Topical photodynamic therapy with chloroaluminum phthalocyanine liposomes is as effective as systemic pentavalent antimony in the treatment of experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis.

BACKGROUND

In the Americas, one of the main causative species of cutaneous leishmaniasis is Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. The systemic antimonials remain the most largely used option for disease control. However, this drug has significant toxicity. The development of new alternative therapies, including the identification of effective drugs for topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis, is of utmost interest. In this sense, photodynamic therapy emerges as a new strategy. The aim of this study was to develop the chloroaluminum phthalocyanine-loaded liposome, characterize it, and evaluate its stability and efficacy in the topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. (L.) amazonensis.

METHODS

Liposomes composed of egg phosphatidylcholine were prepared by Bangham's method. Storage stability of phthalocyanine-loaded liposomes was evaluated at 30 and 60 days after preparation. For the in vivo evaluation, the animals were infected with L. (L.) amazonensis and divided into groups: chloroaluminium phthalocyanine-loaded liposome, blank liposome, meglumine antimoniate (200 mgSb+5/Kg/day), and control. The lesion size was determined weekly after the beginning of the treatment. Upon completion, parasites were recovered from the skin lesion and spleen and evaluated by limiting dilution assay.

RESULTS

Chloroaluminum phthalocyanine-loaded liposomes were stable and showed adequate characteristics for topical administration. The topical chloroaluminum phthalocyanine-loaded liposome was as effective as systemic pentavalent antimony in reducing the parasitic load in the lesion and spleen in infected animals.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed that photodynamic therapy with chloroaluminum phthalocyanine-loaded liposomes is a promising strategy for the treatment of American cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. (L.) amazonensis.