Pune: The scientists at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune have announced the discovery of a drug delivery method that can benefit patients with lung diseases including pulmonary aspergillosis, cystic fibrosis, asthma, etc. The technique makes use of polymeric nanoparticles and might also help people suffering from cancer or HIV.
The method will utilize nanoparticles for controlled and efficient drug delivery. The focus of the existing anti-fungal medications is the fungal membrane, the resistance to which is gradually increasing. Considering this, the ARI team has created Nikkomycin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles using the chitin-producing inhibitor Nikkomycin. As the human cells lack chitin, a crucial component of fungal cell walls, antifungal medicines can specifically target these cells. It was observed that drug-loaded nanoparticles prevented the growth of Aspergillus species, resulting in the prevention of fungal illnesses such as Aspergillosis.
The technique formulated by the ARI team was found to have no cytotoxic or hemolytic effects. According to the institute, it can prove to be a safe alternative to pulmonary aspergillosis inhalation therapy. Going further, the research team aims to establish a public-private partnership to commercialize these antifungal nanoformulations.
Discussion about this post