higher than that observed for FLUC for both Leishmania species. The PAHG formulation was effective in promoting the healing of ulcers in all animals 28 days after the beginning of treatment, whereas none of the animals was cured by FLUC. These results suggest that the PAHG formulation could be suitable for clinical studies and may represent an alternative formulation for the topical treatment of CL.