Abstract
Background: Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease and its cutaneous form manifests as ulcers or nodules, generally in exposed parts of the body. This work aimed to develop ivermectin (IVM) thermosensitive hydrogels as topical formulations to improve cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment. Materials & methods: Hydrogels based on poloxamers 407 and 188 with different concentrations of IVM were prepared and rheologically characterized. The IVM release profiles were obtained and mathematically analyzed using the Lumped model. Results: The formulation containing 1.5% w/w of IVM presented an adequate gelling temperature, an optimal complex viscosity and elastic modulus. Hydrogels allowed to modulate the release of IVM. Conclusion: IVM thermosensitive hydrogels can be considered a valuable alternative to improve the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
Authors would like to thank for financial support the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCyT) [grant number PICT 2017-4571], Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas [grant number 11220170100759CO], and Consejo de Investigación Universidad Nacional de Salta (CIUNSa) [grant numbers 2471, 2522]. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript
Ethical conduct of research
This article does not contain any studies involving human participants performed by any of the authors.